Co-created by Ryan Condal and George RR Martin, House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 1 returned with some shocking scenes. The first episode of the third season saw the deaths of some brave warriors and a future heir to the throne.
Right off the bat, viewers can see that the makers are not messing around this season. With seven more episodes to go, we start the death count on a sombre note with the Battle of the Gullet. Rhaenyra’s Team Black won a narrow victory this time, but the toll lies heavy on the queen.
Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
While the books foretold Jace’s death, the series gave the young prince a different ending. In the books, he dies protecting his little brothers. However, in the show, he and Baela (Bethany Antonia) ride their dragons into the Battle of the Gullet as backup. Rhaena (Phoebe) and the wild dragon Sheepstealer arrive later and mistakenly attack them. When Jace flies low, Vermax is wounded and drowns, allowing a nearby ship to take him out with arrows as well. As many have noted, heir apparent Jace has a watery death befitting his Velaryon roots.
Jace’s dragon Vermax
Jace and Vermax were bound to one another early on. They have a close shave as Lohar (Abigail Thorn) tries to take them down. However, Lady Baela Targaryen and her dragon Moondancer save them from death’s claws the first time. The second time, Baela and Moondancer are too late. Vermax becomes the first casualty of the dragons this season.
Abigail Thorn as Sharako Lohar
As part of the Triarchy, Sharako Lohar brings her fleet to the Gullet but she is only interested in one target, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint). She risks not only her ship but also her crew as she blindly follows the Sea Snake through a narrow gorge to take him down. It partially works, as she manages to break his ship, The Queen Who Never Was, in half. However, in her quest to get at Corlys, she loses her life as his vengeful son Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) gets her in the water and stabs her neck.
Jefferson Hall as Ser Tyland Lannister
Actor Hall, who plays twins Ser Tyland Lannister and Lord Jason Lannister in the series, has lost one of his roles. As a former Master of Ships, Tyland is trying to win the battle for the Greens but Lohar has other ideas.
As they sail down the narrow gorge, she throws him overboard to keep down the weight. In the book, Tyland was not part of the Battle of the Gullet and plays a key role later, so his death is a bit of a surprise.