Season 3 Trailer Reveals Major Book Change

Everyone’s favorite dysfunctional house will return for more bloody (and brutal) infighting this summer. House Targaryen’s infamous Dance of the Dragons is in full swing on HBO’s House of the Dragon, if the official Season 3 trailer is anything to go by. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Targaryen compendium Fire & Blood, there’s still so much to adapt for the short-lived but house-altering civil war. One such pivotal event was supposed to transpire at the end of Season 2, but now fans can expect it as the opening to the show’s eight-episode third season.

The Battle of the Gullet is known as the bloodiest sea battle in Westerosi history. In the Season 2 finale, Lord Corlys Velaryon and Alyn of Hull sail toward the Gullet with the Velaryon fleet on the Queen Who Never Was. Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, and Ulf White arm themselves and prepare to fly their dragons Seasmoke, Vermithor, and Silverwing into the fray, respectively. Compared to what fans have seen thus far on the action front in House of the Dragon, the Battle of the Gullet will blow everything out of the water (sorry). However, there’s one change, a mere five seconds into the new Season 3 trailer, that confirms something fans have already speculated and alters one character’s journey forever.

The ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Trailer Shows Baela Targaryen at the Gullet

HBO

If you saw Baela Targaryen riding astride her dragon Moondancer, no, your eyes did not deceive you. Moondancer is already a pretty distinctive creature in her own right, with her punk-rock look. Moondancer made her show debut in House of the Dragon Season 2, when Baela took her to patrol the skies above the Crownlands. There, she and Moondancer intimidate Ser Criston Cole, Ser Gwayne Hightower, and their host, but their company takes refuge in a dense forest before Moondancer can attack.

In the Season 3 trailer, Baela and Moondancer are clearly soaring above burning ships in the Gullet. This is quite the departure from the source material. Baela isn’t involved in the Battle of the Gullet in Fire & Blood. Instead, she was confined to Dragonstone, refusing to leave Jacaerys Velaryon’s side, as they were betrothed. When Moondancer was large enough to fly, Baela divided her time between Dragonstone and Driftmark.

While Baela doesn’t fight for Rhaenyra Targaryen in the Battle of the Gullet, another key player for Team Black does: Nettles. In Fire & Blood, Nettles, a dragonseed, is the one who bonds with Sheepstealer in the Vale. Rhaena Targaryen encounters Sheepstealer in the Season 2 finale of the show. Nettles rides Sheepstealer into the Battle of the Gullet alongside Addam, Ulf, Hugh, and Jace. By having Baela participate in the famed sea battle, we now have confirmation that Nettles isn’t part of the overarching narrative. It appears Nettles’ story will merge with Rhaena’s and Baela’s respective arcs, with each character taking elements of her journey. So, there’s a great possibility that Rhaena will claim Sheepstealer instead of Morning, her late-hatching dragon.

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Fire & Blood and House of the Dragon Season 3!

The Battle of the Gullet Outcome Will Have New Meaning for Baela

Jace Velaryon on Vermax in House of the Dragon Season 3

The Battle of the Gullet had its fair share of casualties, but none were more significant than poor Jace and his dragon, Vermax. Rhaenyra lost Lucerys Velaryon shortly after her father died. Then, Jace met his demise during the Battle of the Gullet when Vermax flew too low and crashed into a blazing galley. Jace leaped onto the burning wreckage of the ship to save himself. Unfortunately, the Triarchy shot him with multiple arrows as he sank into the sea. His death was a deep loss for Team Black, and it certainly affected Rhaenyra’s actions as she became more vengeful in the aftermath. There’s a shot in the House of the Dragon Season 3 trailer that sees Jace fly close to the sea’s surface. That’s more than likely the moment prior to his death.

Baela’s involvement in the Battle of the Gullet will inject her journey with more emotional, personal stakes. It’s one thing to hear of the tragedy after the fact while ensconced on Dragonstone. However, it’s another thing entirely to witness it with your own eyes. Talk about trauma. The series fleshed out Baela and Jace’s bond, giving it more depth and resonance than Martin did in Fire & Blood. This could easily give way to an understandably unforgiving Baela in the Dance to come. Bring it on.