House of the Dragon episode 7 all but confirmed this major death is coming in the season 3 finale

The penultimate episode of House of the Dragon season 3 certainly gave fans a lot to think about and speculate over. Episode 7 was filled with major developments, with the last 20 minutes of the episode serving up some of the greatest and most shocking moments we’ve seen this entire season. 

It’s clear after watching the episode that the House of the Dragon writers are aiming to end season 3 with a bang, which is something we can all appreciate after how underwhelming the season 2 finale was. The final episode of the season is sure to bring about some incredible moments, but it’s also likely to break viewers’ hearts in more ways than one. 

We’re expecting an epic finale, and that will likely mean at least a few major character deaths. Depending on how far the creative team gets in adapting the source material from Fire & Blood, we could see a few characters’ journeys come to an end, but there is one character in particular whose fate seems to be sealed by the events of the penultimate episode—and this death is one that we’ve been dreading. 

Warning: Potential House of the Dragon spoilers ahead as well as spoilers from Fire & Blood. 

The House of the Dragon season 3 finale will likely bring the death of Helaena

As anyone who has read Fire & Blood knows, there are many deaths across the book, and most of these deaths come via epic fight sequences during the war and via shocking betrayals. However, there is one key death from the book that does not come on the battlefield or at the direct hand of an enemy, which is actually one of the most heartbreaking deaths in all of Fire & Blood: the death of Queen Helaena Targaryen. 

In the book, it is revealed that Helaena threw herself from her window in Maegor’s Holdfast, resulting in her death after she is impaled upon the iron spikes lining the dry moat below. Her death comes after she learns her youngest son, Maelor, has been killed by a mob of people who literally tear the boy apart fighting over him after Rhaenyra offers a reward for his return to King’s Landing—this, after Alicent had smuggled both Maelor and Jaehaera out of the city after Rhaenyra invaded King’s Landing. 

After learning of her son’s death, a grief-stricken Helaena throws herself from the window, and her death ultimately leads to the people of King’s Landing turning on Rhaenyra even further, suspecting she was responsible for Helaena’s death. This uproar eventually leads to Rhaenyra leaving the city. 

Of course, the events of Helaena’s death are not likely to go down the same on the show due to major creative liberties taken with the source material and her storyline. What we do know, though, is that Helaena’s death is likely coming in the season finale, with the penultimate episode continuing the heavy-handed foreshadowing of her death. 

All season long, we’ve seen Helaena struggle with being held captive by Rhaenyra, and the show has made several references to the window, alluding to Helaena’s fate. We’ve also seen the show incorporate scenes throughout the season of Helaena caring for a caterpillar found in the garden. 

Helaena first encountered the caterpillar in the garden at a time when the caterpillar was most vulnerable, much like Helaena. Next, we saw the caterpillar in its cocoon, a time of internal turmoil and a turning point for the caterpillar, a journey that mirrored Helaena’s own internal turmoil over the circumstances she found herself in. We fully expect that the caterpillar will emerge as a butterfly in the season finale timed to Helaena’s death as the show ties the moment into the symbolism of freedom and escaping from suffering. Just as a butterfly emerges and escapes from its cocoon, we imagine that Helaena will escape the prison she’s found herself trapped in, with her death coming as a result of her needing release from the war around her. 

At the end of episode 7, we saw Helaena dreaming of a vision in which her son Maelor was born, and she later saw herself taking to Dreamfyre to kill common folk before the winter winds started blowing. We know Helaena has wanted no part in this war, and the vision of herself transforming into someone she does not want to be seems to hint that perhaps the show might alter the catalyst for her death. 

It’s still possible that Maelor’s death will be the driving force, but the show will have to alter the circumstances of his death heavily. What seems likely at this point is that Helaena may realize there is no escaping the cage she’s found herself trapped in and that this ongoing war will only lead to further pain and heartache. Rather than transforming into a monster she does not recognize, Helaena may choose to end her life of her own accord. 

Regardless of the circumstances, we’re not ready for Helaena’s death and know it’s going to be one of the most heartbreaking moments in the show’s run. We are also more certain than ever that it will be coming in the finale.

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