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House of the Dragon season 3 is back with a bang, but along with giving us a seriously dramatic battle, the premiere also proves one George R.R. Martin character won't be adapted to the screen.
The first episode revolves around the Battle of the Gullet, the bloodiest naval battle in Westerosi history. It plays out pretty differently in the book, however, and one of the biggest changes is that the show leaves out a character named Nettles.
Below, we've broken down who Nettles is and her role in the story, explaining why it's a big deal that she's not making it to the screen in House of the Dragon season 3. That naturally means there are some book spoilers ahead, so turn back now if you don't want to know what might be coming up in the show. Otherwise, head to the below to get up to speed on this missing dragonseed.
House of the Dragon season 3, episode 1 proves Nettles won't be adapted
In the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere, Rhaena, the daughter of Daemon Targaryen and the late Laena Velaryon, successfully claims the wild dragon Sheepstealer. It was hinted that this would happen in the season 2 finale, but the latest episode finally shows us the outcome of Rhaena's attempt.
After claiming Sheepstealer, Rhaena and her new dragon fly to war and join the Battle of the Gullet. Unfortunately, Sheepstealer can't tell friend from foe, and starts indiscriminately attacking ships – and even Rhaena's own sister, Baela. Rhaena is also, tragically, unable to save Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon Vermax from brutally perishing.
But, in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, Sheepstealer is claimed by a dragonseed named Nettles (also sometimes called Netty). Nettles fights in the Battle of the Gullet, though she is not involved in Jacaerys's death.
In the book, Daemon and Nettles also form a unique relationship, with one of the historical sources – Fire and Blood is pieced together from multiple unreliable narrators' accounts – suggesting Daemon takes Nettles as his paramour, while another says they were more like father and daughter. The exact nature of their relationship is unclear, but what is clear is that they are extremely close as they search for Aemond Targaryen together.
In King's Landing, this leads to Rhaenyra, at Mysaria's urging (the White Worm tells the queen that Daemon and Nettles are sleeping together), declaring Nettles a traitor and demanding her head, which drives a wedge between Rhaenyra and Daemon. Nettles flees on Sheepstealer, and she survives the Dance of the Dragons, though her ultimate fate is ambiguous. Daemon, meanwhile, does not return to Rhaenyra, and his story leads straight to the Gods Eye.
With Nettles confirmed not to exist in the show, it's unclear how House of the Dragon season 3 will adapt this part of the story, if it does at all. And, Nettles may still exist in some form as the season goes on, just without the Sheepstealer or dragonseeds plotline. We'll just have to wait and see.
You can keep up to date with our House of the Dragon release schedule. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Game of Thrones movies and shows or all the new TV shows on the way.
