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The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 6, "The Princess and the Queen," which debuted Sept. 25, on HBO.
One of the most engaging aspects of House of the Dragon has been the politics of King's Landing. This is something fans lapped up centuries down the line on Game of Thrones, with Westeros' early days filled with just as much backstabbing and sinister machinations. Whether it be Daemon scheming to lead, or Alicent plotting as queen, it's clear the Red Keep has always been filled with drama.
In the process, these royals have shown tremendous narcissism and disrespect. It's part and parcel of the game, flexing to command authority -- something Daenerys Targaryen herself eventually did when she was branded the Mad Queen. Interestingly, Episode 6 just mimicked another hit HBO series filled with big egos and disgusting displays of power: Succession.
Succession's Roman Roy Enjoyed Some High-Rise Shenanigans
House of the Dragon reared its ugly head in terms of the social hierarchy in a time-jump thanks to the teen Aegon -- Queen Alicent's firstborn with Viserys, and someone she'd like on the throne instead of Rhaenyra. While he cut a petulant, bratty figure, no one expected her to walk in on him masturbating out an open window, soaking in all the glory of the capital. Admittedly, it was creepy, especially given how she wasn't as perturbed, instead wanting to talk politics and public impression rather than, you know, hygiene and civil behavior.
Aegon's public display nodded to Succession's Roman Roy, who was equally perverted in Season 1. After being named Chief Operating Officer of Waystar Royco in his father's absence, Roman went into his fancy new office, got turned on, dropped the blinds and closed the door. He then stared out his massive window, unzipped his pants and pleasured himself in the high rise. Now, while Aegon didn't have a skyscraper, both scenes thematically spoke to brash young men who lap up power.
Aegon Targaryen's Arrogance Knows No Bounds
In Roman's case, he wasn't caught, but after relieving himself on the window, he left the mess to be cleaned by the custodial staff. He felt it was beneath him, with this dirty, boastful move speaking to his arrogance and how he'd often call his family royals and everyone else, "peasants." Roman made it clear they were gods above these people, which is why he enjoyed others cleaning up his depraved acts.
Aegon has that same energy, loving how he can lord himself in a tower above commoners. The way he spoke about his cousins and siblings, and the diva-mentality he showed Ser Criston Cole during training, clearly shows he's spoiled and entitled, thinking he's better than everyone else. Seeing as this wasn't in the George R.R. Martin's source material, fans are wondering if the parallel was deliberate by HBO as both Aegon and Roman enjoy getting away with filthy acts. But that said, while Roman Roy and siblings lost in their feud with Logan, Aegon's disturbing antics may be what Alicent needs if she's to cultivate someone more cutthroat to convince Viserys to make their son the next in line.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and stream on HBO Max.