“The only thing that can destroy House Targaryen is House Targaryen.” ~ House of the Dragon Season 1. Yes, you read that right. The above statement is the opening line of House of the Dragon Season 1, the story of one of the most powerful Houses that ever ruled Westeros: House Targaryen.
In a recent announcement, George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones universe is ready to set the stage for a Game of Thrones spinoff—Aegon’s Conquest.
Hundreds of years before the events of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, this new spinoff promises to take viewers back to the beginning of House Targaryen.
This saga starts when Aegon I, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, rode across the Narrow Sea on his dragon, Balerion the Black Dread, making the rulers of Westeros kneel to his will. Fans of the series cannot wait to delve deeper into the foundations of the most powerful Targaryen dynasty.
When and Where to Watch?
Although a specific release date has yet to be announced by the show’s creator Mattson Tomlin, speculations predict that the series will air on HBO somewhere around late 2025 or early 2026.
With the gigantic success of House of the Dragon Season 2, which aired earlier this year, HBO is now setting the stage for Aegon’s Conquest, aiming to create a show that once again meets the high standards set by its predecessors. Production updates are expected to follow throughout 2024, with the cast and locations to be revealed soon.
Know the Cast: Who is This Unsung Hero Aegon I?
At the core of Aegon’s Conquest lies Aegon I Targaryen, popularly known as Aegon the Conqueror, the first ruler who succeeded in uniting the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
Born on Dragonstone, his conquest was the stepping stone in establishing the legacy of the great House Targaryen, which ruled Westeros for the next three hundred years.
Who is Balerion the Black Dread?
Whenever Aegon I is mentioned, no one can fail to recall the mightiest, most petrifying, and gigantic dragon ever to fly in the sky: Balerion the Black Dread. Balerion was the largest and most fearsome dragon that ever existed in the Targaryen family.
Known for his immense size, black wings, and dark scales, Balerion was the asset that gave House Targaryen true power over all the noble families. With Balerion, Aegon rained fire on his enemies, turning war into a game of sport.
Even the most honorable and resistant lords had to bend their knees because of the sheer terror inspired by Balerion the Black Dread.
What to Expect from the Plot?
Despite no official details being released, it can be speculated that Aegon’s Conquest will begin at the point where Aegon I decides to ride across the Narrow Sea and rule the Seven Kingdoms.
According to George R.R. Martin’s books, Aegon initially had a very small army, but with the support of his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys, and their dragons, he managed to defeat the noble houses, from the Lannisters to the Baratheons.
The show is expected to unearth the political and military intricacies and strategic brilliance that led to Aegon’s victory. From the ashes of Harrenhal to the decimation of the armies of the Reach, the show is expected to depict some of the deadliest battles ever recorded in the history of Westeros.
So far, audiences have seen the fall of the Targaryen family. However, one of the key aspects of Aegon’s Conquest will be to show the rise of the Targaryen family.
The portrayal of Targaryen strength and unity in Aegon’s Conquest is expected to stand in contrast to the downfall of House Targaryen shown in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
While House of the Dragon explored the internal conflict and envy within the Targaryen family that eventually led to its downfall, Aegon’s Conquest is expected to showcase the strength and unity of House Targaryen, making it the most powerful dynasty in the history of Westeros.
“Dragons make us kings,” said Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. While fans have already witnessed how dragons are the real kingmakers, in Aegon’s Conquest, they will see the rise of their most beloved dynasty—House Targaryen.
House of the Dragon: Season 2 Finale Summary
Dragons. Fire. Emotion. Boom. A speedrun reads as follows: heavy emotional climax between Rhaenyra and Alicent, ending with a scene in which Rhaenyra is left surrounded by scrolls of Targaryen past and Alicent apprehensively gazing upon at Dragonstone, showing the fans their respective paths.
This sets the stage for Season 3 and also gives fans a better understanding of the whole timeline and the genealogy of the Targaryen dynasty, making them even more excited for Aegon’s conquest.
“You Know Nothing, Jon Snow”, But What Do We Know?
Fans have always been fascinated by the turmoil of House Targaryen, be it in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, or now Aegon’s Conquest.
The upcoming series is expected to finally complete the Targaryen saga by showing the foundations of the family’s rise, contrasting with the near downfall of House Targaryen seen in Game of Thrones, where Jon Snow (a secret Targaryen) and Daenerys Targaryen were key figures.
Aegon’s Conquest is all set to join the Westeros odyssey, with dragons, battles, magic, and conspiracies, just like its predecessors. Until we finally witness this on our screens, it’s time to brush up on our GoT knowledge!
About Aegon’s Conquest
Aegon’s Conquest depicts the rise of the Targaryens, and will be the ideal counterweight to House of the Dragon, which depicts the royal house’s inevitable decline. Even if the Game of Thrones universe has a very fascinating history, Aegon’s Conquest touches on one of the most significant because it is the age that would have the greatest influence on the events of the original series.
HBO was planning a major franchise even before Game of Thrones ended, and now the spinoff Aegon’s Conquest is starting to take shape. The release date is still under wraps, but it is expected that the first season would be released in 2025.
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