House of the Dragon: Season 3 Episode 1 ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ explained

_*Warning: Major spoilers ahead_*

In the Eyrie, Rhaena, still desperate for a dragon, tries to tame Sheepstealer, an unclaimed dragon who has been living in the wild. After getting on its back, they ride off together –but without a saddle and with no experience of riding, Rhaena’s first flight is a terrifying one. Upon landing, she and the dragon form some kind of bond, and the pair ride toward Dragonstone.

In King’s Landing, Aemond discovers that Aegon has fled The Keep with Lord Larys. Escaping the capital in a wagon delivering ravens, the disguised pair are stopped by a retinue of Black Army soldiers some distance from King’s Landing. The soldiers demand that they swear fealty to Queen Rhaenyra, and while Larys falls in line, Aemond angrily refuses. The soldiers look to execute them both, but Larys talks them out of it by revealing Aemond’s true identity. Reasoning that they are more valuable as live hostages, the soldiers acquiesce. The men aiding in their escape, however, are of no consequence to Larys and are quickly slain.

Alicent is called to the throne room to find Aemond upon the Iron Throne. He declares Aegon has abdicated… making him the new King of Westeros.

This terrifies Alicent, because he’s meant to be flying to Harrenhal atop the massive dragon Vhagar to fight Daemon’s army, but he’s determined to stay, claiming Aegon left him no choice. Aemond argues it’s just a case of biding their time. After all, Ser Gwayne and Ser Criston are on their way to meet Daemon’s men, and at sea, the Triarchy fleet are set to ambush Lord Corlys and his men in the Gullet. Victory is practically theirs already.

However, after speaking to Heleana who shares Aemond’s fears he’ll die facing Rhaenyra’s army of dragons, she later convinces him to go to Harrenhal by appealing to him, saying she’s scared for his safety in King’s Landing, and Harrenal is capable of surviving dragonfire.

Aemond, taken by the sudden care he’s receiving from his typically cold mother, kisses her. The kiss shocks Alicent, but scared of what he’ll do otherwise, allows it.

War is not going quite as Aemond assumes though. In the Riverlands, Daemon’s forces rout the Green Army, and get a surprise boost by the arrival of Roderick Dustin, aka Roddy the Ruin of the Winter Wolves, an army of seasoned warriors from the North. He delivers the head of Ser Jason Lannister and pledges his army’s allegiance to the Black Queen’s cause.

Over in the Green army’s camp, Ser Gwayne is disgusted by Ser Criston after he allows his men to rape a local villager. Ser Criston, becoming more disillusioned by the day, dismisses Gwayne’s assertion that he needs to assert his principles.

In Dragonstone, Rhaenyra shares the plan she’s orchestrated with Alicent to take King’s Landing, but Jace is not sure she can be trusted. Despite hesitance from her council, Rhaenyra is adamant it’s the best way to dethrone and kill Aegon and to take the throne. Upon being informed of the armada approaching Lord Corlys’ fleet, she prepares to ride out and assist in the battle from the skies.

Jace, furious at his mother for not listening and certain she is walking into a trap, takes matters into his own hands, locking her in her chambers and commanding a guard to keep her inside, saying it’s his duty to keep her safe. Rhaenyra is furious but helpless, with the guard refusing to let her out. Heartbroken and bitter, she puts a knife to her royal gown, lamenting that she was born in a female body.

Jace and Baela then take their dragons, and head towards The Gullet, where Lord Corlys is preparing for battle against the Triarchy fleet, led by Sharako Lohar and Tyland Lannister aboard her flagship, the Bitchfist.

Meanwhile, dragonseeds Ulf, Addam and Hugh wait hidden in position near Harrenhal, waiting to spring a trap on Aemond and Vhagar. They share stories of their life but get frustrated when Ameond doesn’t appear as predicted. Ulf gets a rude awakening when he discovers that becoming a knight does not entitle you to a castle – just a title and horse, which he doesn’t need anymore because he has a dragon.

They later get a surprise visitor. Alys Rivers, the witch of Harrenhal, who appears suddenly to tell them they’re missing the battle, and that the queen needs them at Dragonstone. Suitably creeped out by her, Ulf leaves.

One of the most anticipated battles for House of the Dragon fans, the Battle of the Gullet sees Sharako Lohar and the Triarchy armada face off against Lord Corlys and his fleet, attempting to break through the blockade formed to prevent access to King’s Landing.

Alongside Corlys is Alyn, his bastard son. Before battle he shares that despite everything, he did care for his mother, and wanted to provide a life. Alyn tells him a life is one thing, but they never had a name. Corlys, who values name and legacy, realises this burden and apologises.

Lohar and Corlys have their own, long-standing feud, and as the battle begins, it becomes clear that this takes precedence for Lohar, who is out for revenge. This surprises and unnerves Tyland, representing Aegon’s council – and with good reason.

The battle commences, with Corlys and his men donning armour while the Triarchy forces favour lighter wear. The Bitchfist makes a beeline for Corlys’ vessel, but Jace and Baela, atop Vermax and Moondancer, join the fray and even the odds with dragonfire from above.

This was not unexpected, and Lohar prepares a scorpion ballista to meet the dragons. She is able to land a weighted arrow into Vermax’s harness, which pulls him near the water. Thinking quickly, Baela is able to cut the rope. Together, they set fire to multiple Triarchy ships, giving Corlys’s team the advantage.

Having seen the battle taking place, Rhaena attempts to join the fray with Sheepstealer. However, she is a novice rider and the dragon fails to follow her commands, attacking both friend and foe and doing more harm than good. Assuming the new dragon is an enemy, Jace and Baela fly to meet it in battle. It’s only when Baela recognises her sister struggling on board the beast that they call off their attack.

Back on sea, Corlys lures Lohar into following him through “The Teeth”, a dangerously narrow pass at low tide. Two ships accompanying the Bitchfist are dashed against the rocks and are lost, but Lohar successfully navigates the pass – albeit by lightening the load on the ship by tossing Tyland and his men overboard in full armour. Corlys prepares to meet her but is devastated to see in the distance that his castle, High Tide, is being ransacked by Triarchy ships. His focus diverted, Alyn prepares the men for battle.

With speed on her side, the Bitchfist rams Corlys’ ship and her remaining men board his vessel. As the ship's hull splits in two, Corlys snaps out of it in time to meet Lohar in hand-to-hand combat. As the ship sinks, Corlys, in full armor, is tossed into the drink. Alyn, shedding his metal plates, takes on Lohar and they both tumble into the flooded lower decks. At the climax of a vicious fight, Alyn is able to fatally stab Lohar and see her consigned to the ocean.

Sheepstealer, still indiscriminate in its attack, starts chasing Baela and Moondancer, which distracts Jace who tries to stop them. In doing so, Vermax is shot by a scorpion once again, this time through the flank. Baela makes another attempt to free him, but this time it’s too late. The dragon is dragged into the sea and dies.

While Jace is able to free himself from his saddle, it’s to no avail – as soon as he rises to the surface, he’s an easy target for the Triarchy archers. Shot multiple times, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon dies in the water.

Sheepstealer, still ignoring its rider’s commands, flies off and away from the carnage. As Moondancer remains flying over the battle, Rhaena looks back in horror at what she’s done