What happened to Jace in the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere?
- Priya Sandhu
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Prince Jacaerys Velaryon died in the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere after being shot by Myrish arrows during the Battle of the Gullet. His dragon Vermax was brought down by a scorpion grapnel hook, leaving him exposed in the water. It is a brutal end for Rhaenyra's heir and completely reshapes the war for the Iron Throne. I had Sky Go open on my laptop at 2 AM for the simulcast, and by the time the credits rolled, Twitter was already in shambles over the pacing. If you slept through the broadcast and are trying to catch up before your commute, the casualties are heavy. Jace's death mirrors his fate in George R.R. Martin's text, but the show changed exactly how he ended up in the crossfire. In a massive deviation from the book, Jace actually orders the Queen's Guard to barricade his mother Rhaenyra in her chambers. He wants to keep her away from the Triarchy fleet. The dynamic on Dragonstone right now is playing out like the final week of The Traitors UK, with everyone turning on their own allies to secure screen time and glory. Jace takes Vermax to the Gullet alongside his betrothed, Baela, on Moondancer. While they manage to save each other from the initial scorpion chains, the arrival of Rhaena on the untamed dragon Sheepstealer turns the battle into total chaos.
The Alicent and Aemond kiss explained
While the naval battle took up half the episode, the moment everyone is actually texting about is the interaction between Alicent and her son Aemond. Before Aemond flies Vhagar to Harrenhal, he leans in for a kiss, and Alicent lets it happen.
The discourse around this has been trending all morning. A "source" leaked hints about this interaction to the press two days before the premiere, which is not a coincidence, it is a release-week plant to guarantee day-one viewership. We are already seeing the usual tabloid pile-on calling Alicent a deviant and a hysterical mother, completely ignoring that male characters in this universe have done far worse for three consecutive seasons without a fraction of the moral panic.
Rhaena, Sheepstealer, and the Battle of the Gullet
Rhaena's shaky bond with Sheepstealer is the defining disaster of the premiere. In the text, Nettles rides Sheepstealer with relative control. In the show, Rhaena begs the dragon to obey as it randomly torches both the Triarchy ships and her grandfather Corlys Velaryon's fleet. It even claws at her own sister Baela. It is a stark reminder that Targaryens do not have magical control over these weapons. Elsewhere in the episode, Daemon finishes off the Lannister troops at the Battle of the Red Fork, leaving Jason Lannister dead at the hands of the Winter Wolves. The dragonseeds (Hugh, Ulf, and Addam) have been sidelined near Harrenhal, completely missing the naval battle.
Quick Facts: The Battle of the Gullet
Who is involved: Jace Velaryon, Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen, Corlys Velaryon, and Triarchy commander Sharako Lohar.
What happened: Jace is killed. Sharako Lohar is defeated by Alyn of Hull. Rhaena loses control of Sheepstealer, causing heavy friendly fire.
When: Aired Monday 22 June 2026 at 2:00 AM BST.
Where: Sky Atlantic and NOW Entertainment in the UK, HBO in the US.
Status: Confirmed. Jace and Jason Lannister are dead. Corlys's fate remains ambiguous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in the battle of the gullet?
Prince Jace Velaryon and Triarchy commander Sharako Lohar both died during the Battle of the Gullet in the season 3 premiere. Jace was shot by archers after his dragon Vermax was grounded, while Lohar was defeated by Alyn of Hull.
What happened to Jace in House of the Dragon season 3?
Jace was killed by Myrish arrows during the Battle of the Gullet. This happened shortly after he barricaded his mother Rhaenyra in her room so he could lead the dragon assault himself.
Where to watch House of the Dragon UK and Ireland?
House of the Dragon broadcasts on Sky Atlantic and streams on NOW Entertainment in the UK and Ireland. New episodes air at 2:00 AM BST on Mondays to simulcast with the US, followed by a prime-time broadcast at 9:00 PM.
Is House of the Dragon on RTE Player?
No, the series is not available on RTE Player. Viewers in Ireland need a Sky Atlantic subscription or a NOW Entertainment membership to watch the new season.
Rhaena Sheepstealer explained? Rhaena bonds with the wild dragon Sheepstealer in the Vale, but she cannot control him. During the Battle of the Gullet, the dragon ignores her commands, burning allied Velaryon ships and attacking her sister Baela.
Comments