House of the Dragon Season 3 Theory: Major Missing Character Set to Return During Rhaenyra’s Greatest Tragedy

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the source material for House of the Dragon, and possible spoilers for season 3.

Anticipating House of the Dragon Season 3

The upcoming season of House of the Dragon promises to be the show’s most intense installment yet, featuring dramatic character arcs and pivotal events. As we delve deeper into Rhaenyra Targaryen’s journey, the stakes will rise significantly as she lays claim to King’s Landing and the Iron Throne—a position she believes is rightfully hers. However, this triumph is sure to be accompanied by heart-wrenching lows.

With the civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, gaining momentum, audiences can expect a plethora of intense battles, betrayals, and unforeseen twists. While Team Black secures remarkable victories against Team Green, they also face crushing setbacks. Amid this turbulent narrative, there is a chance for a pivotal character, long absent from the storyline, to make a dramatic return in season 3, potentially heightening the emotional stakes of a tragic scene.

The Case for Harrold Westerling’s Return

The Character’s Abrupt Exit

Ser Harrold Westerling, formerly the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, made his last appearance in season 1, resigning in protest against the Hightower family’s coup to install Aegon II as king. His premature exit left many wondering about the implications, especially since, in Fire & Blood, his character meets his fate years before the civil war escalates. This deviation from the source material suggests that his storyline is far from over and raises questions about when he might return, particularly after his noticeable absence in season 2.

Graham McTavish portrayed Harrold Westerling across nine episodes in season 1, losing only the finale. The actor himself has hinted at a possible return, noting in a 2024 interview with The Nerd Shepherd that filming for season 3 might commence in March of next year. This statement implies his involvement, suggesting that Westerling’s return could indeed come to fruition.

Potential Tragedy in King’s Landing

Impending Challenges for Rhaenyra

While a return for Westerling seems plausible, Rhaenyra’s reign in King’s Landing is foreboding. According to the books, the dynamics in the capital will shift against her, resulting in public unrest fueled by ongoing conflict. The tragic suicide of Helaena Targaryen serves as a turning point, igniting riots that culminate in the notorious Storming of the Dragonpit, as the citizens of King’s Landing attack the dragons with deadly fervor.

This chaos leads to significant casualties, including the loss of one of Rhaenyra’s sons, Joffrey Velaryon. In a desperate attempt to protect his own dragon, Tyraxes, Joffrey takes to the skies on Rhaenyra’s dragon, Syrax, placing himself in grave danger and leading to a heartbreaking end. In a desperate rescue mission, Rhaenyra dispatches several knights, known as the Seven Who Rode, under the command of Ser Glendon Goode, to save Joffrey. However, despite their bravado, they meet with tragedy.

Joffrey’s fall from Syrax not only ends in his death but also sets a gruesome scene as the mob descends upon him. This moment presents an opportunity for Ser Harrold Westerling to regain his position as a protective figure within Rhaenyra’s Queensguard in the wake of significant losses among her knights. His character embodies integrity and valor, making him the ideal choice to support Rhaenyra during her most perilous times.

A Paralleling Demise: Harrold vs. Barristan Selmy

Reflecting on Game of Thrones

Westerling’s potential storyline mirrors that of Ser Barristan Selmy from Game of Thrones, offering both a cautionary tale and a creative opportunity. Both characters are seasoned knights who have served as Lord Commanders of the Kingsguard and both resign due to a crisis of honor.

Distinguished knights serving significant roles, resigning due to moral dilemmas.
Both are absent from the second season only to return for crucial roles related to Targaryen queens.

While Barristan’s death in season 5 felt abrupt and unsatisfactory, Harrold’s demise—if intertwined with Joffrey’s tragic end—could deliver the emotional weight that Barristan’s exit lacked. This poignant moment would solidify Harrold’s return as not just a compelling narrative choice but as a meaningful part of the tapestry of sacrifice and duty that defines House of the Dragon.

In summation, not only would Harrold Westerling’s return provide continuity, it would significantly enhance the drama of Rhaenyra’s plight and reflect the show’s ongoing themes of loyalty and honor in the face of insurmountable odds.

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