Warning: This includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 1, but will not include any further book spoilers!
House of the Dragon is back with Season 3, and its first two episodes have been jam-packed with content. The Season 3 premiere was packed with questions, and the second episode piled on even more, with minor characters playing major roles in dynamic events.
I’ve covered House of the Dragon since the first season premiered, and have written hundreds of articles on the series, as well as Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the books they’re all based on. I’ve spent an extensive amount of time (possibly too much) researching George R.R. Martin’s lore, so you don’t have to.
Why Does Aemond Kill Simon Strong?
Daemon and Aemond see parallels throughout the episode, and Aemond’s capture of Harrenhal scene is notably very similar to Daemon’s from Season 2, with both ending in the dining room, bringing each Targaryen prince face to face with Ser Simon Strong. This series has consistently built Aemond to be a foil for Daemon, but there’s a crucial difference here. When Daemon took Harrenhal, he saw enough value in his captives to keep them alive. Aemond, on the other hand, was angered enough to kill without a second thought, wanting to “earn his conquest” by challenging the older man to a fight.
Who is Lord Jasper Wylde?
After being a relatively unimportant background character throughout much of House of the Dragon, Lord Jasper Wylde plays a major role in Season 3, Episode 2. Wylde is the Master of Laws on the Small Council and has shown himself to be a self-serving rogue among King’s Landing’s politicians. In the books, he’s referred to as Ironrod, with some ambiguity regarding its meaning; it could relate to his harshness as a lawman, or him having 29 children. The latter could be why House of the Dragon’s writers had him force himself on Alicent in a rather discomforting and seemingly needless scene. It’s okay, though; he’s dead now.
What Does It Mean For Corlys To Give Alyn His Name?
Alyn of Hull was introduced in Season 2 as a man shunned by his father his entire life. Knowing himself to be a bastard of Corlys Velaryon, Alyn has been willing to serve dutifully, but has drawn the line at developing a meaningful father-son relationship with the man who ignored him his entire life. That is, up until now. By giving Alyn his name, Corlys has legitimized his bastard son as Alyn Velaryon, making him the heir to his house; essentially a fixer-upper after the Battle of the Gullet wiped out the majority of its navy.
Who is Ser Rickard Thorne?
Rickard Thorne is a knight of the Kingsguard (yes, he’s from the same House Thorne as Game of Thrones’ Ser Alliser Thorne of the Night’s Watch) who became Allicent’s sworn protector after Criston became Hand of the King in Season 2. Rickard accompanied Allicent in her trip to the Kingswood, as well as Dragonstone, but has drawn the line in his loyalty at handing King’s Landing to Rhaenyra.
A firm supporter of Aegon in both the books and the show, Rickard attempted to block Daemon and Rhaenyra from taking the Iron Throne. In the books, he staunchly protects Aegon’s children as Rhaenyra recaptures the capital and chaos erupts, so there could still be more to his plotline as a loyalist.
Who is Ser Lorent Marbrand & Why Does Rhaenyra Spare Him?
Ser Lorent was Kingsguard to King Viserys and now Queensguard to Rhaenyra. He’s the one who agreed to the command to trap her in her quarters, indirectly leading to Jace’s death, and once he realizes the error of his ways, he lays down his sword and claims his life is forsaken. Rhaenyra, at that point, is so indifferent about him and his betrayal that she doesn’t bother killing him, but she is unlikely to forget his role in her son’s death.
Why Did Larys Imprison Otto Hightower?
At the end of House of the Dragon Season 3, it was revealed that Ser Otto’s disappearance was due to a mysterious imprisonment. It’s now been revealed that he was captured by Larys Strong as a “gift” for Rhaenyra upon her return to the capital. Larys’s motivations are unclear right now, as there was speculation in Episode 1 about whether he had actually betrayed Aegon. His capture of Otto was likely an attempt to play both sides and remove a potential political rival from the equation, but it’s to be seen whether he has a more sinister plot in the works.
Who is Luthor Largent?
Luthor Largent arrives in Season 3, Episode 2, connecting with characters like Daemon as if to say, “Hey, I’ve been here the whole time!” He hasn’t. You haven’t met him. Don’t worry. Luthor is the current Lord Commander of the City Watch; Daemon was the Lord Commander decades prior, so they have a relationship, but this is the character’s first on-screen appearance.
Known for his brutality and for betraying the Greens in the books, Largent seems to be a supporter of Daemon, who we can expect to cause some bloodshed before the season is over. At this point in the books, he’s already killed Gwayne Hightower, but the TV show has gone a different direction, sending Gwayne to travel with Cole.
While walking with Alicent in the godswood, Helaena points out a flower that shouldn’t be there. She says, “This is strange. It isn’t the season.” There are a few similar scenes with her throughout House of the Dragon, including one where she’s holding a millipede. “It isn’t the season” is a curious line. At the core of the message, Helaena suggests something isn’t right. Could that be her suggesting she knows Rhaenyra is coming to King’s Landing, or is she hinting at a much darker event still to come? While the exact reasoning for the flower scene isn’t clear, it’s likely related to her visions, and the meaning will become clear as the season progresses.
Hidden Details, References, & Parallels
- When Rhaenyra and her dragon riders, including Hugh, arrive in King’s Landing, we see Hugh’s wife briefly on the city streets. This character is still important!
- Rhaenyra’s struggle to behead Otto is reminiscent of Theon Greyjoy’s difficulty in executing Ser Rodrik Cassel in Game of Thrones Season 2. In Thrones, this scene was used to demonstrate Theon’s faulty grasp of his Ironborn followers’ support.
- When Daemon speaks about a Targaryen sitting in the desert with dragons, he’s speaking about Daenerys Targaryen. The Song of Ice & Fire refers to the events of Game of Thrones. This was established in S2 when Daemon witnessed Aegon’s Dream.
- Daemon and Rhaenyra’s capture of King’s Landing with the unexpected support of the City Watch mirrors Littlefinger’s betrayal of Ned Stark in Game of Thrones Season 1. This time, the City Watch goes against the established power, helping Rhaenyra secure the throne.
What Otto Hightower’s Death Means
The primary difference in Otto’s death in the novels is that he wasn’t captured. He remained in King’s Landing, despite being dismissed as Hand of the King, only to be executed by Rhaenyra upon her retaking the capital. The element of Alicent arriving in the throne room shortly after his death is also original to the series, but adds notable drama to the event. In the books, Alicent and Rhaenyra aren’t friends, just political rivals.
|
Every ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Character Death |
Episode |
Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|
|
Jacaerys Velaryon |
1 |
Killed in the Battle of the Gullet by Triarchy crossbowmen. |
|
Tyland Lannister |
1 |
Pushed overboard in plate armor by Lohar during the Battle of the Gullet. |
|
Jason Lannister |
1 |
Killed by the Winter Wolves (Stark bannermen), with his head given to Daemon as a sign of fealty. |
|
Sharako Lohar |
1 |
Killed by Alyn of Hull in hand-to-hand combat during the Battle of the Gullet. |
|
Simon Strong |
2 |
Killed by Aemond after he captured Harrenhal. |
|
Otto Hightower |
2 |
Executed by Rhaenyra Targaryen in the throne room of the Red Keep to send a message to the Greens, securing her the Iron Throne. |
|
Jasper Wylde |
2 |
Killed by Daemon in the throne room after his attempt to keep the Iron Throne from Rhaenyra. |
Otto’s death provides closure to an arc that’s essentially already been concluded, but the show’s changes allow for some natural hostility to form between Alicent and Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra intended to execute Aegon, which Alicent had given her permission to do, but Aegon’s escape meant she needed an alternate option. Alicent likely won’t be too thrilled that her father finally reappeared, only to be killed by her best friend.
- Release Date
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August 21, 2022
- Network
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HBO
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Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
