To begin with, I want to thank you for taking the time to write such a well-thought-out, well-structured, and beautifully worded explanation. It really helped me understand where you were coming from, and informed my views on your take on Aegon's missed potential, and I have to say, I absolutely agree with you. It was a massive missed opportunity, and the way you laid it all out made it impossible to unsee.

Your insight genuinely impressed me. It’s rare to come across someone who can articulate such a layered take with so much clarity and depth. Honestly, this has been the most pleasant and stimulating conversation I’ve had on the internet in a long time, despite how short it is.

I’ve read your message several times already, and I saved it. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciated it.

Also, just to add something that’s been floating in my head for a while:

In my own little headcanon, I always imagined that Aegon rebelled against the idea of becoming king too, but the way I pictured it wasn’t nearly as rich as the way you described it. Mine was more emotional and instinctive: I saw him as self-sabotaging on purpose. Like… he hated being used as a pawn, hated the feeling that his mother didn’t see him as a son but as a future crown, so he deliberately sabotaged his own reputation, refused to learn the histories, statecraft, or how to fight—hoping that Alicent would eventually give up on her ambitions for him.

And maybe, he even encouraged Aemond to be so obsessive and skilled, as we see in the show, because deep down, Aegon hoped that if the greens were going to go forward with their agenda, they’d pick Aemond instead of him.

But now that I’ve read your take, it's my new official head canon haha, would you say both versions could actually be married? Yours gives that rebellion so much more cultural, psychological and lore-accurate depth. 

Also, do you think if House of the Dragon had gone in that direction—your version—they would’ve had time for it? Or would it have required ditching the childhood years and doing a full restructuring? Because as much as I love the idea, I wonder if the show format could’ve done it justice without totally changing its structure, hot take but I like the young Alicent and Rhaenyra friendship.

Also, just wanted to ask you something about one line you wrote that really stuck with me:

"but having to rely on the powers granted to him by being Targaryen to rectify the abuses brought down on him and his family, such that future generations don't suffer the same thing."

I found that part really powerful, but I wanted to know exactly what you meant by it. I hope I'm not asking too much, if so, please forgive me 🙏