‘House of the Dragon’: Aegon Lives! Actor Tom Glynn-Carney Talks Episode 5’s Shocking Survival
By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY
Spoiler Alert: This article discusses key plot details from Episode 5 of HBO’s “House of the Dragon.”
The burning question from last week’s dragon battle cliffhanger has been answered: King Aegon is alive, though barely.
After the intense Dragon Battle Royale in Episode 4, where Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) seemingly tried to kill his brother, King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), with the help of his dragon Vhagar, fans were left wondering about Aegon’s fate. In Sunday’s episode, titled “The Regent” (now streaming on Max), Aegon is shown clinging to life after miraculously surviving the dragon fire and a harrowing fall from the sky.
Aegon’s Miracle Survival
Glynn-Carney describes Aegon’s survival as nothing short of miraculous, attributing it to the protective Valyrian steel armor that melted into his skin and his dragon Sunfyre, who might have cushioned the fall. “It’s a small miracle,” the actor tells USA TODAY. “Maybe there’s a little hand of God involved. And those Targaryens are tough. He’s alive – for now.”
In the episode, Aegon is shown being carried to King’s Landing for intensive care, following a grueling 10-day journey from the Battle at Rook’s Rest. The scene marks a dramatic contrast from the earlier dragon battle, with Aegon now rendered almost unrecognizable due to his severe injuries.
A Grisly Recovery
The episode ventures into horror territory as the Maesters work frantically to save Aegon. Glynn-Carney spent hours in the makeup chair each day to achieve Aegon’s gruesome look, which included bits of melted armor, burnt clothing, and a severely swollen face. “Even his left hand is all shriveled up,” says Glynn-Carney, who describes the makeup process as leaving him “essentially blind in one eye.”
Director Clare Kilner adds that the scenes were designed to make viewers shiver, particularly the gruesome moment when Aegon’s broken leg is reset. The show’s attention to detail is evident in the lifelike prosthetics and the unsettling sounds of armor being peeled off burnt skin, making Aegon’s suffering painfully real.
A Mother’s Anguish
As Aegon struggles to breathe through his burnt and damaged throat, he manages to whisper a desperate “Mummy” when his mother, Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), visits him. Unfortunately, Alicent doesn’t hear his muted plea as she leaves the room, highlighting the tragic disconnect between the injured king and his mother.
With Aegon incapacitated, his brother Aemond steps in as the ruling regent, a move that causes concern among those loyal to Aegon, particularly Alicent. The tension between the brothers, already fraught, intensifies as Aemond takes on more power in Aegon’s absence.
The Drunken Battle
Reflecting on Aegon’s decision to enter the battle drunk, Glynn-Carney explains that Aegon, lacking the courage of other characters, relied on alcohol to numb his fears. “He doesn’t have the courage of the other characters. He needed to numb his fears. And wine was the best way to go about it,” the actor says.
The scene of Aegon flying on Sunfyre while intoxicated was thrilling for Glynn-Carney to film. “It was like riding my motorbike down the motorway, and putting your visor up. It took my breath away,” he says, describing the experience on the moving dragon machine.
What’s Next for Aegon?
As Aegon hangs on by a thread, the question remains whether he will survive his injuries and the looming threats, including his own brother. The battle for the Iron Throne is far from over, and Aegon’s fate remains uncertain in the dangerous world of “House of the Dragon.”
