We've made it! After a lengthy two year wait, we are finally back in the world of Westeros for the highly-anticipated season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon. Yes, it's been a long time coming, but as we knew what would be coming, we always knew that the wait would be worth it. And as fans of the long-running Game of Thrones franchise around the world gather in front of their screens once more for the HBO series' return, they are living proof of that.
Readers of George R.R. Martin's legendary books know what's coming, too, and they likely have the advantage over those of us who don't: Because they know what to expect in the infamous Battle of the Gullet - as the bloodiest naval battle in Westeros history brings casualties and deaths. The Triarchy - led by Admiral Sharako Lohar - ambushes Lord Corlys Verlaryon and the Sea Snake's fleet. But, as we prepare for the same to happen in the HBO Max show, will Ryan Condal's season 3 premiere remain faithful to the novel?
With that in mind, follow along with us as we dive into the big questions of the HotD season 3 premiere, recapping the events of the episode as they happen and ask all the big questions: Does Jace die? What happens to the Triarchy? And who makes it out of the Battle of the Gullet alive?
Sharako Lohar dies in battle with Alyn of Hull
“All that work and what did it get me?!” Thoughts that Sharako Lohar were probably thinking as she sunk into the water and died. The pirate commander of the Triarchy discarded all royal goals and went rogue on Ser Tyland Lannister, even having him thrown overboard, in a bid to exact revenge on Lord Corlys Velaryon. The result? Corlys’ fate is unknown and his son kills Lohar in a brutal showdown within the ship.
While both warriors temporarily get the upper hand as the water floods into the ship, Alyn stabs her in the neck, resulting in the commander of the Triarchy slowly sliding down the wall and into the water.
Jacaerys Velaryon and Vermax die in battle
The biggest death in the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere came in the closing moments when Jace, son of Rhaenyra Targaryen, went down into the water – just as many fans had been expecting. The young dragon-rider attempted to help Corlys and his crew from the Triarchy’s attack when Sharako Lohar had her crew use a massive grapnel weapon that directly stabbed Vermax in the neck, bringing him down the water.
Initially, Baela managed to free her betrothed from the trap, directing Moondancer to sever the cable. However, when Rhaena showed up on Sheepstealer in a bid to help, the chaotic duo accidentally made things a whole lot worse – targeting Moondancer and Vermax. The confusion resulted in Vermax getting hit a second time, with the grapnel device pulling the dragon into the water.
Jace survived the fall and managed to free himself from Vermax but, as he surfaced from the sea, he was shot by multiple arrows from the Triarchy’s crossbowmen – most of which pierced his neck. The first one caught him off-guard and, upon realizing what happened, he died instantly as they littered more arrows his way. The haunting sight of the Targaryen crown prince floating in the water is what closed out the episode.
Is Corlys really dead in House of the Dragon season 3?
This episode is all about deaths and that allows House of the Dragon to get away with some initial ambiguity. The biggest example of that comes when Lord Clorlys Velaryon and Lohar get to do battle, resulting in some hand-to-hand combat and a lot of flying blades. But through it all, the Sea Snake’s ship is rocked and it sends Corlys into the water. Alyn searches for his father to no avail before turning his attention to Lohar to stop her once and for all.
Corlys’ fate isn’t revealed in the premiere, but it’s hard to imagine that the show would kill off the Sea Snake in such an underwhelming way – particularly in an episode in which there are some genuinely outright shocking deaths.
If you want to reach for Fire and Blood for spoilers, then you should know that Corlys does survive the battle. Of course, he is broken by the fact that Driftmark, the Hugh Tide, and Spicetown have been destroyed by the pirates – along with the fact that he has lost the family’s beloved Jace.
Ser Tyland Lannister’s fate is unclear
Ser Tyland Lannister managed to convince the Triarchy to aid the Greens in their battle against Rhaenyra and her faction of the Targaryens, but it turns out that this was never about the Iron Throne for Sharako Lohar. As she was more concerned with getting revenge on the Sea Snake, she was willing to do whatever it took to get to him – including throwing the crown’s loyal soldiers overboard to reduce the weight on their ship.
Even though Lohar had taken to Tyland, she had no problem with her crew pushing him overboard too. The assumption was that his heavy armor would have taken him right to the bottom of the ocean. So unless he manages to quickly wriggle free of it underwater, it’s probably safe to say that Tyland died underwater.
The only thing that leaves his fate somewhat uncertain is the fact that Ser Tyland Lannister’s story plays out completely differently in the Fire and Blood book, so there is no precedent here to refer to. Perhaps House of the Dragon season 3 will bring him back at a later point. Or perhaps that is the end of his arc on the show.
The House of the Dragon season 3 premiere certainly didn't hold back, and it's left fans with plenty of questions heading into the next episode. If you can wait until then, hopefully you will get some answers!
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