House of the Dragon has exploded back onto our screens with its season 3 premiere, and we've had to say goodbye to one major character already.
The following contains major spoilers for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 1, so turn back now if you're not up to date!
The new episode depicts the Battle of the Gullet, and, as fans of George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood will know, the major casualties of that particular naval clash are Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon Vermax.
Jace and Vermax are killed in the show when Jace pursues Sheepstealer, an out-of-control wild dragon claimed by Rhaena, who is indiscriminately attacking both sides in the battle. Sadly, Jace flies too low when Sheepstealer gives chase, and Vermax is struck by a harpoon weighed down by an anchor. Vermax sinks and drowns, while Jace survives the descent into the ocean but is swiftly killed by arrows fired from a nearby ship.
Harry Collett, who plays Jace in the show, has revealed that he had one request for his death sequence.
"There's no way I can leave this show without saying 'Dracarys!'" Collett told Entertainment Weekly. "There was no way. Not on my watch."
Dracarys, of course, is the Valyrian word for dragonfire, used as a command to burn enemies. As you might expect, the Battle of the Gullet involves plenty of dragonfire.
"I'm shouting these Valyrian words and saying 'Dracarys,' which wasn't really originally in the script," Collett added. "I actually asked if I could say that. So I was really happy about that."
So far, Rhaenyra has not learned of the death of her firstborn son and heir, but we can expect the fallout to be huge when the news reaches her on Dragonstone.
House of the Dragon continues weekly on HBO in the US and HBO Max, Sky, and NOW in the UK. You can keep up to date with our House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule.
For more, read our House of the Dragon season 3 review or why the Battle of the Gullet book changes make Jace's death even bleaker.
