We can now officially say we’re just hours away from seeing the Battle of the Gullet play out on our screens in House of the Dragon season 3. The highly anticipated event, which goes down as one of the bloodiest naval battles in Westeros history, changes everything in the Dance of the Dragons. The Targaryen civil war crosses a line it can’t take back tonight, and viewers who don’t know what happens in the source material, George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, are bound to be shocked.
But even if you have read the book, the battle will still mesmerize. Having seen the season 3 premiere early, I cannot wait to hear viewers’ reactions to the sheer spectacle the cast and crew were able to pull off. Fans know that showrunner Ryan Condal has been saying things like this is “arguably the craziest episode of television ever made” all press tour, and honestly, it really is impressive.
If you don’t know the book spoilers behind the Battle of the Gullet, I’d strongly recommend going in as blind as possible. But I can’t stop you if you want to read about it before the episode drops this evening. WARNING: Major spoilers from Fire & Blood are below.
How the Battle of the Gullet kicks off
In Fire & Blood, Jacaerys Velaryon takes it upon himself to carry out plans to protect Team Black. This includes sending off his half-brothers Aegon and Viserys to Pentos on a ship called the Gay Abandon, and coordinating the Sowing of the Seeds, a.k.a. finding people outside of the noble houses with Valyrian blood to claim dragons. Unlike in House of the Dragon, the book features four dragonseeds: Hugh Hammer, Ulf White, Addam of Hull, and Nettles—the last character being sadly omitted from the adaptation.
The Battle of the Gullet kicks off when the Gay Abandon is captured by the Triarchy, who Otto Hightower formed an alliance with (in the show, Tyland Lannister forms this agreement). A major battle ensues between House Velaryon’s fleet, led by Corlys, and the Triarchy army, led by Sharako Lohar. Multiple dragons show up to fight for Rhaenyra, including Jace on Vermax, Ulf on Silverwing, Addam on Seasmoke, Hugh on Vermithor, and Nettles on Sheepstealer.
The major deaths I’m still not over
Though Team Black ends up “winning” the Battle of the Gullet, it’s at a great cost. Both Jace and Vermax lose their lives, causing great devastation for Rhaenyra and her family.
Vermax’s death is one debated on in Westeros history; one account says an arrow went through his eye, while another says a grapnel lodged into his body. In any case, the dragon sadly goes down and, after a struggle, dies. It’s believed that Jace is able to get to safety, hanging onto a piece of wreckage from one of the ships in the water. But he’s spotted instantly and, after multiple arrow wounds, gets shot through the neck and dies.
Thousands of other people die in the Battle of the Gullet, but these are the only two named characters. As Fire & Blood reads: “The Velaryon fleet lost almost a third of its strength. Thousands died. Yet none of these were felt so deeply as that of Jacaerys Velaryon, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne.” As for Rhaenyra’s other sons who were on the Gay Abandon, Aegon is able to flee, while Viserys is presumed dead—but, as later learned, actually survives.
The Battle of the Gullet is heartbreaking, as is the aftermath. “There is the reality before the Gullet and the reality after the Gullet,” Condal shared with Entertainment Weekly when hyping up the big battle. It’s truly a turning point for House Targaryen, and things will never be the same.
Now, how will House of the Dragon depict the battle when all is said and done? Will they be faithful and kill off Jace, and will anyone else meet their fate? That’s something you’ll have to wait to find out. We won’t share spoilers for the episode until it’s out!
Catch the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere tonight on HBO and HBO Max at 9:00 p.m. ET.
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