House of the Dragon season 3 has only just begun, but the writers are not holding back when it comes to killing off key characters as the show builds towards what will be its fourth and final season.
The first episode of season 3 quickly set the tone for the season ahead, ending with the heartbreaking death of Jace and his dragon Vermax during the Battle of the Gullet. Despite knowing that Jace and Vermax were marked for death given the events of Fire & Blood, it still did not ease the pain of watching them unfold, and their deaths quickly entered the list of most-heartbreaking deaths in the franchise.
With the arrival of episode 2, we anticipated more bloodshed would follow the Battle of the Gullet, and our expectations were met with a series of deaths. Episode 2 saw Aemond arriving at Harrenhal, where he slew Ser Simon and his sons before being severely wounded, leaving his fate up in the air, and ended with the death of Ser Otto Hightower at the hands of Rhaenyra as she reclaimed the Iron Throne.
It was yet another action-packed episode that marked the end of several key characters’ journeys in the show, including one whose death has been overlooked due to the nature of it happening off-screen.
Max Wrottesley confirms Lorent Marbrand’s death in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2
Episode 2 picks up in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet with Jace’s body recovered from the sea and brought back to Dragonstone. Upon learning the news of Jace’s death, Rhaenyra is overcome with emotion as she falls to her knees and begins shaking his limp body as she shouts at how he could do this to her. Lorent pulls Rhaenyra off Jace as he tells her to leave him.
Enraged, Rhaenyra confronts Lorent, who knows he has failed her. “My queen, I have failed you. My life must be forfeit,” Lorent replies as he hands over his sword and offers his life as repentance.
Rhaenyra questions what good that will do as she confronts Lorent and all those in the room for their betrayal as she collapses back to the ground, embracing Jace’s body as she cries out for her son. The action moves along quickly, and it’s not long after that Rhaenyra learns that Aemond has left King’s Landing with Vhagar, setting Alicent’s plan into motion.
Knowing there is a limited window for her to reclaim her throne by entering the Red Keep and killing Aegon, Rhaenyra sets out for King’s Landing. Before leaving, she orders her advisers to, "Let Ser Lorent choose how he will die."
Audiences never see Lorent’s death on-screen, but Max Wrottesley has confirmed that episode 2 was his final episode on the show – thus confirming Lorent’s death off-screen.
“It has been a huge pleasure and privilege to work with so many extraordinary talented and committed people. From the unrivaled crews, the kindest and most hard-working ADs, the caterers, the drivers (who helped me with childcare over and over) the world-class makeup and costume departments,” Wrottesley wrote in a lengthy goodbye post following the episode’s release.
“Time to take a bow Ser Lorent,” he continued. "Thank you to the fans of this brilliant show. By the way, I'm going to do another post where we decide how he meets his fate! Maybe a poll. Kisses to you all!”
If there were any doubts that Lorent was put to death following the role he indirectly played in Jace's death, those have been cleared up by Wrottesley's farewell to the series after three seasons. It's unfortunate that Lorent's death was relegated to a one-off line that many fans missed upon their first viewing of the episode, but it was the right decision given that showing his death would have really brought no added value.
We'll certainly miss Lorent's presence on the show moving forward, but are grateful to at least have a finite answer regarding his fate.
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