‘House of the Dragon’ Stars Break Down That Shocking Season 3 Premiere Ending
House of the Dragon returned with one of its most intense episodes yet, bringing the long-awaited Battle of the Gullet to the screen. The Season 3 premiere delivered a massive sea battle, dragon fights, and a heartbreaking loss that changed the future of the Targaryen war.
The episode adapted one of the biggest moments from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, with years of planning going into creating the battle. In an interview with TV Insider, members of the House of the Dragon cast opened up about the emotional weight of the episode and the decisions that led to its devastating ending.
The battle begins after Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Emma D’Arcy, continues her blockade of King’s Landing using House Velaryon’s powerful fleet. The move puts pressure on the Greens by limiting supplies and trade, forcing them to find a way to break through.
The Green Council responds by making an alliance with Sharako Lohar, the ruler of the Triarchy, played by Abigail Thorn. Their goal is to destroy the blockade and reopen the important trade route. However, when Lohar finally faces Corlys Velaryon, played by Steve Toussaint, personal revenge becomes more important than the original plan.
The battle quickly becomes a disaster for both sides as ships clash on the water and dragons fight above the battlefield. Jace Velaryon, played by Harry Collett, enters the fight after making a major decision involving his mother.
Before the battle begins, Jace orders Rhaenyra’s guards to keep her locked away so she cannot join the fight herself. Speaking to TV Insider, Collett explained that Jace believed protecting his mother was more important than protecting himself.
The actor said Jace felt Rhaenyra’s life was too valuable to risk and that he was willing to make the sacrifice instead. However, Emma D’Arcy had a different perspective on Jace’s choice, describing it as a mistake caused by his youth.
“Rebellion is the occupation of teenagers,” D’Arcy said, explaining that Jace’s actions came from his inexperience. The actor also described locking Rhaenyra away as an “insane act of infantilization.”
That decision becomes even more painful when Jace’s fate is revealed. During the battle, he and Baela Targaryen, played by Bethany Antonia, take their dragons into the sky. Jace rides Vermax while fighting against enemy forces, but the battle ends with tragedy.
In Fire & Blood, Jace’s death happens differently, but the series created its own version of the event. The young heir falls into danger during the chaos and is eventually killed, leaving Rhaenyra and the rest of the Blacks facing another devastating loss.
The premiere also explored a disturbing moment between Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke, and her son Aemond, played by Ewan Mitchell. Alicent begins planning a way to bring Rhaenyra back to King’s Landing and sends Aemond to Harrenhal as part of her strategy.
However, things take an uncomfortable turn when Aemond shows romantic feelings toward his mother. Cooke told TV Insider that Alicent understands her son’s dark nature but never expected him to cross that line.
“Why the f**k would she?” Cooke said while reacting to Alicent’s shock.
With Jace’s death and Corlys Velaryon’s fate left uncertain, the Season 3 premiere sets up an even darker chapter of the Targaryen civil war. The Battle of the Gullet was only the beginning, and the consequences are likely to shape every decision that comes next.
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