House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 1 Ending Explained: Who Died During The Battle of the Gullet?

House of the Dragon Season 3 is finally here, and as promised, the premiere episode ended on a blasting high note. The last half of the show was spent on dragonback, flying high above the Gullet as war broke out between the Velaryon fleet and the Triarchy ships.

The episode did not strictly follow George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, but it stayed true to the heart of the story and still delivered a devastating ending. Fans who have read the book might already have an idea that Jacaerys Velaryon will meet his end during the Battle of the Gullet—and he did, but even with that knowledge, the tragedy, as seen in the premiere of House of the Dragon Season 3, hits just as hard.

How Did Jacaerys Velaryon Die?

Jace Velaryon and Vermax in House of the Dragon / Credits: HBO

Jace’s death is one of the expected tragedies of Season 3, and the way it unfolds in the first episode of Season 3 is fairly close to how it is described in the book.

After Rhaena successfully claimed Sheepstealer and brought the wild dragon to Dragonstone, she spotted the burning ships in the Gullet and decided to join the battle. Unfortunately, her arrival only added to the chaos, as Sheepstealer began setting everything ablaze, including Velaryon ships.

Baela and Moondancer tried to stop the rogue dragon, unaware that its rider was her sister. Jace joined the fight to support them and was shocked when he realized the dragonrider was Rhaena. Sheepstealer then turned its attention to Vermax, forcing Jace to fly dangerously low in an attempt to escape. A bolt struck Vermax, sending both dragon and rider crashing into the water.

The prince managed to free himself by unclasping the hook on his saddle and swimming to the surface. Just as he grabbed a piece of wreckage for support, arrows struck him in the back, chest, and neck. The young prince sank lifeless beneath the waves. The episode ended with a haunting image of the battle’s aftermath—burning ships scattered across the Gullet and a lone dragon soaring above the devastation.

What Happened During the Battle of the Gullet?

After learning of the war in the Gullet, Rhaenyra decided to head straight into the heart of the battle. Jace stopped her by barring the door to her chamber, while he and Baela mounted their dragons and took to the skies.

Chaos ensued, but the Triarchy was prepared for a dragon attack. As soon as the dragons came into view, Admiral Sharako Lohar ordered the grapnels brought out and aimed at Vermax. They scored a direct hit, dragging down both Vermax and Jace, but Baela and Moondancer rushed to their aid.

It was revealed that Sharako sought revenge against Corlys, but the Sea Snake had anticipated her move. He laid a trap for the enemy, steering his fleet through a treacherous narrow passage in the hope that the Triarchy would take the bait. The plan worked at first, but the victory was short-lived.

Sharako and her crew managed to break through and quickly close in on Corlys’ ship. Before long, they were on deck, locked in fierce combat. As the ship began to break apart, Corlys fell into the water, and Alyn of Hull finished the fight. He tackled Sharako and killed her with a dagger to the neck.

Have you watched the first episode of Season 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max.