The name “Joffrey” gives goosebumps to anyone who watched Game of Thrones and that’s why when Laenor’s boyfriend was introduced, even before the wedding party tragedy, many people suspected that there would be no happy ending. Within the arrangement between Laenor and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), there was the expectation that one of their children would honor the “friend” Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, but the Queen avoided it until there was no alternative. The couple’s youngest, the last to be born in King’s Landing, was christened Joffrey Velaryon.

In Season 1, it was Joffrey’s brothers Lucerys and Jacaerys – Luce and Jace – who rose to prominence because the boys’ toxic relationship with their uncles, Aegon and Aemond, mirrored what Rhaenyra and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) were disguising. In other words: because of mutual hatred and distrust. The book says, and we saw in the House of the Dragon series, that Viserys I adored his grandchildren and therefore turned a deaf ear to the gossip that suggested that the boys were not Velaryons (but Strongs), contributing to the tension growing. The series changed Joffrey’s role, reducing his participation. For example, he was the pivot of the fight that cost Aemond his eye, because his uncle attacked him and for that, he called his brothers to take satisfaction. But, even without appearing right away, his fate is one of the traumatic points of the possible third season.

As we saw at the end of the season, Lucerys and Arrax were killed by Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar, when returning from a mission initially considered safer than that of his brother Jacaerys, who went to the North, and the pain of the loss of one of his children will change the decision of Rhaenyra, who was trying to avoid bloodshed.

Joffrey, or Joff, like his brothers, has traits that resemble Ser Harwin Strong more than Laenor Velaryon and we will certainly see him in the 1st episode of the second season, dismayed and vowing to avenge Luce. For this, even though he is only 11 years old, he tries to ride Tyraxes but is prevented by his mother and grandparents, Ser Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. The prince may be young to fly, but one of the alliances Jace will make on Rhaenyra’s behalf is to promise that Joffrey will marry Lord Desmond Manderly’s youngest daughter, thereby securing White Harbor’s support for blacks, a victory vital strategy for the Queen’s cause.

Every loss of a child makes Rhaenyra even more overprotective of the survivors. When Jace sends Joff to defend the Vale of Arryn against Aegon II’s dragons, he can only go with Rhaena Velaryon, his cousin. The two achieve an important victory, but tragedy strikes the family again. Jace’s tragic death made Joffrey the heir to the Iron Throne, and as soon as she can, Rhaenyra throws a huge event to announce him as Prince of Dragonstone. Of course, it doesn’t last long.

When the mob – incited by Ser Larys Strong – riots and begins to attack the dragons, Joff begs his mother to let him go fight. Upon having a new negative, he disobeys and climbs Syrax to reach the Dragon’s Pit. However, the dragon does not recognize him and knocks him down. The fall of more than sixty meters proved fatal: the body landed on Flea Bottom, breaking his back, cutting himself, and being pierced by his own sword. It gets worse.

Upon seeing the prince’s body, the crowd broke into the looting, literally tearing his body to pieces in the looting, cutting off his head, feet, and hands behind the jewelry and clothes. Three of the seven knights sent by Rhaneyra to help him were killed trying to retrieve the remains. They managed to get them to a disconsolate Rhaenyra.

Joffrey’s death ends the lineage of the Velaryons (and the Strongs?), for in his place is Aegon III the Younger – son of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen – who is announced as heir to the Iron Throne.

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