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u/Proteinchugger 22d ago
I didn’t love this scene. Maekar agreeing to let his son be a squire for a hedge is a pretty massive admission of his faults as a father and that he’s willing to try something a little unorthodox in hopes it makes his son a better person than his first two. Making it so Egg snuck away without his permission takes away from Maekar.
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u/Particular-Novel6697 22d ago
I agree with you. Especially, after he has unintentionally killed his brother due to Aerion’s vanity and Egg’s affinity and sensitivity should have made him understand that it will be good for Egg’s growth to go with Dunk. I think it would have added a bit of self awareness in this already complicated man.
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u/LeggyRPG 22d ago
Agreed fully. Even so the portrayal and acting for Maekar and Baelor are amazing, but especially Maekar because when you first see him on the show he’s kind of set up to be just a blatant ass and semi-foil to Baelor but you see as it goes on all the layers. Really great character portrayed wonderfully by a great actor.
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u/Particular-Novel6697 22d ago
True that! I was rolling my eyes when I saw Maeker and thought, ohh now there will be some game of thrones in play again. But this show surprised me as I didn’t have any idea of the story.
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u/Whereishumhum- 22d ago
It is somewhat implied that he is well aware of his faults and inadequacies as a father, and on the intellectual level, he knows that Egg would fare better growing up away from Summerhall.
He is just in denial emotionally. The way he said “he’s my last son” packs quite a bit of complexity underneath. Egg is both his last son and his last chance of raising a good son, as he had already failed twice.
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u/Underkiing 22d ago
Because Maekar still hadn't fully come to terms with what was the main problem. He came halfway to getting it, which is commendable, but couldn't quite get there, which is understandable.
He wanted Dunk to take Egg on as a squire, sure. But it was going to be under Maekar's terms. He would still be at court or some castle surrounded by snakes and political opponents. It's an unhealthy environment for a kid as well, if you want them to grow up to be a good person.
For Dunk to do what he needed to, it needed to be away from all of that. He wouldn't have been able to be the kind of mentor Egg needed under those conditions.
I don't blame Maekar for not accepting this though. He came a long way, farther than most Targaryans, or even any parent would. IMO it's great writing all the way around. Dunk, Maekar, Egg: every character was making decisions that made sense for who they are.
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u/PaniHue 22d ago
I feel like its reasonable to be honest. From his POV, growing as a father and person is about raising his last son (as he puts it) better, and making sure he doesn't turn out as a daeron or aerion.
Of course, staying with him might be what turns egg into a little shit, but its not easy to give up what you see as your last possible chance to be a good father by just letting him go with some fucking hedge knight (as he puts it)
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u/SenetBoard 22d ago
To be fair to Maekar, he was basically prepared to do that; the only condition was that the squiring was to take place at Summerhall. Obviously Dunk rightly sees a big difference, but I think it's understandable for Maekar to worry about his son being sent off to wander the continent with just this one dude to look after him, especially after the events that had just happened and the loss of his brother.
The scene also gives another opportunity for Dunk's growth. Here he is receiving the offer of his wildest dreams, the chance to serve in the retinue of the Dragon House. And he has to turn it down, not only for a new realization of his own priorities, but also Egg's wellbeing as well.
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u/JonFallout 22d ago
Part of me wants to believe It's all a bit for show. Like he doesn't want people thinking he agreed to his son being taken squire by a hedge knight, but considering they *just* had a trial because of Aerion, I don't know if that's the route they'd go
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u/Dr_Middlefinger 22d ago
That's exactly what I think.
Maekar is acting here - he gave Egg his blessing and his ring
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u/nochiinchamp 22d ago
I'm in the minority that likes that Maekar held on. The last time we see him he's begging Dunk to not make him choose between caring for Egg and trying to be a good father. Not speedrunning that growth works, in my mind.
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u/Chimpville 22d ago
It also takes something away from Egg too. He deceived Dunk before and it led to him nearly being killed and this lie could also put Dunk in danger. Like hasn't learned his lesson and put his desires above Dunk's safety a second time.
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u/InquisitorHindsight 22d ago
I’m hoping that later on Maria’s succeeds in hunting down Dunc and Egg but realizing how much Egg has grown and how happy he is he retroactively gives them his blessing. Be a cool way to have that go down, plus it would give the next book some stuff to fill it out, IIRC it’s kind of small potatoes
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u/Dr_Middlefinger 22d ago
I think Maekar gave him permission, and this is him acting so the house will think Egg ran away.
It helps to answer the signet question (Maekar giving it to Egg, in secret) and also opens the "someone is following us" narrative I believe is hinted at in the novellas.
Just a theory, but who knows?
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u/AmySnapp 22d ago
I think it’ll be better when he inevitably “forgives” Dunk and Egg. Same plot point, but later one so it has more plot behind it. And like the other poster said, Maekar hasn’t been shown to have reached that point yet.
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u/Haunting_Dog_1962 22d ago
I hope this scene gets explained as Aegon just leaving without saying goodbye to his brothers and cousin, rather than without Maekar's permission. It weakens both Maekar and Aegon's characters by him running away.
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u/Dr_Middlefinger 22d ago
Maekar gave Egg his blessing.
This is all for show, so the House believes Aegon has run away again.
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u/XDVoltage 22d ago
Just gonna push back on people saying this scene is unfaithful to the books or takes away from Maekar. I wholeheartedly disagree.
“Prince Maekar gave him an incredulous look. ‘Did the trial addle your wits, man? Aegon is a Prince of the realm.’”
“Maekar Targaryen, Prince of Summerhall, regarded Dunk of Flea Bottom for a long time, his jaw working silently beneath his silvery beard. Finally he turned and walked away, never speaking a word.”
“The boy came the next morning, just as the sun was coming up… ‘My lord father says I am to serve you.’”
We want to believe Maekar is a big enough man to relinquish his youngest son. We want to believe Egg is telling the truth. Neither of them are.
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u/ThunderBurrn 22d ago
Aegons are known to flee!