‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 was one of the bloodiest and most gruesome chapters of the series, setting the stage for an even darker end with season 4. This season, many beloved and main characters took their final breaths, and fans were sent through an emotional roller coaster with every episode release.
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon, Vermax
The entire saga begins with one of the most emotional deaths of the ‘House of the Dragon’ series as Jace and his dragon Vermax die in the Battle of the Gullet. The story begins with Jace telling his mother, Rhaenyra, that her decision to send the Sea Snake Lord Corlys Velaryon after believing Alicent’s offer is a grave mistake. When she finds out that Admiral Sharako Lohar is hell-bent on killing Sea Snake, Rhaenyra decides that she will ride into battle with Syrax; however, Jace comes up with a plan to protect her instead. This leads to him taking part in the battle; however, this proves fatal. Rhaena and Sheepstealer ride into battle; however, the wild dragon starts burning everything in his path, including Vermax, who is hit and drowns in a nearby lake. Jace manages to free himself from the rider’s harness and survive, but his death comes moments later when he is shot down by arrows.
Helaena Targaryen’s death
Perhaps Helaena’s death in season 3 was the most harrowing, as she ended her own life by jumping from her room’s window in the Red Keep. Tired of being kept away from her daughter and dealing with being kept prisoner in a room by Queen Rhaenyra, she felt as if her autonomy had been taken from her and that she and her unborn child were “forsaken.” Her suicide also ends season 3, paving the way for a darker side of the story in season 4. Her death also plummets the people’s trust in Rhaenyra and gives way to her descent into tyranny.
Aemond kills off Ser Simon Strong
In the second episode, Ser Simon Strong delivers the news that Jace has died to Daemon, after which he returns to Harrenhal. However, as Alicent convinces Aemond to go to Harrenhal as well and leave King’s Landing for Rhaenyra, doom is awaiting Simon. Arriving on his dragon, Vhagar, Aemond burns almost all of the soldiers in the area, leaving him shocked. Aemond tells him to draw his sword, while Simon tries to tell him that the armies have decamped. However, Aemond does not listen to him and stabs him, essentially killing him. He also kills everyone else in the room.
Otto Hightower
Otto Hightower had been in King’s Landing all along, trapped in the jail cells of the city. While he was seen last in season 2, rotting away in a dark room, it was left up to the imagination as to where he was being kept. Season 3 brings about clarification of what happened to him; however, his return is quite short-lived. When Rhaenyra and Daemon make their way to the Iron Throne, Grand Maester Orwyle tries to save his own neck by offering up a prisoner to behead. This turns out to be Jasper Wylde, the man who tried to sexually assault Alicent. However, another person chimes in about a gift from Lord Larys Strong: another prisoner to kill, which turns out to be Otto Hightower. Daemon tells Rhaenyra that she needs to kill the two to assert her leadership. Although she hesitates, she manages to proceed and kill both Otto and Wylde. Later on, Alicent is caught by Rhaenyra’s forces and is brought into the throne room to see her father’s body.
Ser Criston Cole
This is one of the most surprising deaths in the series. When his army is ambushed by Tully soldiers, everyone fights back with full bravado. However, as Roderick and Oscar come to the scene, Cole challenges one of them to a duel. Before anything can happen, Alysanne Blackwell shoots three arrows into Ser Criston Cole, bringing a gruelling end to his life.
The High Septon
The High Septon’s death is another major turning point for Rhaenyra’s fate in the series as she orders Alyn to kill him. At first she had been determined to get his blessings after taking over the throne and the crown. With Alyn and multiple escorts in tow, she visited the High Septon’s holy place to reach out to him. He, however, stood his ground by rejecting her and telling her that he would not do what she told him to. Angered by his actions, Rhaenyra orders Alyn, who hesitates, knowing that killing the High Septon means that his soul will be damned to hell for all eternity. She is, however, able to convince him, after which he kills the High Septon, while her army kills all of the other holy men in his court.
Roderick Dustin and Ormund Hightower
Roderick Dustin and Ormund Hightower were some of the final characters to die in the series. They set out into the Battle of Tumbleton, where Dustin is fully expecting to die while defending his queen, whereas Hightower only wished to defeat Rhaebyra’s forces. Dustin becomes the reason why the forces can breach the main city. However, his encounter with Ormund becomes a setback. The two engage in a swordfight, which results in Dustin losing an arm. Before dying, he does jam his sword into Ormund, following which Ulf flies over them with his dragon, burning both of them to their deaths.
