‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 wasted no time reminding viewers that no character is ever truly safe in Westeros. The premiere had the promised epic Battle of the Gullet, with lots of dragonfire and terrible casualties.
However, one emotional goodbye stood out from the rest in all the chaos. During the battle, Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) was killed after he led Vermax into battle against impossible odds. It was a sad moment for fans. It also marked the end of Collett’s journey, starting when Jace was still trying to find his place in the Targaryen family.
Harry Collett Wanted A Proper Dragonrider Farewell For Jace
The actor had one last wish before he left. Jace was the heir to Rhaenyra’s throne, and throughout the series, he was trying to prove himself deserving of the throne. “Now, he’s playing the ‘I don’t want to listen to mum. I’m gonna be my own man now,’ which is completely fair enough because 16 in the Game of Thrones world is probably 30-odd,” he told EW.
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That decision eventually puts him in a battle against his mother’s wishes. In the Battle of the Gullet, Jace and Vermax are destroying the enemy before disaster strikes. A volley of arrows and spears knocks the young dragon down, and both rider and dragon plunge into the sea. Soon after, Jace is killed, adding yet another heartbreak for Rhaenyra.
Knowing this would be his final episode, Collett wanted to make sure Jace left an unforgettable mark. The actor specifically asked the writers if he could say “Dracarys” during the battle. “There’s no way I can leave this show without saying ‘Dracarys! There was no way. Not on my watch.”
The High Valyrian command has been one of the most iconic phrases in the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe, and Collett didn’t want Jace to leave the story without uttering it himself. Thankfully, the request was approved.
‘House Of The Dragon’ Gave Jace The Right Sendoff
The addition was a special one for Collett since it was not originally part of the script. After years of playing a dragonrider, it seemed like the ultimate ending to command Vermax with the iconic word. Something is touching about that small behind-the-scenes detail.
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One actor was preoccupied with delivering a proper send-off to his character in a scene that was all about action and destruction on a grand scale. The emotional farewell didn’t end on set, either. Once it was over, Collett was given some great mementos from the production, like Jace’s sword and a detailed model of Vermax’s head. “As soon as I got home, I was FaceTiming all of my friends. ‘Look what I’ve got!'” he shared.
Nonetheless, those last moments were particularly devastating for fans who were still trying to come to terms with Jace’s death. His tale is a tragic one, but with one simple request, Collett made sure that Jace’s final voyage was as epic.
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