The season 3 finale of House of the Dragon has left me with a disheartening realization: there is no one left to root for. After three seasons of defending the show, I now see that none of the characters feel worthy of the Iron Throne, a fact cemented by the events of the final episode.
I have been firmly Team Black since the beginning, believing Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) should be queen as her father King Viserys (Paddy Considine) declared. But since she claimed the crown this season, she has not lived up to expectations. She cut herself sitting on the throne—a bad omen—and her actions have sown doubt among her Small Council. She required constant reassurance from her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) and treated her newly-instated dragonriders as second-rate citizens.
A Season of Disappointments
Rhaenyra's announcement in the finale that she is the 'prince that was promised' felt like too little, too late. As Tywin Lannister once said, 'Any man who must say, "I am the king" is no true king.'
Her rivals are no better. Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who was burnt alive by his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), cannot be forgiven for raping a servant in season one. Aemond, now recovering at Harrenhal, has become increasingly power-hungry and sadistic, despite a redemption attempt in the finale. Alicent's youngest child Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) shows strong morality but lacks experience, while Helaena (Phia Saban) suffers unjustly, reaching a terrible peak in the finale.
Battle of Tumbleton
The Battle of Tumbleton causes mass destruction, proving that there are no winners in this war. Devastation wreaks havoc on both sides, with innocent people caught in the crossfire. Maybe that's the point: in this world where blood is currency, no one actually deserves the Iron Throne.
While the finale is a spectacle with gruesome battle sequences, I feel dissatisfied. Having watched Game of Thrones, where Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) showed admirable qualities, I need some light at the end of the tunnel. Brilliant villains like Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) were enjoyable, but their villainy made the heroics of others more galvanizing. As Bonnie Tyler would say, I need a hero before the bitter end.
House of the Dragon is available to watch on HBO Max, Sky and NOW.
