The final episode of House of the Dragon Season 2 saw Aemond finally unleash his anger on a small town called Sharp Point. Fans may be wondering why of all places, he chose to burn that poor coastal settlement.
In a scene, Lord Larys informed King Aegon that the Prince Regent “has gone in fury to Sharp Point and laid waste to the whole of the town.” There’s a simple explanation to this, although the whole thing seemed a bit unlike the character of Aemond.
Why Did Aemond Burn Sharp Point?
At the end of Episode 7, viewers saw Aemond on Vhagar’s back, retreating after seeing Rhaenyra with three dragons. Looking at the map of Westeros, Sharp Point is just below Dragonstone and Driftmark, and anyone passing through the Blackwater Bay to King’s Landing will easily spot this town.
Aemond was in a state of fury after realizing Rhaenyra has the upper hand now, and since the small town was geographically close to Dragonstone, the villagers fell victim to his rage. It’s also the seat of House Massey, led by Lord Gormon Massey, a member of the Black Council. Ryan Condal discussed this in an interview via Game of Thrones on YouTube.
Aemond lashes out. It’s also a strategic act because Sharp Point is the seat of House Massey who serves on Rhaenyra’s council. It’s a punishment to them for siding with the pretender. Aemond is showing that he’s not running. He’s burning cities filled with innocent people instead.
Additionally, writer Sara Hess revealed that for the first time, Aemond is scared. Claiming Vhagar as a boy changed his entire outlook on life. “And now that he’s been challenged by these new dragons, it’s the first time that, like, ‘Oh, no, I don’t have the upper hand in any situation I go into.’”
Hess also remarked that the Prince Regent will become an “interesting loose cannon in season three” because whenever he gets scared or mocked, he lashes out.
Ewan Mitchell On Aemond’s Power and Motivations
For the longest time, the audience has viewed Aemond as more capable of leading than King Aegon. It’s evident that he wants to be a war hero, but what he did to Sharp Point doesn’t paint a good picture if he wants the people’s sympathy. Ewan Mitchell said in an interview with Variety:
Aemond wields the largest singular power in Vhagar, with that power comes a great responsibility. He has to be seen as someone who can capably control that power. It ultimately means that in his mind has to be the person who wins the war for the Greens.
The act of burning an entire town is indeed a fit of rage, but also a warning for everyone who dares cross him. “You’re either with him or you’re against him,” Mitchell said of his character. Season 3 will hopefully see the repercussions of Aemond’s rash action on Sharp Point.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming on HBO.
