Will Aerys Targaryen Be in 'House of the Dragon'?
'House of the Dragon' has kicked off to a fiery start, and with just two episodes in, the much-anticipated prequel to 'Game of Thrones' does not disappoint, indulging fans in dragons, drama, and deadly affairs.
With the third installment set for release on 4 September 2022, fans have had plenty of time to reflect on the story thus far, with theories and questions flooding the internet, one of the most burning questions being: will Aerys Targaryen actually appear in 'House of the Dragon '?
Also referred to as "The Mad King", Aerys II Targaryen was the last member of the Targaryen dynasty to sit on the Iron Throne, ruling from 262 AC to 283 AC.
Aerys bore many children with his sister-wife Rhaella, fathering the legendary 'Game of Thrones ' character, or "Mother of Dragons", Daenerys Targaryen. It appears both father and daughter suffered from the trait of insanity in their bloodline near the end of their lives.
True to 'Game of Thrones' style, Aerys was eventually killed by one of his guardsmen.
The Mad King made no appearance in 'Game of Thrones' besides many mentions of his cruel legacy. Does this mean 'House of the Dragon' may feature and delve deeper into the rule of the final Targaryen to take the Iron Throne?
Early on in 'House of the Dragon', King Viserys cuts himself on the Iron Throne, which many believe to be a foreshadowing of darker times to come under his reign, as the Targaryens fall from power. However, he is not the first to bleed by the throne. This event could also bear reference to Aerys II Targaryen, who bore a second name, "King Scabs", due to many half-healed cuts and scars accumulated from sitting on the throne.
Some focus on the rule of Aerys II Targaryen could deepen the plot and overall understanding of the events leading to the current state of affairs in 'House of the Dragon', and his appearance would certainly be welcomed by fans, perhaps in flashbacks throughout the upcoming episodes.
Ultimately, due to the timeline of the Targaryens and the era in which the series takes place, being just over 150 years before the reign of the Mad King, the likeliness of Aerys II Targaryen playing a significant role or making an appearance if any are deemed slim. The existence of the Mad King and the current characters in 'House of the Dragon' are set too far apart to ever coincide.
Fans, however, should not despair, for his legacy will survive through his predecessors who star in 'House of the Dragon', and if the prequel lives up to 'Game of Thrones', viewers can expect a story full of twists and turns to keep them on the edge of their seats, with or without the Mad King.