‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, episode 8: Did Sheepstealer die?

One day you’re minding your own business in the mountains, maybe snacking on a sheep or two to pass the time. The next day you’re dragged into an all-out war.

This is the fate of poor, sweet Sheepstealer in House of the Dragon Season 3, an innocent whose only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But what happens to the wild dragon claimed by Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) in episode 7? Is Sheepstealer still alive after that nasty dragon scuffle?

What happens with Sheepstealer in House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 7?

Despite trying her best to hide out in a cave in the Vale, Rhaena and Sheepstealer are eventually spotted by Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Baela (Bethany Antonia) during one of their dragon hunts. Daemon (Matt Smith), worried that his plan to keep his daughter alive will be discovered, flies off to track Rhaena down. But midway through their conversation they’re interrupted by Addam — and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) herself.

Rhaenyra is furious with Daemon for lying to her about slaying Sheepstealer’s rider, and even angrier with her stepdaughter Rhaena for her (albeit accidental) part in the death of her son Jace (Harry Collett) during the Battle of the Gullet. Tensions inevitably spill over. The dragons start scrapping in what is a truly uncomfortable scene to watch, and Daemon tells the others to leave so he and his dragon Caraxes can finish off Sheepstealer.

What actually happens is Daemon falls from his mount, Caraxes stops to check on him, and a very badly wounded Sheepstealer goes limping away. They watch him go, but don’t follow, instead leaving him for dead in the Vale.

Is Sheepstealer still alive?

The short answer? Surely yes. If Sunfyre managed to come back from the literal dead, we’d be stunned if this is the end of the line for Sheepstealer. Caraxes and Daemon could have easily made sure Sheepstealer was dead, but left him to his fate. Perhaps Daemon’s knowledge of his daughter’s connection with her dragon, as a fellow rider, stayed his hand.

Dragons, in short, seem impressively durable. Sheepstealer’s injuries, while bad, are nowhere near as bad as the terrible burns Sunfyre suffered at the mouth of Vhagar.

We bet this won’t be the last we see of Rhaena’s chaotic companion.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.