Movies

You Won’t Believe Which Game of Thrones Character Has a Major Role in HBO’s New Spin-off!

BBG News

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: The Targaryens, hailing from Old Valyria, are an enigmatic dynasty that left lasting legends in Westeros. Some of their members subtly shaped history, and one such man was Aemon Targaryen. To the general public, he’s known as Maester Aemon, a member of the Night’s Watch who offered wise counsel to characters like Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly. Yet, Aemon was far more than just a sage advisor; his true depth and impact on the storyline are much greater than many realize.

The forthcoming series, titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight“, is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novella series, “Tales of Dunk and Egg“. The initial season will follow the first novella, named “The Hedge Knight“. Fans of Westeros are eagerly anticipating a fresh cast, with Peter Claffey stepping into the role of Ser Duncan the Tall, and Dexter Sol Ansell taking on the character of Prince Aegon V Targaryen. Surprisingly, there may appear a recurring face that some might not have anticipated: Aemon Targaryen, who will later be known as Maester at Castle Black.

The Targaryen Who Rejected the Iron Throne

In the year 198 After Conquest, Aemon Targaryen, named after Aemon the Dragonknight, came into being in King’s Landing. He was the third-born child of King Maekar I and Lady Dyanna Dayne. Aemon had five siblings: Aerion, Daeron, Daella, Aegon V, and Rhae. At the time of his birth, his father, Maekar, was not in line to claim the throne as he was the youngest son of King Daeron II. However, due to a series of unexpected deaths, Maekar eventually rose to the throne, making Aemon and his siblings potential heirs to the Iron Throne.

From an early age, Aemon nurtured a deep affection for books. He was intelligent yet quiet and kind, forming a strong bond with his younger brother, Aegon, who was three years his junior. Both siblings shared a fascination with dragons; as children, they frequently played make-believe, imagining their dragon eggs had hatched. Aemon was the one who bestowed the nickname “Egg” upon Aegon V, a moniker that would stick with him throughout his lifetime. At the age of nine, against his father Maekor’s wishes, King Daeron sent the young Aemon to Oldtown’s Citadel for studies aimed at becoming a Maester.

Daeron harbored concerns that an abundance of Targaryen heirs might pose a threat, while Aemon appeared ideally suited for such a position. As the third child of Maekar, it seemed extremely improbable that Aemon would ever ascend to the throne. Decade later, at 19, Aemon assumed the role of Maester and was stationed at a noble’s court. When his father, Maekar, ascended to the throne in 221 AC, Aemon was already 23 years old. Upon becoming King, Maekar called his sons to court. However, Aemon declined to join the Small Council due to apprehensions about ousting the current Grand Maester.

Instead, Aemon served at Dragonstone, the stronghold of his elder brother Daeron, until Daeron succumbed to the pox. When their father Maekar passed away in 233 AC during the Peake Uprising within the Dornish Marches, a Grand Council oversaw his succession. With Maekar’s eldest sons gone (Aerion perished while trying to transform into a dragon using wildfire), only two contenders remained: Aemon and Egg. Despite being the elder brother, Aemon’s vow as a Maester prevented him from ascending to the throne.

A group was against Egg becoming successful due to their perception of him as a commoner ruler. Egg was deeply compassionate towards the lesser folk, primarily due to his extensive journeys with Ser Duncan the Tall. This faction encouraged Aemon to cast off his Maester vows and claim the throne, but he refused. Although it’s not definitively known, it appears that Aemon may have chosen not to break his Maester oath, and he might have seen Egg as an excellent contender due to his ties with the lesser folk.

Apart from that, Aemon suggested Egg to send himself to the Wall as a way of ensuring no threats to his younger brother’s rule. Instead of sending him directly, Egg arranged for an honor guard, which included Brynden Rivers, Aemon and Aegon’s half-brother, to take the vows of the Night’s Watch alongside his elder sibling. Brynden later became the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Accompanying these recruits to the Wall was Aegon’s companion, the towering Ser Duncan.

Maester Aemon’s Significant Influence at the Night’s Watch

Maester Aemon spent 67 years serving at the Night’s Watch after joining at age 35, passing away at the ripe age of 102. Despite not being widely recognized among the general public due to the anonymity of the Night’s Watch, Aemon Targaryen was one of the most sage and selfless members of his royal family. While some may underestimate the impact he had on the realm, Aemon’s wisdom and influence were far greater than many realize.

As a film enthusiast captivated by the world of Westeros, I can’t help but marvel at the enigmatic Targaryens. While many bore the name, only a select few were graced with the ability to tame dragons – the Dragonriders. Yet, even fewer were Dragondreamers, individuals who could commune with dragons in their dreams. Aemon was one such individual, often seen as one of the few sane Targaryens, for dragon dreaming often drove others into madness. Remarkably, his half-brother Brynden Rivers shared this unique gift, also possessing the power of Greenseeing. It’s plausible that both brothers were privy to the prophetic dream of Aegon the Conqueror, a revelation we, the audience, were fortunate enough to uncover in “House of the Dragon.

It was smart to assign the two brothers to the Night’s Watch, since they could monitor the Night King’s actions and try to avert the Long Night. At the Night’s Watch, Aemon turned out to be invaluable, often offering insightful advice to various Lord Commanders. Due to a gap of about 90 years between the events depicted in George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight novella and Game of Thrones, we don’t know much about this time period. However, George R. R. Martin’s books offer many fascinating details that couldn’t be covered in the TV series adaptation.

Although it might seem that Aemon forsook his family legacy for the life of a Maester, this was far from the truth. Instead, he aimed to advance his family’s destiny while steering clear of politics. As a passionate reader and Dreamer of Dragons, Aemon held an extensive understanding of Targaryen history and their significance in Westeros. Additionally, Aemon was aware of the prophecy known as The Prince That Was Promised. His distant relative, Rhaegar, another Dragondreamer, and Aemon frequently exchanged letters via raven to share their knowledge on this subject.

Aemon held his family very dear, opting to serve them in subtle ways rather than through grand actions or violent means. When Jon Snow arrived at Winterfell, Aemon showed great curiosity towards the newcomer. Although the series didn’t explicitly display Aemon’s backing for Jon, it is suggested that he recognized Jon’s leadership qualities. It’s plausible that Aemon encouraged Jeor Mormont to appoint Jon as a steward, aiming to prepare him for command roles in the future.

As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: From the get-go, I, being an old-timer in the game of thrones (Aemon), saw the shrewdness in Jon Snow (not just his swordsmanship) early on. This was evident when he proposed that Samwell Tarly might not be a swordsman but could bring other valuable qualities to the Night’s Watch. Later, after observing his leadership prowess during the Wildling attack, I suggested that Sam should voice his opinion when it came time for the Night’s Watch to elect their new Lord Commander, as he had proven himself a capable leader.

In the narrative, Aemon remains oblivious to Jon’s Targaryen heritage, as does Jon himself at this stage in the story. However, Aemon’s commitment to guiding Jon is so profound that it appears as if he possesses an intuitive understanding, urging him to aid Jon in all aspects. Readers may recall the conversation where Aemon disclosed his true identity to Jon when he was contemplating departing from Castle Black. As the story unfolds, Aemon continues to direct Jon on his challenging journey south of the Wall, navigating through the wildling territories.

Jon and Aemon understood that allowing the Wildlings to remain beyond the Wall could transform them into soldiers for the Night King’s army, thereby making their defeat more challenging. In the books, during conversations with Sam, Aemon reveals his earlier mistake in believing Rhaegar was The Prince That Was Promised, a role later proven to be Daenerys instead. The novels delve deeper into Aemon’s thoughts about Daenerys compared to the adapted version.

When Aemon discovers that Daenerys has hatched dragons, he feels a sense of sorrow. He understood that the three-headed dragon (symbol of House Targaryen) required a rider for each of its heads. Aemon wished to help Daenerys, but his advanced age and health concerns stopped him from becoming one of the dragon riders.

This revitalized man, who was initially feeble, found renewed strength and decided to endure life for a while longer due to it. In the novels, Maester Aemon passes away on a ship bound for Oldtown, rather than at Castle Black. His intention was to inform the Arch Maester in Oldtown that he aimed to assist Daenerys in fulfilling the prophecy.

Aemon’s Role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

George R.R. Martin’s debut novella is set in the year 209 After Conquest, where we find Aemon residing at the Citadel. Readers of the books don’t encounter him directly, but the adaptation might alter that as Aemon serves as a key figure to link the timeline between “Game of Thrones” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.” Later on, Ser Duncan and Egg make their way to Oldtown and pay a visit to Maester Aemon in the Citadel following the conclusion of a devastating illness called the (209/210) plague.

In Westeros, except for the Vale and Dorne, this plague spread widely. During his visit, Aemon notably measured Dunk and found him an inch shorter than seven feet. Given Aemon’s strong bond with Egg, it’s highly probable that showrunner Ira Parker will introduce this cherished character promptly in ‘Hedge Knight’. Despite some cast members being confirmed over a year ago, the production has been keeping quiet about further details since then.

If Aemon doesn’t make an appearance in the first season, it’s likely that he’ll show up in the second season instead. This second season will follow events after the Great Spring Sickness. The third novel, “The Mystery Knight,” is set to be adapted in the third season of “The Hedge Knight” and takes place in 212 AC. Although no specific release date has been announced yet, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” is expected to premiere on HBO MAX later this year.

Read More

2025-05-01 02:23

Previous post Aussie TikTok Star Kat Clark’s Shock US Move Sparks Fan Fury
Next post Henry Golding details ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ reunions as Max develops TV series: ‘Really excited’