Plot: The third season of the Game of Thrones prequel sends the warring factions of Westeros into an all-out civil war as the Targaryen claimants vie for control of the Iron Throne.
Review: House of the Dragon faced the unfair expectation not only of living up to the legacy of Game of Thrones but also of redeeming the underwhelming final season of the HBO fantasy series. The first season of House of the Dragon compressed a lot into ten episodes, introducing the Targaryen power struggle across the twenty-year reign of King Viserys and the power vacuum left in his absence. The eight-episode second year chronicled the next months in a much slower season that felt stalled compared to the breadth of the first run. After two years waiting for the third season, House of the Dragon returns with the level of action and intensity that we have been waiting to see for the past four years. With the epic and bloody showdown between the families of Westeros delivering on a massive scale, House of the Dragon has become the worthy successor to Game of Thrones we have always wanted it to be, but it may be too little too late.
Having seen the first four episodes of the new season, I can say with certainty that fans will immediately note the shift in momentum as the season premiere kicks off. The most notable naval conflict in Westerosi history, the Battle of the Gullet, is showcased in the first episode and rivals the largest battle sequences in any season of Game of Thrones. Those who know how the battle ends will realize that this is a turning point in both the source material that inspired the series, Fire & Blood, and in the direction House of the Dragon will take from here. The fourth season has already been announced as the series’ final season, meaning this season will feature many chess moves to position the key players in the push for control of Westeros. These first four episodes feel like a response to criticisms of the pacing of the first two seasons, as well as an escalation of the conflict introduced. The board is now set, and you can feel the endgame coming into focus with Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) going on the offensive to take back King’s Landing from Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney).
This franchise has never been shy about killing off characters, and this season is no exception. The body count is rising as major and minor cast members are dispatched throughout the season. None of these deaths comes close to the impact of the Red Wedding, but they are still shocking for those unfamiliar with the source material. What is most striking about this season of House of the Dragon, however, is the speed at which it is moving. Season two introduced new dragonriders in Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), and Ulf White (Tom Bennett), whose importance to the story finally comes into focus. There are also new characters, including James Norton as Ormund Hightower, the first competent opponent to Rhaenyra and Daemon. Tommy Flanagan and Dan Fogler join the cast as Roderick Dustin and Torrhen Manderly, respectively, while Amanda Collin and Abigail Thorn reprise their roles as Jayne Arryn and Sharako Lohar. The fact that this series is still introducing characters with similar-sounding names is as challenging as ever, but to be expected.
With the critical success of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it is both refreshing and frustrating. That spin-off series proved that you don’t need massive battle sequences, dragons, or palace intrigue to deliver a worthwhile visit to Westeros, but returning to the main focus of what made us love Game of Thrones is enjoyable. Still, the reliance on the same plot points of backstabbing, sex, and murderous machinations is what prevented House of the Dragon from standing apart from its predecessor. These four episodes open with two chapters that get right to the action, followed by two chapters that represent some of the best entries in this series to date. The third and fourth episodes spend a lot of time with Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, both of whom are the highlights of this series and continue to deliver the best performances in the cast. By finally putting the spotlight back on the throne, the series shifts to a more focused narrative despite the myriad subplots unfolding, including some that still feel like they are treading water until next season.
Showrunner Ryan Condal, who penned two of this season’s entries, continues to mine George R.R. Martin’s source material while making minor deviations to fit the television format. Along with writers Sarah Hess, David Hancock, Phillippa Goslett, Shyam Popat, Zenzele Price, and Ti Mikkel, Condal has found a stride this season, but one that still makes me wonder how they can wrap up this story with only one season to go. The four episodes I have seen this season are among the best since the series debuted, but there is so much going on that I wonder whether the fourth season will be expanded to 10 episodes, as in season one. Returning directors Loni Peristere, Clare Kilner, Nina Lopez-Corrado, and Andrij Parekh deliver on par with the best helmers of Game of Thrones, with the bloody and gore in abundance. Seeing a massive naval battle and more dragon-on-dragon action propels these episodes compared to the slower pace of season two, but every episode left me counting down the limited running time Condal has left.
House of the Dragon has never been a bad show, but it also has not incited the same fervor that Game of Thrones did. There are characters to root for and others to despise, but House of the Dragon manages to imbue some characters with both traits. As much as I love seeing Matt Smith chew the scenery while Emma D’Arcy commands every scene they are in, House of the Dragon still struggles to find a purpose as it tries to match what Game of Thrones brought to the screen. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms proved that great stories can still be found in the world of Westeros, and this season of House of the Dragon comes close to reclaiming the throne, but I fear it may be too little too late. If you have already invested two seasons across the last four years and want to see what comes next, you will be rewarded with a solid season and some standout episodes. If you are still torn with whether you should invest in this show, there are signs of greatness this season, but maybe not enough to makeHouse of the Dragon must-see TV.
House of the Dragon premieres on June 21st on HBO.
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