As a seasoned viewer of the Game of Thrones universe, I must say that the character development and foreshadowing in House of Dragon is nothing short of impressive. The second season has left us with a bittersweet taste, as we bid farewell to young Jacaerys Velaryon, who, much like his namesake Jaime Lannister, seems to be destined for a tragic end.
In the hit series “Game of Thrones” on HBO, characters frequently utter the High Valyrian phrase “valar morghulis,” meaning “all men must die.” Unfortunately, this applies to the cast in the first major spin-off and prequel from the show, “House of the Dragon,” which has also gained significant popularity for the premium network. Westeros is a treacherous land, and by the end of the first two seasons, several key characters have already perished. So, one might wonder about young Jacaerys Velaryon, portrayed by Harry Collett; will he too meet an untimely end in this dangerous world?
In the HBO series “House of the Dragon,” Jacaerys Velaryon, often called “Jace” (Emma D’Arcy’s eldest son), finds himself in a challenging situation as his mother Rhaenyra Targaryen leads a war against her own relatives. This conflict, between the Black and Green factions, aims to keep Tom Glynn-Carney’s King Aegon II Targaryen on the Iron Throne rather than Rhaenyra. As the battle escalates in Season 2, Jace stands by his mother, even after their younger relative Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) is tragically killed by Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), Aegon II’s brother, in a pivotal moment in the Season 1 finale. However, fans are left wondering if Jace’s fate is foreshadowed and how he meets his end in the Season 2 finale of “House of the Dragon.
Who is House of the Dragon’s Jacaerys Velaryon?
In the first season of “House of the Dragon,” young Jacaerys Velaryon is introduced with a strong focus on his brown hair and fair complexion, which stands out as he bears little resemblance to his supposed father, Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan). This is because, prior to Laenor’s staged death in the same season and his permanent departure from the conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra was involved in an affair with Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), the Commander of the City Watch at King’s Landing and one of the most powerful knights in the realm. Harwin secretly fathered Rhaenyra’s eldest sons Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey before this affair was revealed. Later on, after Laenor’s apparent demise, Rhaenyra marries her uncle Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), with whom she has additional half-siblings for Jacaerys.
In the second season, it becomes clear that Jace recognizes Ser Harwin as his father, having been close with him during their youth and receiving combat training from him prior to Ser Harwin’s demise at the hands of Larys Strong, his own brother. Jace has faced numerous hardships in life, losing not only his father but also his brother. Consequently, he becomes more serious and committed to his mother’s cause in the second season. He even undertakes travels across Westeros, including a journey to the Wall, in search of allies for her cause.
Here’s what happens to Jacaerys Velaryon in the books
As a passionate fan diving into the rich tapestry of George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the source for the upcoming series “House of the Dragon,” I eagerly anticipate witnessing Jacaerys Velaryon’s story unfold, particularly the heart-wrenching Battle of the Gullet that seems destined to grace our screens in Season 3. This epic clash takes place when my uncle, Corlys Velaryon, also known as the “Seasnake,” strategically seals off Driftmark from the Crownlands through a blockade in a stretch of water called The Gullet. Sadly for the Blacks, the Greens manage to secure the support of their age-old enemies, the Triarchy, who align themselves with Tyland Lannister, the Green’s spokesman, under the orders of Admiral Lokar and Abigail Thorn’s leadership.
In Martin’s book, it is mentioned that during the battle, Jace’s dragon, Vermax, sustains a fatal wound when struck by a Triarchy ship, causing his stomach to be severely slashed open. This injury ultimately leads to both Vermax’s and Jace’s demise. As described by Martin, Vermax plummeted towards the water, emitting smoke and screams while desperately trying to rise again. Unfortunately, he collided with a burning galley, causing it to splinter and lose its mast. The dragon then became entangled in the rigging, and when the ship sank, so did Vermax.
According to the account, Jacaerys Velaryon managed to escape and hang onto a fragment of burning debris briefly, before archers from a nearby Myrish ship started shooting arrows at him. The prince was hit multiple times, first once, then again. More and more Myrmen brought out their crossbows to attack him. Eventually, one arrow found its mark through his neck, and Jacaerys Velaryon sank into the sea.
Jacaerys Velaryon’s death may have been foreshadowed early in House of Dragons
Did the second season of “House of the Dragon” hint at Jacaerys Velaryon’s death in its conclusion? In a straightforward sense, yes; towards the end of the finale, Tyland and Lokar reach an understanding with the Triarchy to support the Greens, and they appear to be heading towards what appears to be the Battle of the Gullet. Corlys also sets sail for the Gullet with his fleet of ships, so it seems reasonable to assume that by early Season 3, we will witness the Battle of the Gullet, including Jace’s tragic death. (There were whispers during Season 2 of “House of the Dragon” that the season would culminate in the Battle of the Gullet, but instead it laid the groundwork for both this battle and Rhaenyra’s capture of King’s Landing, as the episode count was reduced from ten to eight.)
In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” there’s a pivotal scene that subtly hints at the manner of Jace’s death. In the second episode, titled “A Son for a Son,” following the assassination of Aegon II and Queen Helaena Targaryen’s eldest son in the premiere, we find Jace with his fiancée, cousin, and stepsister Baela Targaryen on the mountains outside Dragonstone. Baela, who bears a grudge against those responsible for her father Daemon’s actions, is practicing with a crossbow – a fact that holds weight for readers of “Fire & Blood.” This scene, filled with tender emotions between Baela and Jace, becomes all the more heart-wrenching when we see a crossbow in the midst of it.
Where Jacaerys Velaryon is by the end of House of the Dragon Season 2
Towards the conclusion of “House of the Dragon” Season 2, Jacearys Velaryon finds himself in a precarious situation. With the arrival of new dragonriders, he perceives them as potential threats to his title as prince. As it stands, Jace is aware that he’s the bastard son of Ser Harwin Strong, and these new riders, referred to as “dragonseeds,” are able to ride dragons due to their Valyrian blood, even though they are all bastards. In the second-to-last episode titled “The Red Sowing,” Rhaenyra gathers dragonseeds from various realms and pits them against a literal dragon’s lair to determine the strongest. Following the discovery that Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) had been chosen by Seasmoke as his rider, two more riders emerge: Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), picked by Vermithor, and Ulf White (Tom Bennett), selected by Silverwing.
Jace isn’t just annoyed by the rude behavior of some dragonseeds, with Ulf being a significant offender who constantly oversteps his limits at Dragonstone. Despite his strong bond with Rhaenyra, he appears deeply concerned about the entire dragonseed project. Unfortunately for him, things are only going to get worse.
The first two seasons of “House of the Dragon” are available on Max now.
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2024-12-11 15:30