#targtower bros

[nxpthys]

Aegon: Aemond won't pick up his phone. Daeron: I'll call. *calls Aemond* Helaena: We've tried six times EACH, what makes you think- Aemond, over the phone: Hello?

[mejcinta]

"Fuck up dinner?"

"Fuck up dinner."

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

And what if Aegon says this after Otto and Alicent berate Aemond and say that his actions are about to start a war?

Elder bro in his 'I support Aemond`s rights but more importantly I support Aemond`s wrongs' era👏

[queenalicentofravka]

Targtower bros bonding over trauma à la Lucifer

[witchy-v1xen]

Alicent when she's leaves Daeron with Aegon:

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

What do you think of Aegon and Aemond in the show?

I don't want to say that TGC & Ewan Mitchel save the garbage writing, but their respective performances definitely give us the best we could probably get & are contributing to Aegon & Aemond being the exact types of chaotic mess I'm into in a character. There is so much wrong with both of those brothers, & I love it.

Lowkey, would love to write OCs for both/either of them, but I cannot seem to commit to anything. Which is wild given that I love them. Like, given the day you ask, one of them will be in my top 5 faves from HOTD (today its Aemond, btw)

[yourlocalnetizen]

Ranting about HoTD ships

Acceptable (in my opinion) tier:

Rhaenyra x Harwin - Nice and non-toxic. No complaints really, they were a good couple who treated each other well.

Laenor x Qarl (or Joffrey.L) - I don't need to explain. Leanor with his lovers is nothing short of sweet.

Jace x Baela - They might ruin it next season but for now they seem very cute. Baela definitely loved him in the book and I at least know nothing about these two is toxic.

Rhaenyra x Laena - Is it gross that Rhaenyra screwed Laena's husband at her funeral? Absolutely, but I think they had potential.

Not unacceptable, but we'd be better off without them:

Helaena x Aemond - NOOO! BOOO!!! Where did Helaena imply she likes her little bro romantically?

Alicent x Criston - Not canon but whyyy??? Just because he's a man, and he doesn't treat Alicent like sh*t doesn't mean they need to have something romantic. Maybe homegirl just wants a friend...

Ships that belong in the pits of hell:

Viserys I x Aemma - Let's not forget she was his broodmare just like Alicent, only she died. Just because he loved her doesn't excuse how he treated her. If you ship them, I don't actually think you care about Aemma.

Daemon x Rhaenyra - HE IS ABUSIVE TO HER!!! And he groomed her.

Daemon x Laena - Book version of Laemon is valid couple (she was an adult woman), but Laena is literally younger than Rhaenyra in this show. She was 16, and Daemon was a grown man.

Aegon II x Helaena - Deeply disturbed they have shippers. To preface this, I don't think he r-worded her, he's disturbed by incest and Aemond would have killed Aegon himself if Aegon did that but point stands Aegon is a disgusting human. I enjoy Aegon as a character but I wouldn't wish for my worst enemy to marry him, let alone a lovely person like Helaena.

Luke x Aemond - It's terrible from both sides. The things they did to each other were horrifying, I don't understand why anyone would ship them. If you want enemies to lovers, please ship any of the other Strongaryens and Targtowers together.

(Adult) Alicent x Rhaenyra - Ok, maybe pits of hell is too extreme for these two but after everything that happens between them... Unless it's an AU where none of the bad stuff happens, no. Just no. I think any love they could have had ended the moment Alicent cut Rhaenyra with that dagger. Young Rhaenicent was so cute tho.

[presidenthades]

I don't know if you've answered this before but if Jace hadn't married Aegon (or any Targtower bro) who would have been her husband? Assuming that Rhaenyra and Daemon's wedding wouldn't have changed Jace's plans to engage some young lord who would have been the lucky one? In the Handbook Daemon only makes a few observations about a possible list but dismisses them all for x or y reason so...

I did talk about this topic in this past post! It depends on whether Jace and Aegon are thwarted in their elopement attempt or just don’t try at all. If they’re caught, Rhaenyra probably feels urgency to ensure Jace is married elsewhere before she jeopardizes her reputation further, and a Velaryon or Celtigar would be the best option for a swift marriage/betrothal.

If Jace and Aegon don’t try to elope, Jace would retain her ability to choose from a curated list of suitors, most likely Stark (Cregan), Martell (Qyle), or Tully (either Kermit or Oscar). Which one depends on Jace’s priorities.

[nxpthys]

Aemond: I hate weddings.

Aegon: Why?

Aemond: All the old people poke me and say 'You're next'.

Aegon: Then when you attend a funeral, get payback when you poke all the old people and say 'You're next'. That'll shut them up.

[mejcinta]

"You drink like a Braavosi sealord."

"Well, you don't drink enough!"

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

The trademark Targtower Cunty Left Eyebrow🤩

[dreamymoomin]

Crumbs Asks:

You're playing Mario Kart with the Targtowers - who's playing what character and who's the sorest loser?

Now this is a good one...

Aegon - Tanoooki Mario. He likes the tail and Mario's cute little bum wiggle when he makes the jumps. 👀🍂

Aemond - Bowser, through and through. Likes to play the big fucker and ram people off the edge of the track with a big jeep. Hogs all of the good items. He never loses, after all, he studied all of the courses during COVID. 🎩🦖

Helaena - Toadette or Animal Crossing Villager. They're little and sweet, just like her. She doesn't need to win, she's just happy to be involved, and even happier her bros are playing nicely together. 🥹🍄

Daeron - Shy Guy. Weird vibes, he doesn't really play often, dead eyes. Bit of a mystery. 😷💀

Otto - Mario. He's the only character he recognises. Keeps driving off the edge and accidentally pressing the home button on the joycon. 🧑‍🔧🪠

Alicent - Princess Daisy. Need I say more? She's *that* bitch. She is the moment. And obviously Nyra would always hog playing Peach. 👑🌼

Criston Cole - Likes to play as Luigi so he doesn't seem like too much of a threat, but mark my words, the man plays dirty. Will chuck his green shell backwards before crossing the finish line as a final FUCK you. Definitely the sorest loser. Insists everyone plays on 200 cc to show off. 🪠🧑‍🔧

Vissy T (just for fun) - Can't really play with one hand but baby Aegon usually liked to include him in spirit by playing as Dry Bones. 💀💀💀

[mejcinta]

Ate and left no crumbs!!!

[mejcinta]

Aegon and Aemond vs The Strongs: A Show of Loyalty.

To this day it's still strange to me that people misinterpret the dinner scene for one or another reason, misreading the words and actions of the characters using bias and/or team politics.

The episode 8 dinner scene picks up from the previous episode years ago on Driftmark when Aemond lost his eye. It is meant to show us what feelings the Greens harbor towards Rhaenyra's family years after a feud broke between them.

Throughout the dinner Aemond focuses on the Strong boys: Luke sitting across from him and Jace who failed miserably at 'turning the other cheek' and disrespected Aegon by asking Helaena for a dance.

In fact, before taking a seat Aemond is heard lamenting to Aegon about how he hates that they have to break bread with Rhaenyra's brood (I'm paraphrasing but you'll hear it before Viserys is carried into the room).

In the end, both Aemond and Aegon answer to the contempt and audacity the Strong boys showed them. The scene by all means effectively managed to show us how the brothers now work as a unit compared to when they were younger and Aemond suffered bullying on his own.

Aegon supported Aemond's derogatory toast and even tackled Luke (the boy that gouged out his brother's eye) when he tried to join Jace against Aemond.

And Aemond dealt with Jace squarely in response to the disrespect he showed Aegon and Helaena (we all know that dance was not about Helaena for Jace, but coming between a married couple that has an image to uphold and as revenge against Aegon who foolishly made a move on Baela to insult him).

From the very start of the scene it's clear that neither Aemond nor Aegon wanted to be at the dinner. They hated that the Strong boys were there and even bitched about them before Viserys arrived.

Aegon's sly behavior with Baela was a provocation he started in response to his displeasure at Rhaenyra and the Strongs being there and Viserys' wish for them to bury their differences without acknowledging Rhaenyra's wrongs. Aegon was pressing for tension to erupt at every chance he could get.

Aemond silently watched him go and did not stop him for a reason. He couldn't bring himself to rebuke Aegon's mischief, not if that meant making the Strongs upset.

He only intervened when Jace almost lost his cool on Aegon, standing up dominantly to give warning to his nephew and Aegon to a lesser extent (who eyed him knowingly).

When Helaena rose up to justifiably humiliate Aegon with her toast, (she was clearly upset about his sexual misconduct with Baela and earlier with Dyana) Aemond's reaction isn't shown.

However, when Jace stood up to ask Helaena for a dance with his eyes fixed on a scandalised Aegon (Jace had every intention here to get back at Aegon, not to be the better gentleman), Aemond took notice, meaningfully locking eyes with Aegon, but kept his cool nonetheless; whereas Aegon quietly seethed and squeezed Helaena's beetle (reportedly a gift he'd offered her before the dinner) in his hand.

Aemond monitored Helaena because he doesn't trust the Strongs with his family. And I'm sure Aegon would've done the same if he was seated in a position where he was free to watch the mother of his children in Rhaenyra's bastard's arms.

Note how he was staring at Rhaenyra while Aemond monitored Heleana and Jace.

The Targtowers clearly watch out for each other when faced with external forces, just as Alicent said they should in episode 6: "In the world we must defend our own".

When the roasted pig arrived on the table Aemond suddenly took notice of Luke giggling at him, reliving how he and Jace (and a now repentant Aegon) would make fun of him for being dragonless.

The insult was probably less about the pig to him and more about what happened because of his dragonlessness. He gained Vhagar then lost his eye in a sickening twist when the same boy laughing across at him swung a blade at his face!!!

Finally, Aemond lost his cool. He snapped and attacked the Strongs with his infamous toast.

He did not make the toast because of Jace dancing with Helaena, like some believe. He did so because of Luke who had the gall to laugh at his pain!!

Aegon readily supported Aemond because he too was itching to get back at the Strongs, particularly Jace who despite of having insulted Aegon by dancing with Helaena, could not handle the pun in Aemond's toast.

Aegon and Aemond were obviously fed up with the pretenses at that point of the dinner. From the very beginning of the dinner scene and their interaction with each other, their disgust at the Strongs and Rhaenyra was apparent. They hate that those three can get away with having a lord (Vaemond) murdered in cold blood on top of disabling Aemond without consequence!

How safe is their family? How can they trust the Strongs and Rhaenyra when punishment and death follows everyone that dares to challenge them? That is why Aegon and Aemond were evidently frustrated with Helaena and Alicent respectively at the dinner. The boys believe they know a threat when they see it while the ladies are more accomodating of Rhaenyra and the Strongs, Alicent especially believing (perhaps out of resignation) that there could be a chance at peace.

What transpires after the toast shows the factions within the Targtower family itself. Alicent and Helaena being more open and neutral, Otto wanting to maintain appearances and Aegon and Aemond being understandably doubtful and hostile.

The scene is so much more complex and informative. It shows us the relationships between the Targtowers and what their stances on Rhaenyra's party is. How they work together and how they are divided.

[mejcinta]

I'm so ready for Prince Regent Aemond's 'Reign of Terror' (not to me, it ain't, ok?? 🔥🔥) starting from ep 5.

I'm certain that Aegon hangs the ratcatchers in ep 3 going by the Flea Bottom Gold Cloak raid leak, though.

Can't wait for the boys to wreck havoc. Unstable kings!!

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

When they are emotional, so am I. Look at their nostrils flaring.

Aegon, trembling in anguish and misery. Aemond, shaking with rage and resentment. Brothers facing their demons: hopes unfulfilled and crime unpunished.

Tom and Ewan emote in such a beautifully raw way in their respective scenes. The fandom has been blessed with the actors who know and feel their characters - and truly embrace them, virtues and vices alike.