Breaking down the Targaryen family tree and the link between Egg and Daenerys Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
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SUMMARY
ELI5 Read Next Spoiler Alert !!!!!Spoiler for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3!!
The new Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, puts the spotlight on Ser Duncan the Tall and his sharp-tongued squire, Egg, whose true identity is finally revealed in Episode 3. After a heated scuffle between Dunk and Aerion Targaryen, Egg steps in and reveals the secret he’s been hiding all along: he is himself a Targaryen.
While longtime readers of George R. R. Martin’s novellas may have seen this coming, the reveal is still a major moment for the series. It firmly links the spinoff to Game of Thrones and its most iconic Targaryen, Daenerys.
Egg’s real name is Aegon Targaryen, and he later becomes King Aegon V. Crucially, he is Daenerys Targaryen’s great-grandfather. Egg fathers five children, including Jaehaerys II, Daenerys’ grandfather. Jaehaerys II then fathers Aerys II, the Mad King, making Egg a direct ancestor of the Mother of Dragons and a vital bridge between the two series.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Star Explains Egg’s Identity Reveal
Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, reflected on why the character is forced to reveal his true identity in Episode 3, titled The Squire.
The episode follows Dunk attacking Aerion after witnessing him break Tanselle’s finger. Though Dunk briefly knocks the prince down, he is quickly subdued and faces execution. Aware of Aerion’s cruelty, Egg steps in and orders the soldiers to stop.
Despite Dunk’s concern for his safety, Egg assures him he will not be harmed and reveals his true identity, that he is a Targaryen and Aerion’s brother. “Dunk’s about to die,” Sol Ansell said while reflecting on the pivotal moment (Game of Thrones).
“But the only way he can save him is to reveal his secret,” Sol Ansell said, the actor explained, emphasizing the weight of Egg’s decision. Learning the truth that Egg is a Targaryen could permanently change his relationship with Dunk and even cause Dunk to hate him.
“But he does it because of how much love he has in Dunk,” he adds, explaining why Egg ultimately chooses to reveal his true identity in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Ryan Condal Helped Ira Parker Rethink Egg’s Big Reveal
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner Ira Parker also reflected on how he approached the major reveal surrounding Egg in the HBO series. In a recent interview with The Wrap, Parker explained that while he initially envisioned the moment as a big spectacle, he rethought it after a conversation with House of the Dragon creator Ryan Condal.
“The truth is I made my peace with it a long time ago. Ryan Condal pointed out to me pretty early on that [Egg’s secret] is not a plot point,” he shared, explaining how he reframed the reveal as a character detail rather than a traditional twist.
Parker also emphasized that revealing Egg’s identity earlier added depth for viewers who already know the secret, while also landing a significant twist at the end of episode 3.
“So that was very helpful,” he shared, noting how Condal’s insight ultimately helped him craft a reveal that felt rewarding both for longtime fans and for viewers who remained unspoiled.
How do you feel about the big reveal in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3? Share your thoughts with us.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones are streaming on HBO Max.
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