Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the HBO show House of the Dragon.
The recently crowned King Aegon II Targaryen from House of the Dragon has caused quite a stir among fans on Twitter. His reluctance to accept the Conqueror’s crown, eventful coronation, and even his relationships with Queen Alicent and Aemond have made him the subject of numerous tweets.
The funniest tweets about Aegon often poke fun at his actions and mock his personality. He plays an important role in the finale of the first season (that’s out today, October 23), and will likely inspire even more gut-busting fan reactions on Twitter.
Hide And Seek
Aegon has already shown that he’s among the least likable characters in HotD, but his actions leading up to his coronation reminded fans why he’s unworthy of the Iron Throne. His cowardice gets the best of him and he decides to hide from his own Kingsguard, as well as Aemond and Ser Criston Cole.
A hilarious tweet ridicules the way Aegon hides from his responsibilities, likely curling up to fit into the tiny space he chooses. It’s a futile attempt at avoiding his duties, as he has made it clear more than once that he has no interest in the crown.
He Just Wants To Have Fun
Alicent has been insistent on preparing Aegon for his potential claim to the Throne, and she’s always disappointed to see him fall short and complain. According to the woman Aemond and Criston speak with, Aegon is more interested in indulging tastes that “are known to be less discriminating.”
A comedic tweet sums up Aegon’s attitude towards Alicent’s lectures about his responsibilities and his future. Aegon just wants to indulge his questionable desires and wreak havoc on Westeros on a smaller scale, which is preferable considering the alternative.
Up To No Good
An extensive search leads two knights to a horrific event, which features children fighting each other as adults cheer them on. Ser Erryk explains that the children are around ten years old, with some sporting long nails and filed teeth to be better fighters. In the corner, a white-haired boy stares blankly, with one of the knights remarking that he’s “one of many” of Aegon’s.
This sad scene is referenced in a comical tweet highlighting the ridiculous lack of ability Aegon has for any of his wild actions. He just wants to go around and enjoy himself and doesn’t think at all about any consequences.
Not That Aegon
One of the most frustrating scenes in the show happens right before King Viserys’ death, as he mistakenly believes he’s talking to Rhaenyra about her role in “The Song of Ice and Fire.” He’s actually saying his last words to Alicent, who misunderstands his words about Aegon the Conqueror and thinks he’s talking about their unruly son, Aegon.
A relatable tweet mocks this outrageous mistake, as all of the chaos could have been avoided if Alicent had just not assumed that he wanted Aegon to rule. The moment goes on to become the shaky foundation of Aegon’s claim to the Throne, which rightly belongs to Rhaenyra.
Applause
It seems to take a while for it to sink in for both Aegon and everyone present at the coronation that he’s actually the King. This is true for the smallfolk as well, who expected Rhaenyra to take the Throne thanks to her father’s publicity about her being the heir.
A gut-busting tweet satirizes the way the knights of the Kingsguard have to impress upon the crowd to cheer for their new ruler. They’re soon cheering as loud as they can, which is a treasonous scene that’s thankfully interrupted by Rhaenys and Melys.
He Doesn’t Want It
Aegon hasn’t exactly been quiet about his distaste for the responsibilities that come with sitting on the Iron Throne. From a young age, he has resisted Alicent’s efforts at disciplining him and reminding him about his potential claim to the Throne. Even minutes before the coronation, he’s begging Aemond to just let him run away so he can claim the crown for himself.
A thought-provoking tweet emphasizes Aegon’s lack of interest and actual refusal of anything that has to do with being King. It makes no sense to force him onto the Throne when the rightful heir, Rhaenyra, is ready and willing to rule.
An Unfair Fight
Despite clearly angling for the Iron Throne himself, Aemond still helps Criston look for his irresponsible brother. Along the way, his resentment for this task and for Aegon’s role, in general, becomes obvious. This all builds up to a fistfight between him and Aegon, with Aemond’s annoyance getting the best of him.
A tweet points out one sidesplitting moment in the fight, which shows Aegon spitting on Aemond’s eye in a pointless attempt to get him to back off. The fact that Aemond literally has to wrestle him to get him back in time for the coronation is indicative of just how much Aegon detests the Iron Throne.
It’s Rhaenyra’s Throne
Anyone who knows him is aware of Aegon’s complete lack of desire to rule Westeros. He even goes as far as running away and hiding right before his coronation. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, has always been vocal about her claim to the Throne. She’s eager to be crowned and to use everything she knows to be an effective ruler.
This contrast is seen in an amusing tweet that underscores how outrageous it is to install the inexperienced rowdy boy and not the fierce and intelligent Princess. Aegon himself tells Aemond that he has “no wish to rule” and “no taste for duty” as he begged his brother to set him free.
A Mother’s Love
It’s an understatement to say that Alicent has a complicated relationship with her children, especially Aegon. Most scenes that feature the two of them show the Queen punishing or berating the young Prince, who has never lived up to her (or anyone’s) standards for a potential heir to the Throne.
A witty tweet highlights this unhealthy mother-and-son dynamic, as Aegon’s question about whether Alicent loves him or not speaks volumes about their past. Aegon has only heard how disappointed, angry, and irritated Alicent often is with him, as, just like Otto did with her, she treated her son more like a pawn than a person.
Now He Wants It
Aegon kept resisting every step to get him to his own coronation until he had no choice but to walk through the crowd of smallfolk and receive his crown. He soon understands the unmatchable power it brings, as everyone on stage bows to him before the audience begins to cheer loudly for their new King.
Absolute power corrupts, and, as a silly meme points out, Aegon is soon unable to resist embracing his newfound influence over his domain. It’s scary to see how enthusiastic he suddenly becomes because of the praise from the people, when, moments ago, he was begging Aemond to let him flee on a ship.