Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based, and so potential season 3 spoilers. House of the Dragon season 2’s ending, Rhaenyra Targaryen is set to experience her highest highs yet as she finally takes King’s Landing, and with it the Iron Throne that she sees as her birthright. Unfortunately, it will also have the Black Queen’s lowest of lows as well.

With House of the Dragon season 3, but make one of the story’s saddest sequences an even bigger tragedy.

Why Harrold Westerling Should Return In House Of The Dragon Season 3

The Character Has Been Missing Since The End Of Season 1

Ser Harrold Westerling, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, was last seen in season 1 reg his position after Otto and Alicent Hightower’s coup to install Aegon II as king. While his departure was abrupt, his exit from King’s Landing very much suggested we’d see him again: in the book Fire & Blood, the character dies years before civil war actually breaks out, so such a major change not only leaves his story wide open, but presumably has a greater reason behind it. That made it more surprising when he didn’t appear in season 2.

Graham McTavish's Harrold Westerling appeared in nine episodes of season 1, missing only the finale.

For his part, actor Graham McTavish has hinted he may be back. Speaking with The Nerd Shepherd in 2024 [via Winter is Coming], he said: "I believe season three will start filming in March next year," implying that he would be involved in that process (as otherwise there's not much need for him to know or comment upon it).

With Rhaenyra taking King’s Landing, then Westerling returning as her protector would make perfect sense...

That is far from confirmation, of course, but Westerling is an odd loose end at present, which feels like something the show would (and should) want to tie up. With Rhaenyra taking King’s Landing, then Ser Harrold returning as her protector would make perfect sense, especially after the deaths of Sers Steffon Darklyn and Erryk Cargyll in season 2, leaving a clear need for a known character among Rhaenyra’s Queensguard. A character of Westerling’s standing, who has an integrity and honor unmatched by most, would be an obvious choice for that role.

Harrold May Die Trying To Save Rhaenyra's Son In A Big King's Landing Scene

Things Won't Go Well For Rhaenyra In King's Landing

Unfortunately, even if Westerling were to return, things aren’t going to go well for Rhaenyra’s reign. As per the book, the people of King’s Landing eventually turn against her, with the ongoing war causing terror and paranoia that eventually bubbles over. When Helaena Targaryen tragically takes her own life, riots break out across the city, leading to the Storming of the Dragonpit: where the residents of the capital form a mob to attack and kill the dragons within.

House of the Dragon season 3 is expected to release on HBO and Max sometime in 2026. Season 4, meanwhile, will be the show's last.

It leads to the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of people, as well as multiple dragons dying. Among the casualties is one of Rhaenyra’s sons, Joffrey Velaryon. Out of fear for his own dragon, Tyraxes, he slips away from his mother and ends up flying her dragon, Syrax, over the city, likely in an attempt to try and rescue Tyraxes, or fight the mob. Rhaenyra sends several knights, known as the Seven Who Rode, to rescue him, led by the Lord Commander of the Queensguard, Ser Glendon Goode.

Alas, the Seven are not successful: Joffrey falls from Syrax’s back and dies, with the mob setting upon his body, trying to hack it to pieces. The knights do manage to rescue most of what’s left of him, though several of them are killed as well, Goode included. Since Goode isn’t a known character, having Westerling take on this role (after returning earlier in the season) would be a smart move.

Ser Harrold provides a more recognizable face to help process everything that’s happening and make the impact even greater.

This would particularly be the case for giving the audience a stronger viewpoint in the narrative: Joffrey is a child who they won’t know as well, albeit his age makes it extremely tragic, and then the rest are lesser-known knights too. Ser Harrold provides a more recognizable face to help process everything that’s happening and make the impact even greater.

For Harrold, his death in such a scene would be devastating but fitting. As a knight sworn to defend the Targaryens, his efforts to save Joffrey would showcase his sense of duty and honor (key themes in the franchise), even in the face of overwhelming odds. His death would add an extra layer of emotional resonance to the tragedy, solidifying his legacy, and giving him the kind of heroic death in battle that would be befitting of such a true knight of the Kings/Queensguard.

Westerling's Death Can Mirror (& Better) Game Of Thrones' Barristan Selmy

Game Of Thrones' Version Of This Story Ended Up Being A Letdown

Harrold Westerling’s story may have already gone beyond the book, but there is a blueprint for what it could (and what it shouldn’t) do with that character. That comes from a fellow knight, Ser Barristan Selmy, from Game of Thrones:

• Both were older, distinguished knights who became Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
• Both quit their positions because of their honor, disgusted at the actions of those they served.
• Barristan quit in season 1, was missing in season 2, then returned in season 3 to serve a Targaryen queen. Harrold could be the same.

Barristan was killed off rather unceremoniously in Game of Thrones season 5, defending Meereen from the Sons of the Harpy. Sadly, the moment felt abrupt and underwhelming, not least because Barristan is very much still alive in The Winds of Winter, and has a lot more to offer the story.

In contrast, Harrold’s demise in House of the Dragon season 3, if it comes as part of the Storming of the Dragonpit and Joffrey’s death, could be much better and the kind of conclusion Barristan didn’t get. It would be more emotional, impactful, and befitting his character, providing a great reason for him to return.