A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Egg's Targaryen Lineage Exposed
The latest instalment of the Game of Thrones prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has delivered a monumental revelation that reshapes our understanding of Westerosi history. Episode 3, titled The Squire, finally uncovers the true identity of the young squire Egg, portrayed by Dexter Sol Ansell, sending shockwaves through the fan community.
The Shocking Revelation: Egg is Aegon V Targaryen
In a dramatic twist, Egg is revealed to be Aegon V Targaryen, a direct descendant of the legendary Targaryen dynasty and a future monarch destined for the Iron Throne. Throughout the series, Egg had meticulously concealed his royal heritage from his companion, Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall, played by Peter Claffey, in a desperate attempt to escape the madness that has historically plagued his bloodline.
Even his shaved head, a disguise to hide his distinctive white-blonde Targaryen hair, could not mask the truth forever as his natural locks began to re-emerge. This revelation not only explains Egg's mysterious past but also deepens the narrative tension as viewers witness his internal struggle with his destiny.
Clarifying the Connection to Game of Thrones' Mad King
Following a chilling prophecy about Egg's future reign, many fans speculated whether he might be the infamous Mad King from the original Game of Thrones series. However, this theory can be definitively dismissed. The Mad King is Aerys II Targaryen, portrayed by David Rintoul, whereas Egg is actually his grandfather, Aegon V Targaryen, also known as 'Aegon the Unlikely'.
The lineage unfolds as follows:
- Egg ascends to the Iron Throne as Aegon V
- He is succeeded by his son, Prince Jaehaerys II
- Jaehaerys II is then followed by his son, Aerys II, the Mad King
This places the events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms approximately ninety years before the timeline of Game of Thrones, providing crucial context for the Targaryen family's tragic descent into insanity.
The Haunting Legacy of Targaryen Madness
The fear of inherited madness is a central theme driving Egg's actions throughout the series. As depicted in Game of Thrones, generations of inbreeding within the Targaryen dynasty, aimed at preserving their bloodline's purity, ultimately led to psychological instability. This hereditary curse is already hinted at through characters like Prince Aerion, nicknamed 'Aerion the Monstrous', who displays early signs of the cruelty and madness that would later define his descendants.
Director Sarah Adina Smith, in HBO's Inside the Episode featurette, elaborated on the careful storytelling behind this reveal. "For those who were already fans of the novellas, they'll know that this reveal is coming. For everyone else, hopefully, it's a surprise and we wanted to do service to both audiences. If you were to go back, you would see all those little breadcrumbs," she explained, highlighting the series' meticulous foreshadowing.
This revelation not only enriches the narrative of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms but also strengthens its connection to the broader Game of Thrones universe, offering fans deeper insights into the complex history of Westeros and the tragic fate of the Targaryen dynasty.
