‘House of the Dragon’ kicks off Season 3 with a major tragedy that changes everything: “I got goosebumps reading the script”

The third season of ‘House of the Dragon’ is here. The popular HBO series, based on one of the stories from George R. R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood,’ has kicked off with a first episode that has received high praise from critics. And it’s no wonder: the conflict that has been brewing over the past two seasons continues to escalate, and upon its return, the series presents a tragedy of immense narrative weight that changes everything.

The season premiere takes us to the Battle of the Gullet, an event considered one of the bloodiest battles in history. The ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel succeeds in conveying that brutality from the very first moment, delivering one of the most impressive naval battles ever seen on television, marked as well by a tragic event that shapes the future of the series.

That pivotal moment is the death of Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s eldest son and heir. Before setting off for battle, Jacaerys locks his mother in her chambers at Dragonstone and rides into battle on the back of his dragon, Vermax. The outcome is fatal for the young prince, and actor Harry Collett has spoken about this scene.

A scene with a huge impact to kick off Season 3 of ‘House of the Dragon’

“I got goosebumps reading the script‚” Collett confesses. “How are they going to do this on screen?” recalls the British actor, adding that “It’s such a good way to go. And it’s not just been brushed under the carpet — it’s really, really something.”

Many viewers already consider Jacaerys Velaryon’s death to be one of the most shocking and epic in the entire series. Collett also wanted to highlight Vermax’s role in the scene: “It’s just as sad. The sounds he makes are like those of a dying dog, which is truly horrifying. Jace and Vermax grew up together, so it’s devastating to see them lose each other. I don’t want anyone to focus solely on Jace’s death in this episode. We’ve also lost a really great dragon.”

A death that changes everything in ‘House of the Dragon’

“It’s going to change it completely. We’re going to get to see a different side to Rhaenyra that no one has ever seen before,” Collett explains about the consequences of this event. “It’s going to change the whole course of how everybody thinks. I feel like Jace’s death really opened the floodgates to all-out war.”

House of the Dragon thus continues to escalate its conflict to a new level, at a point in the story where, as the actor himself anticipates, “it’s just going to be all-out death and chaos, which I think is really great for the show.”

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