What The Hell, Aemond?! Why He Did THAT In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, and the book Fire & Blood.

Summary Aemond Targaryen attempts to kill his brother, King Aegon II, driven by revenge and belief he should be king.

Aemond's attempt on Aegon's life is a new addition to George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.

Aegon's injuries keep him bedridden, allowing Aemond to rule as Prince Regent and amass an army against Daemon Targaryen.

Aemond Targaryen tries to kill his brother, King Aegon II Targaryen, in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, in a shocking twist that will have major ramifications moving forward. Although the show leaves it uncertain, I think it can be assumed King Aegon is not dead at the end of the episode, but nonetheless, he's going to be out of action for a while, and there's a lot to unpack with what Aemond did and why he did it.

The prince is no stranger to kinslaying, of course. Aemond killed his nephew, Lucerys Velaryon, in House of the Dragon season 1's ending, and he does actually succeed in murdering another member of his family here with the death of Rhaenys Targaryen, with Aemond's dragon, Vhagar, biting off the head of her dragon, Meleys, and sending them tumbling to their deaths. But it's attempted murder of Aegon that's more intriguing.

Related House Of The Dragon Timeline Confirmed & Explained House of the Dragon is set before Game of Thrones, but time jumps left some confused about how long it will cover. Here's the HotD timeline explained.

Aemond Trying To Kill Aegon Was About Revenge

House Of The Dragon Had Set This Up

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The direct setup for Aemond attempting to kill Aegon came in the previous episode, when the king found his brother at a brothel, lying with Slvyi. Aegon was quick to mock and try to humiliate his brother, and that happening to Aemond in the one place where he clearly allows himself to actually be vulnerable makes it a particularly damaging moment that would have left him wanting revenge. The truth, though, is that this runs much deeper, and has technically been set up ever since they first appeared.

There are years of insults, slights, and a general resentment that have gone into this moment, with Aemond finally getting his chance to take revenge upon his older brother.

The dynamic between Aegon and Aemond wasn't too different in their younger days. Aegon could be cruel towards his younger brother, and mocked him relentlessly over his lack of a dragon (more so than the Strong boys Aemond called out). There are years of insults, slights, and a general resentment that have gone into this moment, with Aemond finally getting his chance to take revenge upon his older brother.

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Aemond Believes He, Not Aegon, Should Be King

Aemond Has Long Thought He'd Be A Better Ruler For Westeros

Aemond's attempt on Aegon's life is not just motivated by revenge, but also because he truly believes he would be a better king. This has long been clear - in the same way he believed he'd be a better husband for their sister, Helaena - Aemond has never hidden his feelings towards his brother and how ill-suited he is to ruling the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It was particularly highlighted in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9, when Aemond has to hunt down Aegon to force him to take the Iron Throne.

"Here I am, trawling the city, ever the good soldier in search of a wastrel who's never taken half an interest in his birthright. 'Tis I the younger brother who studies history and philosophy, it is I who trains with the sword, who rides the largest dragon in the world... I'm next in line to the throne. Should they come looking for me, I intend to be found."

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 serves as something of a continuation of this, but makes the difference between them even more stark. It is Aemond, not Aegon, who plans the war with Criston Cole. It is Aemond, not Aegon, who fluently speaks High Valyrian. And it is Aemond, not Aegon, who is going to fly into battle on his dragon. Aemond not only thinks he should be king, he's starting to act like he already is, and if he's gone that far then, combined with a thirst for revenge, why not try and take out the problem.

Does Aemond Try To Kill Aegon In The Book?

There's Another Change To George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood

Aemond attempting to kill his brother is a brand-new addition that does not happen in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood. The Battle at Rook's Rest is a little more straightforward in the book, with both Aegon and Aemond lying in wait as part of the plan, and they use their dragons to attack Rhaenys together. All three crash to the ground, killing Rhaenys and Meleys, while Aegon suffers injuries and burns across his body. It is, of course, possible that is just how history presents it, and that this is the truth of the matter that was covered up.

House Of The Dragon Season 2's Remaining Episodes Episode # Release Date 5 July 14 6 July 21 7 July 28 8 August 4

What Happens To Aemond After Trying To Kill Aegon

The Book Does Reveal What Aemond Does Next

Aemond may not succeed in killing Aegon, but he does succeed in his goal of getting on the Iron Throne. In the book, Aegon's injuries keep him bedridden for around a year, often asleep and in need of milk of the poppy. Aemond takes his crown, the Iron Throne, and rules as Prince Regent in that time. That will include, eventually, he and Cole amassing an army to march against Daemon Targaryen and Harrenhal, though that may not fully play out until House of the Dragon season 3.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.