HBO’s House of the Dragon opened Season 3 with fire and blood as mayhem is unleashed in the Gullet and the Riverlands following two pivotal battles between the rival factions of Blacks and Greens.
As the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, reaches a new crescendo, avid fans expect the succeeding episodes to get more brutal, which will change the fate of the continent forever.
With that said, let’s take a dive into the three deaths that defined the premiere episode of the highly anticipated third season of House of the Dragon.
Consider yourself warned with spoilers ahead!!!
1. Jason Lannister
A stinging loss for the Greens as Lord Jason Lannister found himself in an unfortunate situation of facing both Prince Daemon Targaryen’s rivermen and the North’s contingent known in the books as the Winter Wolves.
Though the battle was not explicitly shown in the episode, we can surmise that the rivermen secured the victory through the dragon Caraxes, who were seen finishing up the remnants of the westermen in the field.
As Prince Daemon and Lord Oscar Tully prepare to pursue Lord Jason, who was reported to be regrouping his army near God’s Eye, Lord Roderick Dustin of the North showed up with the severed head of the Lannister liege and the Winter Wolves, proclaiming their support for Rhaenyra Targaryen.
The loss of Lord Lannister was a severe blow to the Greens.
Not only did they lose a major commander, but his death also impaired the Lannisters’ ability to mobilize fresh armies to continue fighting the Blacks in the future.
2. Sharako Lohar
In the book Fire and Blood, Lohar survived the Battle of the Gullet, along with his Lyseni ships and crews.
Played by transgender actress Abigail Thorn, Lohar’s alliance with Aegon II Targaryen in the show proved to be a ruse as she aimed to exact vengeance on the Sea Snake, Lord Corlys Velaryon, instead of focusing on lifting the Blacks’ blockade of the Gullet.
This was a catastrophic mistake as she not only failed to kill Lord Corlys and destroy the Velaryon fleet, but it left the Triarchy ships vulnerable to the dragons from Dragonstone.
She ultimately met her demise at the hands of Alyn of Hull after her combat with Lord Corlys, which sent the latter deep into the sea.
Still, Thorn’s portrayal of Lohar gave justice to the character, as well as enriching interest in the culture and norms of Essos.
However, her survival in the books divided the Triarchy, ending the alliance’s threat to Westeros for good. It remains to be seen how the show will incorporate this plot detail with Lohar’s death.
Overall, the Battle of the Gullet is a tactical loss for the Greens, but a strategic win as well.
3. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
Every fan who has read the book has already seen this coming. The ultimate revelation of the episode is the fall of Rhaenyra’s heir, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon.
Atop his young dragon Vermax, Jace tried to win one of the bloodiest sea battles in history for his mother by unleashing fire on the Triarchy ships from the east.
With his betrothed Baela Targaryen and her dragon Moondancer also present in the battle, it appeared that victory was assured for the Blacks.
However, the sudden appearance of the wild dragon Sheepstealer and her new rider, Rhaena Targaryen, forced the two dragonriders to re-engage in the fight.
Flying too low, Vermax was caught by a grappling arrow from one of the Triarchy ships, pulling the dragon into the sea, presumably dying due to drowning and loss of blood.
As Jace emerged from the water, he was peppered with arrows that sealed his doom.
Jace’s death will surely alter the course of war, and Rhaenyra’s state of mind as well.
READ NEXT: DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ brings Filipino folklore to the world
Elan Castanares 
Adam Peaker 
Ciara Mina