Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon’s source material.
A theory aboutHouse of the Dragonseason 3 suggests that the show’s saddest death could be changed, and one Rhaenyra scene from season 2 indicates the possibility. The HBO prequel series is based on the bookFire & Blood, a companion piece toGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Fireseries. With any adaptation comes the need to make changes to the source material to better fit the television medium, though, in the case ofHouse of the Dragon, those changes have resulted in division among audiences.
House of the Dragonseason 2’s endingreceived a significant amount of flack for leaving audiences without a worthy climax, but the more notable controversies of the season were the many changes made to the book’s story. For example, Blood & Cheese, the Battle of Rook’s Rest, and the Sowing of the Seeds were among the most exciting moments in the shortened eight-episode season, and each of them involved at least one change to Martin’s text. With those changes in mind,it’s possible to anticipate ways that future climactic events might differ from the source material.
Jacaerys Could Be Betrayed At The Battle Of The Gullet
The Betrayers Could Betray Even Earlier
The death of Jacaerys Velaryon at the Battle of the Gullet is one of the most upsetting impending moments, as audiences have quickly grown to love actor Harry Collett’s portrayal of the bastard prince. He’s young but determined to defend his mother’s and, by extension, his own right to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and he spends much of season 2 suffering from feelings of inadequacy and inaction. InFire & Blood, thosefeelings of inaction lead to his death in battle, as he flies too low and is shot by enemy crossbows, falling off his dragon.
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The theory being posed here suggests that Jacaerys' death will have an added dramatic flair to it, with him being betrayed in the battle by Ulf. This could play out very similar to Aemond’s betrayal of Aegon at Rook’s Rest, with Ulf attacking Jacaerys and forcing him into a lesser position, allowing enemy crossbows to fire at him. There’s some poetry to Jace’s death in the books that would be disappointing to completely strip, but the point of him overextending himself can still be effective if he chooses to join the battle against Rhaenyra’s wishes.
Jacaerys & Rhaenyra’s Season 2 Argument Sets Up The Betrayal
Jacaerys Doesn’t Want Lowborn Men To Receive Dragons
Jacaerys is notably furious with Rhaenyra for the idea of the Red Sowing, believingthe new dragonseedsto be unworthy of what they’ve been granted. He’s importantly insecure about his own position, knowing himself to be illegitimate, andworries that without dragon superiority, he has no more claim to the throne than any of the rest of them. Given that this drama doesn’t happen in the books, it’s worth noting what weight it carries forHouse of the Dragonas a larger story.
Having Ulf betray Jace would confirm Jace’s argument against the dragonseeds, but for the wrong reasons
Jacaerys and Ulf’s rivalry in the season 2 finale further foreshadows continued bad blood between them, and it could become dangerous rather quickly when they fly into battle together. Having Ulf betray Jace would confirm Jace’s argument against the dragonseeds, but for the wrong reasons, and that’s the type of twisted hypothesisHouse of the Dragonloves to explore. After all, his opinion about the dragonseeds is rooted in Targaryen supremacy and elitism, not an assessment of Ulf’s individual character.
Ulf Betraying Jacaerys Expedites His Season 3 Arc
Ulf’s Treachery Would Happen Much Sooner
Ulf is known for his betrayal of Rhaenyra at the First Battle of Tumbleton, but the show has already made it clear he’s not particularly loyal. He got lucky in claiming Silverwing, and now he desires power and wealth. Throughout season 3,he’ll likely attempt to make plays to obtain more than what Rhaenyra offers him, as he and Hugh do in the book. Their demands not being met would be a partial reason for them betraying the Blacks at the Battle of Tumbleton.
Having Ulf betray Jacaerys at the Battle of the Gullet would expedite this arc, but it would make for some interesting drama. If he did so over enemy lines, it’s possible that those loyal to Rhaenyra wouldn’t see exactly what happened. Having Hugh witness such an act would be interesting, as he’d then be roped into Ulf’s treachery, leading to his character exploring conflicting feelings about his loyalty. It’s just a theory, butHouse of the Dragonseems to have laid out the seeds for something more between Jace and Ulf.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
