In the latest episode of “House of the Dragon,” it is revealed that the civil war in Westeros began due to confusion between two Targaryens sharing the same name. The brewing civil war officially started in season one, episode eight, after King Viserys Targaryen caused confusion over his successor in episode seven. Viserys initially declared his daughter, Rhaenyra, as his heir but later mentioned an Aegon being “the prince that was promised.” This led to Alicent Targaryen putting her son Aegon II on the throne.
During a conversation between Rhaenyra and Alicent in King’s Landing, it is revealed that Viserys was referring to Aegon the Conqueror in his prophecy, not Alicent’s son. The misunderstanding over the prophecy of “The Song of Ice and Fire” caused the war to escalate, with fans finding humor in the situation. The mistake made by Alicent in interpreting Viserys’ words led to irreversible consequences and the outbreak of war.
The new development in the storyline was not directly taken from the source material “Fire and Blood” by George R. R. Martin, but fans have welcomed the change with memes and discussions about the Targaryens using different names. The realization of the mistake between the two Aegons highlights the importance of clarity and communication in preventing conflict. The episode sheds light on the intricate dynamics within the Targaryen family and the consequences of misinterpreting prophecies.