HBO Keeps Skipping The Story of Aegon’s Conquest

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George R.R. Martin built a captivating world filled with dragons, battles, and political schemes, attracting a devoted following. However, it was the compelling characters that truly kept people watching. His book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, served as the foundation for the HBO show Game of Thrones, which became known for its memorable and emotionally impactful characters – ones that audiences loved, hated, and felt deeply connected to, even when the show wasn’t always a critical success.

When the TV series ended in 2019, it felt like the end for the world of Westeros. However, George R.R. Martin’s books offer much more story to tell. Currently, HBO is airing two spin-off shows, both of which are enjoyable. Still, fans are especially eager to see one particular story adapted into a live-action series, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Aegon’s Conquest Would Be the Ultimate Game of Thrones Spin-Off

Game of Thrones brought George R.R. Martin’s fascinating world of Westeros to life, a place where good people often suffered while ambitious nobles schemed for power. The show revolutionized fantasy television, attracting viewers who hadn’t previously been fans of the genre. Its conclusion marked the end of an era for the series, but not for the world of Westeros itself.

George R.R. Martin’s history of the Targaryen dynasty, Fire & Blood, naturally led to the show House of the Dragon. However, focusing on Rhaenyra Targaryen, while interesting, wasn’t the best move for building a lasting franchise. The entire story of Game of Thrones ultimately began with Aegon the Conqueror, and highlighting his story would have been more strategically beneficial.

Three hundred years before the stories in A Song of Ice and Fire begin, everyone knows the tale of how the Targaryens took control of Westeros. However, the reality of their conquest was far more complex than simply Aegon and his sisters using their dragons to burn their way to power.

Aegon’s decision to invade Westeros stemmed from years of political tension. The Targaryen family arrived in Westeros after a massive volcanic eruption, known as the Doom of Valyria, which Daenys the Dreamer had predicted. They were the sole survivors with dragons, giving them a significant advantage when they landed.

The Targaryens initially enjoyed a peaceful existence on Dragonstone until a disagreement with another lord angered Aegon. He then declared himself king of the entire continent, promising to spare those who pledged loyalty but destroy anyone who refused. This marked the beginning of the Conquest, as it’s commonly known, with Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys using their dragons to take control of Westeros. Accounts suggest Aegon’s Conquest wasn’t a true battle, but rather a swift takeover.

Fire & Blood explains exactly how this decision came about and recounts the well-known battles that followed. Aegon won, establishing a royal family that ruled for nearly three hundred years. Without the history detailed in Fire & Blood, and the world it created, Game of Thrones wouldn’t have been as captivating.

Aegon Was Fundamental to Game of Thrones

Westeros was profoundly shaped by Aegon’s rule, and its impact continued to be felt centuries later, even during the time depicted in the HBO series. Arya Stark enjoyed hearing tales about him, particularly because of a connection to her own history: she was imprisoned by the Lannisters at Harrenhal, a place still bearing the marks of Aegon’s conquest.

As a huge history buff – and a fan of Westeros lore – I’ve always been fascinated by Harren the Black. He was a truly awful ruler, feared throughout the continent and with no regard for the people he governed. He was the king of the Iron Islands and obsessed with building Harrenhal, a massive castle meant to showcase his power. But he built it at a terrible cost – he basically stripped the surrounding lands bare, leaving the common folk destitute. When Aegon finally arrived at Harrenhal, it wasn’t just a battle, it was a liberation for many who absolutely hated the guy.

This story illustrates how Aegon and his sisters remained well-known figures. Harren’s deeds and Aegon’s destruction of his castle led to a lasting curse – no one could hold the castle for long without misfortune befalling them. This unsettling history made it an ideal location for the Lannisters to imprison enemies during the War of the Five Kings.

Aegon is best known for uniting all Seven Kingdoms, an achievement that would cause conflict for centuries to come. Before Aegon, the city of King’s Landing didn’t exist. He built it on the very spot where he and his sisters first arrived, establishing it as the capital and center of his power.

Aegon Targaryen is known for creating the Iron Throne – a seat forged from the melted weapons of his enemies. This detail became a popular element of the Game of Thrones story, especially for fans of the books. Many believe House of the Dragon would have been more compelling if it had focused on the story of Aegon the Conqueror instead.

After the War of the Five Kings concluded, it would have made sense to show viewers how the fight for the Iron Throne actually started. This would have been particularly useful before HBO began filming the series. While the battle between Rhaenyra and Aegon III eventually helped fans understand the timeline, it would have been much simpler if a series focusing on Aegon had come first, providing viewers with the necessary background for the later Targaryen stories.

The Dance of Dragons Would Work Better With More Context

The Targaryen family has a long and complicated history, but it began with just three key figures: Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys. They were the only Targaryens who mattered in Westeros at the time, and were relatively peaceful with their neighbors until Aegon launched his conquest. Once the conquest began, these three were the rulers everyone focused on.

The Targaryen family history became incredibly complicated. They often married close relatives and repeatedly used the same names for their children, making it difficult to follow who was who. House of the Dragon would have been easier to follow if viewers had a clear understanding of the Targaryen lineage from the start.

The Targaryen family tree became complicated right away because Aegon the Conqueror had children with both of his sisters, Visenya and Rhaenys. Visenya had a son, while Rhaenys gave birth to Aenys several years earlier. While marrying close relatives like cousins and siblings made the Targaryens powerful, it also created the central conflict in House of the Dragon.

With so many Targaryens vying for the throne, and no clear heir, a Great Council was convened to decide who should rule. Viserys was ultimately chosen as the successor, despite Rhaenys – who had a stronger claim based on lineage – being passed over.

Right from the start of House of the Dragon, the show hinted at the complex rules of succession. However, it’s still difficult to understand them without knowing the basics. The number of characters named Aegon actually became a key part of the story, ultimately leading to a war between siblings.

Even smaller problems would have felt more significant if we’d seen Aegon’s Conquest happen firsthand. While the ruined state of Harrenhal shows the results of his battles, it would have been much more impactful to actually see Aegon burn it down. The show gave us a taste of the destruction when Daemon Targaryen arrived, ostensibly to rally support for Rhaenyra. The previous owners, the Strong family, had already perished in a fire, contributing to the belief that Harrenhal is cursed.

His time there completely dominated his storyline for the season. Whether viewers liked it or not, it also deepened the mystery surrounding Harrenahl and Aegon’s history. Aegon’s story has been crucial to the overall narrative of Game of Thrones, ultimately leading to Daenerys Targaryen’s journey back to Westeros.

Daenerys Targaryen fought to claim what she believed was her rightful inheritance, a tradition started by her family. It would have been interesting to see Aegon begin this pattern of conquest much earlier, before the events of Game of Thrones. While House of the Dragon was promising, its placement in the timeline feels somewhat arbitrary. The franchise seems hesitant to fully explore its most violent period, and a spin-off focusing on this era would be a logical next step for the Game of Thrones universe.

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2026-01-22 05:38