This article contains major spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3.
This article contains discussions about self-harm.
Game of Thrones Creator George RR Martin confirms one major spoiler for House of the Dragon Season 3. House of the Dragon is based on Martin’s 2018 lore book titled Fire & Blood. House of the Dragon Season 1 premiered to great reviews in 2022, and was followed by House of the Dragon Season 2 this past summer. House of the Dragon Season 3 has been confirmed and is expected to arrive in 2026.
In a now deleted post on Martin’s official websiteThe author confirms a spoiler for House of the Dragon Season 3. Martin confirmed that Helena “More kills himself“ In the outline for House of the Dragon Season 3. Martin explained that in his book, it’s the death of Helena’s son, Prince Jaehaeris, that ends up pushing her “to suicide“To make it worse, she had to choose which son of hers, Jaehaerys or Maelor, had to die in a Sophie’s Choice –esque moment. She chooses Maelor to die, but the assassins kill Jaehaerys instead, Martin explains, telling Maelor his mother’s choice.
In Ryan’s outline for season 3, Helena still kills herself… for no particular reason. There is no recent horror, no triggering event to overwhelm the fragile young queen.
How House of the Dragon changed part of Helena’s character
Helena had another son in the books
Still, Maelor is not a character portrayed in House of the Dragon. In the book, he is the younger of the two sons, with the twins still existing in the book. Martin explained that this House of the Dragon book The change came from creator Ryan Condal’s desire to keep things simpler. Martin admitted that he felt the absence of the “Helena’s choice” Element weakened the plot, but still created a powerful scene.
Even without these Sophie’s Choice– Inspired moment driving Helaena to suicide, the outline could see Helaena dying by her own hand. According to Martin, Helena dies “For no particular reason.” While Martin praises the TV adaptation many times during his statement, there is an air of disapproval surrounding the change to Helaena’s story. Despite Martin’s misgivings about Helaena’s motivation, at this point, her death could be altered before season 3 begins Filming as it is still in the early stages of production.
House of the Dragon Season 2 still points to a tough road ahead for Helaena. The end of season 2 confirmed that Helena was a dragon dreamer who saw real visions of the future. As the Targaryens prepare for a war in King’s Landing, it is possible that Helaena’s premonitions will become more and more violent. This kind of terror is hard for anyone to see, and combined with her personal tragedies, could very well plague Helena enough to resort to taking her own life.
Source: George RR Martin