There’s no denying thatGame of Throneswas once one of the most popular IPs in the world. Throughout the 2010s, the mega-hit HBO series was consistently breaking records and blowing minds. Even in its last couple of seasons, when a lot of fans believed the show’s quality fell off dramatically,Game of Thronesmanaged to pull in some truly gargantuan viewership numbers. With that in mind, it’s no wonder why Warner Bros. and HBO are so interested in keeping the adult fantasy world of Westeros alive and active. In the years since theGame of Thronesfinale, there have been numerous prequels and spin-offs that have entered development; the first of which,House of the Dragon, premiered its first season last year to great success.
Although the second season ofHouse of the Dragonlikely won’t air until 2024,Game of Thronesfans don’t need to worry about a lack of content coming down the pipe. Other spin-offs and prequels in development include a sequel series focused on Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow, a series about Corlys Velaryon titledThe Sea Snake,and numerous other shows such as10,000 ShipsandTales of Dunk and Egg. The latest spin-off series that WB and HBO have begun considering is one based onthe legendary story of Aegon the Conqueror. With the success ofHouse of the Dragon, another Targaryen-centric series seems like it could be a good idea, but is the story of Aegon I Targaryen really that different from Daenerys, Rhaenyra, Daemon and any of the other Targaryens we’re already familiar with?
Related:Jon Snow: The Pros and Cons of the New Game of Thrones Spin-off
What Is the Story?
The story of Aegon the Conqueror unfolds about 100 years prior to the events ofHouse of the Dragon, which itself is 200 years before the originalGame of Thronesseries. Aegon I was the latest heir in the Targaryen line, which hadescaped the Doom of Valyria, the destruction of their homeland in Essos. The Targaryen family fled to Westeros and made a new home on the island of Dragonstone, however, after a century of their residence there, Aegon I’s ambition turned his attention to the entirety of Westeros. He, along with his two sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, undertook an invasion of Westeros with the intent of taking all the Seven Kingdoms under his control. Aegon I’s success established the Targaryen dynasty as rulers in Westeros, which eventually led to the events of bothHouse of the DragonandGame of Thrones.
If the story of Aegon the Conqueror was made intoa fullGame of Thronesspin-off/prequel series, it would likely be one of the most war-centric Westerosi stories brought to the screen yet. Aegon is a legendary figure in Westeros for a reason. He was a key part of the history which established the world and society of Westeros as fans of the HBO series know it. A series depicting his conquest would provide a deeper look into how that history unfolded. The show would likely show the invasion and wars with each of the Seven Kingdoms throughout several seasons, ultimately building to Aegon’s victory and the forging of the Iron Throne itself.
Related:Game of Thrones: Every Person Who Has Sat on The Iron Throne in the Franchise, Ranked
Too Similar to House of the Dragon?
There is one obvious objection to developing an Aegon the Conqueror HBO series. It could be too similar toHouse of the Dragon, which depicts the civil war among Aegon’s royal descendants just 100 years later. Do we really need another show about the Targaryens? The world ofGame of Thronesis massive. It extends far beyondthe reaches of the Targaryen dynasty. There are many different characters, cultures, and stories that are worth being explored on-screen. To revisit that specific dragon family once again could bring the franchise even further into the repetitious state many believe it is already in.
On top of that, how different would the plot of this show actually be fromHouse of the Dragon? While die-hardSong of Ice and Firefans would no doubt eat it up, that’s because they are already more thoroughly familiar with these characters and their differences than general audiences. To casual viewers, the story of Aegon the Conqueror could easily just come off as yet another take on the same story we’ve seen across several series now.
This particular story feels like it would be better served if it were depicted through flashbacks inHouse of the Dragon, rather than in its own separate series. Or perhaps, if HBO really wants to dedicate a full show to it, Aegon the Conqueror’s story could exist under the same branding asHouse of the Dragon, as something along the lines ofHouse of the Dragon: Aegon’s Conquest. But is it really worth it to go through all the necessary explanations to casual audiences at that point?
Don’t get us wrong, it would be awesome to see Aegon the Conqueror brought to life on screen. He’s one of the most epic characters to exist within the dense lore created by George R.R. Martin. However, is his story really what needs to be prioritized right now? BeforeHouse of the Dragon, there was already a lot of debate aboutwhetherGame of Thronescould support spin-offs and prequelsin the first place.
By making yet another show about the Targaryen family, HBO would be unnecessarily putting all the franchise’s weight on one corner of the story, instead of spreading that weight across several different verticals. There are already numerous other spin-offs that have nothing to do with the Targaryens in the works. If theGame of Thronesbrand is to survive long-term, it’d be best to give the Targaryens a break followingHouse of the Dragonand instead focus on pretty much any other aspect of this world for a little while.
