House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5 delivered two dramatic cliffhangers, deviating from George R.R. Martin's historical account, 'Fire & Blood.' The episode saw Daemon Targaryen discover the murdered bodies of his gold cloaks, including Ser Luthor Largent, arranged in a scene termed a "Feast for Traitors."
The "Feast for Traitors"
Ormund Hightower is revealed to be behind the attacks on Rhaenyra's gold cloaks. He has been using newly minted gold coins to pay allies in King's Landing, promoting Prince Daeron as the new king of Westeros. This strategy aims to destabilize Rhaenyra's reign by exploiting her allowance of the gold cloaks to act with impunity against civilians. The increasing resentment from the smallfolk and the subsequent murders of the gold cloaks create a cycle of violence.
Ser Luthor Largent's death in the episode differs from his fate in 'Fire & Blood.' In the book, Largent serves as Rhaenyra's brutal enforcer until a violent uprising by the smallfolk. Legend states the riots began when Largent trampled a child, leading to a crowd overpowering and killing him. While the manner of death is different, the episode's portrayal aligns thematically with the book, showing Largent's cruelty towards the common people leading to their retribution, potentially instigated by Ormund.
Alicent and Helaena's Escape Attempt
Simultaneously, Alicent and Helaena discover a secret passageway from Rhaenyra's former bedroom. Their attempt to escape leads them to a dead end, with the door latching shut behind them. Helaena drops her lantern, plunging them into darkness, and Alicent realizes they are trapped.
This storyline is an invention for the HBO series and does not occur in 'Fire & Blood.' In the book, Alicent and Helaena do not die trapped within the Red Keep's walls. While the show presents them as confined, it is suggested that they may be found by characters like Mysaria, Rhaenyra, or Daemon, who is investigating the security breach.
Character Fates in 'Fire & Blood'
The episode sets up potential future plotlines for Alicent and Helaena, with their ultimate fates in the series yet to be determined. According to 'Fire & Blood,' Helaena dies by suicide after learning of her youngest son Maelor's death. The series may be foreshadowing Helaena's current pregnancy, with the child potentially facing peril from Rhaenyra's faction.
Alicent, however, survives the civil war in the books, eventually succumbing to a widespread illness known as Winter Fever years later.