We can now officially say we’ve survived the Battle of the Gullet 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 didn’t know what happens from the source material, George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, were certainly shocked.
But even if you have read the book, the battle still mesmerizes. 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. There are some changes from the book, namely the removal of the dragonseeds and inclusion of Rhaena on Sheepstealer, but the cast and crew still pulled it off. Another big book change is the number of named characters who die. In the book, it’s only one—and his dragon. But in the show, it’s two big ones.
We break down what happens in Fire & Blood vs. what happens in the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere 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.
In House of the Dragon, the Gay Abandon subplot is removed altogether. As mentioned, the dragonseeds are not involved in the battle, but instead, Rhaena flies in on Sheepstealer looking to help. What she doesn’t anticipate is not being able to control the wild dragon, however, and he ends up wreaking havoc.
Fire & Blood vs. House of the Dragon deaths
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 in Fire & Blood; 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.
In House of the Dragon, Jace and Vermax die, too, in a very similar fashion. The only main difference is that in the book, of course, Rhaena is not chasing the other dragons on Sheepstealer. The show adds this new complication in the story, one that will definitely come back up in future episodes. Another book change is the additional death of Sharako Lohar. Alyn of Hull is able to kill her after an awesome fight in the water onscreen, but this is not something that happens in Fire & Blood.
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.
Catch new episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 every Sunday night on HBO and HBO Max. Watch the trailer for the weeks ahead here.
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