House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5 is full of shocking developments, but there’s one little surprise that might be a welcome one for fans of the HBO show. At least those who are fans of the Lannisters…
**Spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5, now streaming on HBO Max**
It turns out that Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) lives!
That’s right: Tyland Lannister did not die during the Battle of the Gullet. He survived being thrown overboard by Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) in the heat of battle and has made his way to Rook’s Rest. There, the wealthy Lannister — who coincidentally is the only person who knows where the Crown’s gold has been hidden — reunites with Larys “Clubfoot” Strong (Matthew Needham) and Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney).
While Tyland and Larys hash out what they should do next, the de facto “ruler” of Rook’s Rest, Janos (Oliver Coopersmith), stumbles upon a dejected Aegon. Janos discovers Aegon’s crown, outing him as the king, and Aegon, in turn, kills the lowborn man.
We don’t know where this new trio will head next. Aegon has agreed with Larys to hire a ship to take them to the safety of Braavos. Tyland, on the other hand, thinks they should go to Lannisport. In George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood, Aegon and Larys eventually go to Dragonstone. Tyland is not with them on that journey, however. In fact, Tyland’s story is very different in Martin’s books…
Did Tyland Lannister Die in House of the Dragon?
No! He survived the Battle of the Gullet and has now teamed up with Larys Strong and Aegon II.
This is very different from what happens to Tyland Lannister in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. In that book, he is still in King’s Landing when Rhaenyra takes over. The Blacks begin torturing him in the hopes of discovering where he hid the Crown’s gold. Tyland doesn’t give up the information, though, despite Rhaenyra’s torturers’ best efforts. When he is eventually released, he is blind, castrated, and incredibly maimed. Nevertheless, he still has his wits and he becomes the Hand of young King Aegon III (aka Rhaenyra and Daemon’s first born son). Because of his injuries, he begins wearing a silk hood in court, earning him the moniker, “The Hooded Hand.”
It’s unclear if House of the Dragon will follow this storyline, but if they do, Tyland’s troubles have just begun.