We all know that Westeros is ruthless. Death comes for even the most beloved of characters in the Game of Thrones universe, and no one is safe from unexpectedly meeting their end in the most gruesome of ways. So, to keep the streak going, House of the Dragon season 3 has wasted no time in reminding audiences worldwide that anyone can meet a terrible fate at any point.
The very first episode of the season, titled "Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood," featured a massive naval confrontation with the Battle of the Gullet, in which countless people from House Velaryon and the Triarchy were killed.
To make things worse, the episode culminated in the heartbreaking passing of Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett). Things didn't end there, however, as House of the Dragon season 3, episode 2 could also have featured an incredibly tragic death, and we didn't even see it.
Ser Lorent Marbrand may have died off-screen in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2
Lorent Marbrand (Max Wrottesley) may not have the biggest of roles in House of the Dragon, but he has been there from the very beginning. His very first appearance took place in episode 8 of the first season, "The Lord of the Tides," and since that very moment, he was one of the most trusted followers of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy).
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) had Lorent swear his loyalty to Rhaenyra or die burned by Caraxes. Unsurprisingly, Lorent chose the former option. He was also present at the funeral of his Queen's daughter, Visenya Targaryen, and later moved to Dragonstone, where he kept following every order he was given. To say Lorent has been a loyal man would be an understatement. However, he was faced with a very difficult choice in the very first episode of season 3.
When Rhaenyra discovers that a war is waging at the Gullet, she intends to ride Syrax into battle. However, Jace opposes this decision, arguing that if his mother were to die, then all this conflict would be in vain. So, when Rhaenyra goes to her room, Jace instructs Lorent to lock the door and confine the queen there to prevent her from going face-first into her death.
Lorent is, understandably, conflicted about what to do. On the one hand, Rhaenyra instructs him to open the door, yet he knows that not letting her go to war is the best way of protecting her. As such, Lorent eventually decides to keep his Queen imprisoned and lets Jace fly into battle instead. Unfortunately, this eventually leads to the death of Rhaenyra's eldest son.
During episode 2 of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra decides to fly to King's Landing after learning that Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) has left the city unprotected by flying to Harrenhal on his dragon, Vhagar. With the Iron Throne free for the taking, she just needs to enter the Red Keep and kill Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) to ensure there will be no opposition to her reign. But before leaving Dragonstone and setting her plan into motion, Rhaenyra says some very tragic words: "Let Ser Lorent choose how he will die."
Audiences never see the fallout of this decision, but there's no denying it: Lorent's time has come to its definite end. After all, his character also meets his end in George R.R. Martin's book franchise, A Song of Ice and Fire (although under very different circumstances).
It's very likely that we'll get confirmation of Lorent's fate during House of the Dragon season 3, episode 3, or a later episode. However, it's better to get ready to receive very bad news or even see his head on a spike.
Goodbye, Lorent; you were a good man.
New episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 air every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.
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