Curtain Call: Peter Vaughan

He was the blood of a dragon. And now his watch has ended. -Sam

Much like Ian McElhinney, who we wrote about in this space a couple of weeks ago, Peter Vaughan’s casting in the first season of Game of Thrones is part of the legacy from the early months of production when the BBC was still a partner with HBO. Check out his Wikipedia entry or his IMDb page for an impressively long list of credits dating back from his first role in 1959’s The 39 Steps, a classic Alfred Hitchcock film. Vaughan was the very definition of a successful actor, with a movie or TV show to his credit for nearly every single year of his 56-year career. Besides The 39 Steps, Vaughan also appeared in such classics as The Naked Runner, Alfred the Great, and Time Bandits. One might think he was also instrumental in getting Jonathan Pryce to change his mind about considering a role on the show, since the two of them starred together in Brazil.

His first appearance on the show was in Lord Snow, the third episode of Season 1. Vaughan himself is partially blind, so his portrayal of the fully blind Maester Aemon was always particularly affecting. From the beginning, he portrayed Aemon as a wise old teacher whom everyone listened to and trusted, from the Lord Commander to the odd visiting dwarf. His most memorable scene from the first season came in episode 9, when he revealed himself to be a Targaryen. At that point, most of what we’d heard about Targaryens (outside of Dany, far away) suggested that they were evil and crazy. It was a humanizing moment for House Targaryen when Jon realized that the kindly Maester he trusted was not only the Blood of the Dragon, but also one who could have made a difference in the rebellion and turned the tide of war, but instead remained at Castle Black, and honored his vows. And though Vaughan movingly portrayed the anguish and grief over the loss of his family, his choice affects Jon deeply. One might say that the lingering knowledge of that is part of why Jon turned down his chance to become Jon Stark of Winterfell this season.

With Mormont’s Great Ranging keeping us from Castle Black for the length of the second season, we didn’t get to see Vaughan again until the very end of Season 3, when he mistook Gilly’s child for Sam’s. It is Aemon’s letter calling for forces to come stand against the White Walkers that inspires Stannis to bring his army north, arriving with troops just in time to save Castle Black. Vaughan appeared a few more times in Season 4, saving Jon at his trial for joining the wildlings, and counseling Sam, whom he treats as a apprentice. The father-son relationship between him and Sam is particularly touching, especially in the last few episodes, as Aemon’s final days slip away. (Though not before he was the deciding vote in making Jon Lord Commander.)

We will miss Vaugan’s calming presence amid the ever growing hotbed of rage and anger at Castle Black. As the Night’s Watch dwindles away, 49 men strong now, instead of 50, his council and wisdom are needed more than ever. As Thorne says to Sam at the funeral “You’re losing all your friends, Tarly.” That may be true, but with Vaughan’s departure, the Night’s Watch has just lost the best friend it had over the last 68 years.

• Published on 05/26/2015 at 12:30 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 1:04 PM CDT