House of the Dragon returns for its third season with a fiery bang, delivering the epic dragon-based smackdown that fans have been waiting for. After two forgettable seasons that struggled with pacing and character development, the Game of Thrones prequel finally finds its footing, balancing massive battles with sharp character-driven scenes.
Season 3 Opens with the Battle of the Gullet
The season premiere centers on the Battle of the Gullet, a naval engagement that was originally intended to be the season two finale. This orgy of CGI carnage features dragons, deck sword fights, underwater punch-ups, and a crescendo of arrows and fire. The battle pits the cautious Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), distracted by paternal guilt, against the recklessly dashing Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), who knows no fear. The outcome is decisive, but the smaller human stories within the spectacle give it strong bones.
Three Pivotal Women Drive the Drama
Thorn's brash performance highlights one of three pivotal women whose refusal to heed advice will shape their fates. Thwarted queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) gambles from afar, while Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) schemes to survive, burdened by her son Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), whose eye patch and vengeful demeanor recall a bullied little brother. D'Arcy and Cooke are poised to take over the show, with D'Arcy bringing wounded ferocity and Cooke remaining artfully unreadable.
Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen Steals Scenes
Cutting imperiously through the middle is Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Rhaenyra's uncle and husband. At least 100 characters fail to learn that charging Daemon with a sword ends with him lancing them through the throat. But Smith is more impressive when swords are sheathed; his smirk flickering around the edges of his mouth tells viewers to relax and enjoy the crimson chaos.
Lighter Moments and New Faces
House of the Dragon is less flippant than Game of Thrones and less reliant on sex and nudity. Instead, it offers offbeat cuteness, such as a dragon abandoning its rider on a mountain top only to return with two sheep, one of which it flame-grills. Tom Bennett provides comic relief as the endlessly unlucky dragon rider Ulf. James Norton appears briefly as Lord Ormund Hightower, making a joke about a messenger who reeks of faeces amusing before vanishing, kept in reserve.
A Return to Form
Season three has the confidence of knowing its edge was never sharper. The aftermath of the opening episodes' bloodshed is a rewardingly textured game, more sophisticated as drama than the show has been before. Some characters crave power while others lament being careful what they wished for. House of the Dragon airs on Sky Atlantic and streams on Now and HBO Max.
