Between the Battle of the Gullet and the Fall of King's Landing, the third season of House of the Dragon has gotten off to a thrilling start. Major characters have died, dragons have perished, plots have come to fruition (or backfired), and when the dust settled on it all, the Seven Kingdoms had a new ruler. Episode 302 ended with Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) finally claiming her place on the Iron Throne. But there's still six episodes ahead this season and a whole fourth season in the works besides; I wouldn't expect her to sit too comfortably on that chair of swords anytime soon.
From the first batch of photographs HBO released for season 3 episode 3, House of the Dragon isn't going to waste any time before exploring what ruling looks like for Rhaenyra. Nearly every single one of the almost two dozen images the studio dropped either features the Black Queen, or is set in King's Landing where she'll be presiding. HOTD's next episode is a conceptual episode which was teased by showrunner Ryan Condal early last year, and it seems to be all about Rhaenyra.
But there will be some other important figures at play too, especially those who come into the queen's orbit. Among the many photos released by HBO is an extremely intriguing still that reveals the return of a character we haven't seen since late in season 1: the High Septon of the Faith of the Seven.
The High Septon returns in House of the Dragon season 3
Played by Simon Chandler, the High Septon presides over all matters that involve the Faith. We last saw him in season 1 episode 9, "The Green Council," where he formally anointed Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) as king. Presumably, the High Septon has been performing his duties in the background since then in King's Landing, or perhaps in Oldtown where the Faith is based. But the show hasn't had need of him since the Greens' fateful coronation, so he's remained off-screen.
That's about to change in season 3 episode 3, where he'll meet with Rhaenyra. As queen, she'll have to have dealings with all sorts of factions in King's Landing and the realm at large, and that includes the Faith. The question is what exactly brings these two characters together — and what the tenor of their meeting is.
The one duty relating to kings we know the High Septon does is to take a formal hand in coronations, anointing and blessing each new ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaenyra's crowning was a hasty affair at Dragonstone, but she's never received a proper coronation that would be respected by the realm at large. Perhaps that will play a role in this meeting, and whatever comes after it.
Are Fire & Blood's Septon Eustace and the High Septon from House of the Dragon the same person?
There's another fascinating angle to the High Septon's reappearance, which could end up making this seemingly minor character much more important in the grand scheme of things. In George R.R. Martin's novel Fire & Blood, it's not the High Septon who anoints Aegon, but Septon Eustace, the personal septon to King Viserys who serves as one of the primary sources for the book's account of the Dance of the Dragons civil war. The High Septon himself is too old and weak to travel from Oldtown.
Eustace isn't an exceptionally noteworthy character during the Dance itself, but his role grows much more important in the overall arc of history, since he's one of the few people who gets to tell his version of events for the downfall of House Targaryen. He's biased toward the Greens and King Aegon, and that often shows in the way he spins facts and descriptions of characters like Rhaenyra.
While actor Simon Chandler is credited as the High Septon in this official photograph from House of the Dragon season 3, HBO Max's subtitles for Aegon's coronation actually call his character Septon Eustace, which is about as clear a nod to the Fire & Blood character as you can find. IMDb on the other hand, credits him as "High Septon Balman," though it's worth noting that this is not an official name that's ever been released by HBO.
This could mean one of a few things for House of the Dragon and its High Septon. Either Eustace becomes the High Septon in the television show, or was the High Septon all along, which would be a convenient way of streamlining things to be less confused. Or, it's possible the show is recycling Chandler as a cast member, similar to how Tommen Baratheon actor Dean-Charles Chapman played two members of the Lannister family over the course of Game of Thrones' run. Personally, I doubt that House of the Dragon is going that route; I think it's much more likely that Eustace and the High Septon have been combined for the sake of the show.
Thankfully, we won't have to speculate about this for too long. House of the Dragon season 3 premieres its third episode this Sunday on HBO and HBO Max. Be on the lookout for the return of Eustace!
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