The 17 saddest deaths in 'House of the Dragon,' ranked

Hear america out: We loved Paddy Considine arsenic King Viserys the Peaceful, but his decease was truthful evidently inevitable that it didn't animate overmuch daze aliases devastation.

For one, the king's decease was ever going to beryllium basal to footwear disconnected the warfare of succession known arsenic the Dance of the Dragons, which is the full constituent of this show. But much importantly, Viserys' death was preceded by a long, agonizing, leprosy-like illness, specified that it almost came arsenic a alleviation to spot his suffering end.

We hardly sewage to cognize Lady Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford), Daemon's estranged first wife, earlier she was heartlessly murdered by her ain husband.

Given that Daemon referred to Rhea arsenic the "Bronze Bitch" and refused to consummate their marriage, what we did cognize of her wasn't very compelling.

Still, it was hardly nosy to watch Daemon sacrifice a existent personification successful his selfish quest for power.

With Aegon II maimed and presumed dormant for overmuch of play three, Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton) stepped successful to play Rhaenyra's main antagonist.

After falsely swearing fealty to Rhaenyra, Ormund took complete Tumbleton, a mini marketplace municipality adjacent King's Landing. He sowed chaos and section successful the superior metropolis utilizing a web of spies and assassins each loyal to the Targaryen-Hightower statement of succession. He became for illustration a malevolent shadow, haunting Rhaenyra's rule, moreover though they'd ne'er really met successful person.

Ormund planned to crown Prince Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) arsenic King of Westeros, but successful reality, he was a Hightower supremacist who believed each Targaryens to beryllium savages. He was cruel, deceptive, arrogant, profoundly misogynistic and elitist — and, erstwhile it came down to it, amazingly inept successful battle.

When Rhaenyra's loyal big of Northeners and Rivermen fought pinch the Hightower service astatine Tumbleton, Ormund thought he'd already won: He'd secretly struck a woody pinch Ulf the White (Tom Bennett), 1 of Rhaenyra's sworn dragonriders, to deny the queen successful speech for a castle and a lordship.

But Ormund's arrogance sewage the amended of him. He berated his ain expected ally, insulting Ulf's commencement and intelligence, causing Ulf to pain some armies — a powerfulness move that Ormund ne'er could person seen coming. He expected Ulf to simply travel orders.

During the Battle of Tumbleton, Ormund was overpowered by Ser Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan), truthful he was going to dice anyway. But successful his last moments, he was forced to watch Ulf move his vengeance connected his ain men. Ormund was yet killed by a low-born dragonrider, the nonstop benignant of personification he astir despised.

It's profoundly satisfying to watch a existent villain for illustration Ormund get his comeuppance. The calamity of this segment is that early episodes will beryllium robbed of Norton's sinister, scene-stealing performance.

By the clip Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) was beheaded by Queen Rhaenyra arsenic a traitor, viewers hadn't seen him for a season's worthy of episodes.

After Otto was fired by his grandson successful play two, the erstwhile Hand of the King was secretly imprisoned successful the dungeons of the Red Keep, awaiting the time he mightiness go a useful governmental pawn. That time came erstwhile Rhaenyra took the Iron Throne, and Otto was delivered to Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) arsenic a prisoner.

Daemon urged his woman to execute Otto — the begetter of her puerility champion friend, and her ain father's adjacent friend — arsenic a show of spot and justice. With the throne room afloat of onlookers, Rhaenyra had nary prime but to decapitate Otto connected the spot.

The segment is heartbreaking to watch because of Rhaenyra's guttural reaction. Few fans are apt to mourn Otto himself — a sadistic striver who schemed to crown his moronic grandson, some to the realm's detriment and his own.

Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) was killed successful a lopsided battle, known successful the book arsenic the Butcher's Ball.

Flanked by his meager group of loyal Hightower soldiers, Criston was surrounded by a overmuch larger service of Northeners and Rivermen, each loyal to Queen Rhaenyra.

Watching his enemies approach, Criston understood correct distant that he was doomed. But to his credit, he did effort to spare his men by offering to onslaught their Hightower banners. When that didn't work, he challenged Ser Roderick and Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) to a two-against-one duel.

Before he could moreover assistance his sword, however, Criston was changeable by a concealed archer: doubly done the torso, and erstwhile done the head.

Criston was responsible for truthful overmuch hypocrisy and bloodshed, it's difficult to consciousness sad that he's gone — though it's besides difficult not to pity him, a low-born man who roseate to knighthood, crushed nether the weight of duty, class, and sacrifice.

Earlier successful play three, Criston told Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) that he was wished to meet his extremity "clear-eyed, unbent, glorious successful battle."

"And not successful their service. Finally, but successful my own," he continued. "And they will singing songs of it. And Queen Alicent herself will perceive them."

Instead, Criston died pitifully while clutching Alicent's handkerchief.

When viewers met Ser Roderick, aka Roddy the Ruin, he unambiguously announced his purpose: "We person travel to dice for the dragon queen."

Roderick led his battalion of Northern soldiers, known arsenic the Winter Wolves, into respective gory battles passim play three. Each time, he seemed some proud and appalled to make it retired alive. As he told Criston Cole, "What amended measurement to dice than leaf successful hand?"

In the play 3 finale, Roderick yet fulfilled his purpose. During the Battle of Tumbleton, he embarked connected 1 last mission: to find and termination Ormund.

Just arsenic his nickname foretold, Roderick fought pinch ruinous abandon, moreover losing an limb earlier he managed to stab Ormund successful the backside.

When Roderick and Ormund saw Ulf flying toward them connected dragonback, 1 rejoiced while the different cowered. Roderick, of course, threw his arms into the aerial and cackled arsenic he was burned alive.

Unlike his victims, Criston and Ormund, Roderick was granted the nonstop decease he hoped for, and it's clear that he wouldn't want anyone to mourn — yet his ferocious beingness onscreen will beryllium sorely missed.

Ser Harwin "Breakbones" Strong (Ryan Corr) and his father, Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), didn't person overmuch clip to make an belief connected the audience, though some were fiercely loyal to King Viserys. After Otto was dismissed arsenic Hand of the King successful play one, Lyonel took his spot and strove to service the realm well.

Harwin became a peculiarly important characteristic aft play one's clip jump, erstwhile it was revealed that he and Rhaenyra fell successful emotion and had 3 illegitimate children together. In his fewer scenes, Harwin was depicted arsenic a devoted protector and begetter fig to his sons, moreover though he couldn't enactment arsenic their begetter outright.

Harwin and Lyonel's untimely deaths came arsenic a daze — particularly because the calamity was orchestrated by their ain blood, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham).

Following the commencement of Rhaenyra's 3rd son, Joffrey, Harwin was provoked to unit by Criston Cole, who insinuated that Rhaenyra's children were his bastards.

In the aftermath of their clash, Lyonel attempted to resign from his position arsenic Hand of the King, citing the dishonor that Harwin brought connected their family. Viserys rejected his resignation but allowed Lyonel to escort his boy backmost to Harrenhal. Unfortunately, an evident execution crippled was waiting for them: the Strong men died successful a mysterious occurrence erstwhile they arrived astatine the damp castle.

By each accounts, Lyonel and Harwin seemed for illustration decent men. Even worse, Harwin's decease was a individual rustle to Rhaenyra.

Thanks to Daemon's season-two Harrenhal arc, viewers were endeared to Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) a spot much than his antecedently murdered relatives.

Simon acted arsenic the de facto Lord of Harrenhal successful Larys' absence. He was speedy to surrender, anemic by immoderate standards, but besides shrewd and resilient successful his ain way. He ingratiated himself pinch Daemon erstwhile the prince claimed the castle — nary mini feat — and managed to support himself and his sons live without resorting to violence, moreover arsenic Harrenhal changed hands betwixt murderers and warmongers.

That is, until Aemond came knocking successful play 3 — and by knocking, of course, we mean burning and plundering. In opposition to his uncle, Aemond had nary patience for Simon's benign, measured submission.

Aemond stabbed Simon and his 2 sons almost instantly upon taking complete Harrenhal, robbing the show of 1 of its past fewer likable blokes.

In play one, Ser Arryk Cargylle (Luke Tittensor) and Ser Erryk Cargylle (Ellliot Tittensor) worked together arsenic Kingsguard knights, protecting the royal family. But erstwhile the Hightowers usurped the throne, the twins were divided for the first clip successful their lives. Arryk sided pinch King Aegon II, while Erryk near to subordinate Rhaenyra's Queensguard.

In play two, Criston sent Arryk to slay Rhaenyra. The scheme was for Arryk to impersonate his relative and participate Dragonstone undetected. However, Erryk was alerted to the intrusion, forcing the brothers into a harrowing showdown.

After sidesplitting his brother, Erryk begged Rhaenyra to forgive him and fell connected his ain sword.

In the book, the Cargylle twins' simultaneous deaths inspired singers and storytellers for generations to come.

"In the end," the book reads, "Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk dealt each different mortal wounds, and died successful 1 another's arms pinch tears upon their cheeks."

The execution of Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod) was the first clip that we really saw Criston's existent colors, and man, they were ugly.

When a young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate) agreed to marry, they came to an knowing that some would prosecute different lovers, namely Criston and Joffrey. But that didn't move retired precisely arsenic they'd hoped.

At the wedding, Joffrey confronted Criston.

"You don't cognize me, Ser Criston, but we are some profoundly invested successful this union," Joffrey said. He told Criston that Laenor was "dear" to him, and that he understood Criston and Rhaenyra's relationship. The strategical move was meant to enslaved them successful the shared concealed of Rhaenyra and Laenor's lavender marriage.

Instead, successful the midst of revelry, Criston hit Joffrey into bloody, lifeless pulp.

While the assemblage didn't cognize Joffrey peculiarly well, he didn't do thing incorrect — surely not incorrect capable to merit specified a sadistic and nationalist death. And Laenor's palpable condolences made the segment moreover much achy to watch.

"House of the Dragon" play 2 kicked disconnected by adapting an infamous execution from "Fire & Blood."

In a reckless enactment of vengeance, Daemon hired 2 mercenaries named Blood and Cheese to assassinate Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) successful the Red Keep. Daemon told the men that he wanted "a boy for a son."

When the brace grounded to find the prince, they settled for scheme B. In a shocking enactment of cruelty, they forced Queen Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) to constituent retired which sleeping toddler was her son.

Blood and Cheese past descended upon Jaeharys pinch knives, decapitating the boy successful his crib.

Thankfully, Helaena fled the room pinch her daughter. But the grade of their brutality is displayed for each of King's Landing to spot during Jaeharys' ceremonial procession.

In the premiere section of "House of the Dragon," Rhaenyra's mother told her the birthing furniture is simply a woman's battlefield.

That is proven much literal than figurative, arsenic play 1 featured much than 1 agonizing decease related to gestation and childbirth, including that of Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell).

After he murdered his first wife, Daemon joined Laena. The mates moved to Pentos and welcomed 2 patient daughters, Baela (Bethany Antonia) and Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell).

However, Laena's 3rd gestation proved fatal. In section six, "The Princess and the Queen," she struggled pinch a analyzable transportation and began to bleed out. Daemon was offered the aforesaid prime that Viserys erstwhile had: prevention his wife, aliases prevention the baby. Instead, Laena took matters into her ain hands and decided her fate.

Laena commanded her dragon, Vhagar, to incinerate her.

While the segment is gut-wrenching to watch — particularly since Vhagar seemed reluctant to termination her rider — it's a mini comfortableness to cognize that Laena died connected her ain position arsenic a dragonlord, pinch occurrence and blood.

As soon arsenic Rhaenys flew disconnected to conflict astatine Rook's Rest, location was already a consciousness that she wouldn't make it back.

But that didn't make her decease astatine the hands of Aemond and Vhagar immoderate little wrenching. Across 2 seasons, Rhaenys had distinguished herself arsenic virtuous and loyal, astatine erstwhile level-headed and fierce, making her a favourite characteristic among fans.

Even arsenic Rhaenys realized she couldn't dream to conclusion Vhagar alone, she didn't tally away. Instead, she strapped herself tighter into her saddle and fought valiantly till the end, dealing superior harm to King Aegon II and Sunfyre successful the process.

Rhaenys, 1 of the existent noble warriors and voices of logic successful "House of the Dragon," was yet killed successful a sneak attack. To paraphrase Otto Hightower, we (the assemblage and Westeros) are poorer for it.

"House of the Dragon" made a bloody debut successful the play 1 premiere pinch the heartbreaking decease of Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke), the beloved woman of King Viserys.

When Aemma went into labor, the babe sewage stuck, and Viserys was forced to determine whose life to save. Despite his emotion for Aemma, the king chose his unborn kid successful the hopes of getting a son.

The maesters trim Aemma's belly unfastened to prevention the child, sidesplitting her successful the process. In her last moments, Aemma's agency was stripped away, and her life was tossed speech for the specified conception of an heir to the throne.

The withering nonaccomplishment was only made worse erstwhile Aemma's newborn baby, Baelon, died hours later.

Helaena was held hostage successful the Red Keep aft her half-sister, Rhaenyra, took the Iron Throne.

Although Rhaenyra tried to beryllium merciful pinch her prisoners, Helaena became an undeniable threat to her vulnerable reign. Not only was Helaena the sister-wife of Aegon II — making her the existent queen successful the minds of his loyalists — but she was besides pregnant pinch a imaginable heir. Rhaenyra was obliged to confine Helaena ever-more strictly, and moreover resorted to force-feeding her erstwhile Helaena sank into depression.

In Martin's book, Helaena is depicted arsenic a "broken creature" aft the execution of her eldest son, hopeless and mislaid successful madness. After her youngest son, Maelor, is besides murdered, she throws herself retired of a model (although immoderate commonfolk dispersed rumors that Rhaenyra ordered her killed).

Although Maelor was omitted from "House of the Dragon," Helaena's psyche was overmuch much analyzable onscreen, enriched by Saban's sensitive, soulful performance.

Helaena was shown to person an affinity pinch insects, heavy empathy for mini creatures, and devotion to her children. In the show, she was besides a dragon dreamer, giving her prophetic visions; Helaena had a tenuous narration pinch reality, cursed to cognize galore of her family's tragedies earlier they happened. She seemed to cognize her ain fate, too, yet she resisted the model for arsenic agelong arsenic she could — clinging onto dream for the liking of her mother, daughter, and unborn child.

Even for book readers, who knew Helaena's termination was imminent, these specifications made her last scenes that overmuch richer and much disturbing. Captivity and isolation yet proved excessively overmuch for Helaena, and successful the play 3 finale, she jumped to her death.

Lucerys and his dragon Arrax's deaths are immoderate of the biggest affectional blows successful "House of the Dragon."

Though the Greens and the Blacks were preparing for a war, bloodshed wasn't yet inevitable. It whitethorn person been imaginable to find different measurement to settee the conflict aft a cooling-off period. But location could beryllium nary reconciliation erstwhile Rhaenyra's boy was slain.

The execution of Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), aka Luke, was a turning constituent successful the Dance of the Dragons — made each the much tragic because it looked for illustration an accident.

The segment unraveled almost for illustration a scary movie, pinch Aemond and Vhagar stalking and taunting Luke successful the dark, rainy skies. Aemond apt saw this arsenic an opportunity to artifact pinch Luke, arsenic payback for his missing eye, but a dragon's fury is not truthful easy restrained.

After a little infinitesimal of seeming relief, Vhagar emerged from the haze, ripping mini Arrax and his rider apart.

Luke mislaid his life; Rhaenyra mislaid a son; Jacaerys mislaid a brother; Corlys mislaid an heir; Rhaena mislaid a early husband; and Aemond mislaid the respect of his family — everlastingly known to history arsenic a ruthless kinslayer. The ripple effects from Luke's decease are immense and untold.

What's much tragic than 1 of Rhaenyra's beloved children being murdered? Two of Rhaenyra's beloved children being murdered.

Rhaenyra's firstborn boy and heir, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), aka Jace, had ever been eager to beryllium himself. He was passionate, clever, daring — yet perpetually (and lovingly) restrained by his mother, who feared his younker and deficiency of acquisition would spell disaster successful battle.

Sadly, Rhaenyra was right. In the play 3 premiere, Jace forcibly took his mother's spot astatine the Battle of the Gullet, locking Rhaenyra successful her room and flying disconnected to his doom.

While Jace burned force ships connected his dragon, Vermax, those enemies were plotting to return him down. Vermax was impaled from the entity and pulled to his watery grave, while Jace managed to past by unclipping from his saddle — though his endurance was each excessively brief. Jace was quickly changeable by force arrows, and his corpse was near to float among countless different warriors.

Over 2 seasons, Jace had go a amazingly savvy diplomat and a fan-favorite character. It's devastating to cognize that he won't grace our screens again — and moreover much devastating to watch his decease impact Rhaenyra, who'd already mislaid 1 boy successful her quest for the Iron Throne.