Why Aegon Doesn't Kill Aemond In House Of The Dragon's Season 3 Finale

Published Aug 10, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT Jordan is the Senior Editor for Movies & TV News at Screen Rant. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Media Studies. An editor, writer, and digital media specialist based in New York City, you can also find her bylines on Business Insider. Jordan originally hails from Washington State, giving her an undying loyalty to any Seattle sports team, though she's also spent time in Virginia, Oregon, and New Orleans. She runs on coffee and classic movies, taking pride in having seen every film on AFI's 100 Greatest Films list and every Best Picture Oscar winner. WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon's season 3 finale! Aegon and Aemond's House of the Dragon reunion shockingly culminates in a truce rather than a bloody confrontation. After Aemond tried to kill Aegon in House of the Dragon season 2 and steal his authority, the latter swore to take revenge against his brother after fleeing King's Landing. However, once Aegon reunites with Sunfyre and flies to Harrenhal to confront Aemond in the season 3 finale, revealing his survival and even stating that he should kill him, Aegon ultimately spares his younger brother and instead compels him to help take back the Iron Throne. Aegon and Aemond's Harrenhal reunion in House of the Dragon season 3's ending wasn't part of George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood book, making the context of the scene's setup for season 4 and why Aegon chose to spare Aemond exclusive to the series. In a press conference for the season 3 finale, which ScreenRant attended, House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal clarified why Aegon doesn't kill Aemond despite previously claiming he would, explaining that Aemond's profound changes and his potential as an ally with Vhagar are too great for Aegon to abandon as he tries to reclaim the throne: Ryan Condal: “Aegon has learned a lot in season 3. And even though he’s still angry with his brother and has agendas, I think what he realized in his evolution is that he does deserve a lot of the things that happened to him, probably in some way, and, had to learn how to be a better king, and perhaps that he needed to be away and walk amongst the people as a pauper. The irony of the season is that Aegon, now not in the proximity of the throne, goes on this incredible character evolution, where he becomes a much more dimensionalized man, who is more sympathetic and possibly more suited to rule. And then Rhaenyra, in the proximity of the Thorne, is turned and altered and somewhat corrupted by being in its orbit. I think if Aegon had shown up and just killed Aemond, it really would not have marked a growth in the character. It’s him seeing Aemond’s change, then realizing where he is standing with his dragon, and suddenly this incredible wind of legitimacy behind him, now that the realm is calling him the second... he's basically... he’s experienced a messianic return. I think it would ruin and spoil that for him to kill the person that’s potentially his greatest and strongest ally.” While the Aegon of season 1 or 2 of House of the Dragon likely would have killed Aemond without hesitation, his journey throughout season 3 after losing power, living among the people, and learning more about what it takes to rule is keeping him from making the same hot-tempered, impulsive decisions he once would. Killing Aemond would only briefly give Aegon the satisfaction of revenge, whereas it would result in becoming a kinslayer and losing the strength of Vhagar's dragonrider. Aegon may have Sunfyre back and the support of more Westerosi people following his "messianic return," but he still has to face several powerful dragons with Rhaenyra and Syrax, Daemon and Caraxes, Addam and Seasmoke, Baela and Moondancer, Hugh and Vermithor, and – as far as he would know at the time – Ulf and Silverwing. He needs all the strength he can muster up in order to defeat Rhaenyra and take back the Iron Throne, which would seem nearly impossible without Aemond and Vhagar on his side. Condal also explains that Aegon sees a drastic change in Aemond that makes him less inclined to kill his brother. Aemond's arrogance, greed, and hunger for power seem to have been erased in that moment, with Aemond even inviting Aegon to kill him as a deserved punishment. If both hadn't gone through such extreme alterations while in hiding, a brutal stand-off between the two Targaryen family members might have been in order instead. While Condal teases that Aemond and Aegon will still have doubts about trusting one another in House of the Dragon season 4, it seems their alliance will be stronger than ever before when the hit Game of Thrones prequel series returns. At the end of their season 3 finale scene, Aegon reveals his plan for the two to find Aemond's missing dragon Vhagar, go to Tumbleton to put Daeron and Ormund in their place, all march to King's Landing and kill Rhaenyra, and place Aegon back on the Iron Throne. Ormund's death, Daeron seemingly going missing, and Tumbleton being in ruins will certainly complicate their plan, but their ultimate goal of reclaiming the Iron Throne remains. Plus, it's unclear how Alys Rivers will react to Aegon's plans for Aemond, given the two are now betrothed, and she wants to begin a Targaryen empire with Aemond at Harrenhal. Alicent's elder sons are seemingly allied once again, but it won't be smooth sailing in House of the Dragon season 4. Release Date August 21, 2022 Network HBO Directors Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel Cast Fabien Frankel Ser Criston Cole Writers Gabe Fonseca Franchise(s) Game of Thrones Creator(s) George R. R. Martin