House of the Dragon’s Ending Change Can Save It From Game of Thrones Season 8’s Disaster

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HBO is starting to plan the final seasons of House of the Dragon and is taking steps to avoid the mistakes that plagued the final season of Game of Thrones. The ending of Game of Thrones remains controversial, and is widely considered one of the most disappointing series finales in television history. House of the Dragon is keen to avoid a similar negative reaction.

While the prequel series House of the Dragon has faced some criticism, even from author George R.R. Martin, a bigger problem could arise if it tries to end too quickly, similar to what happened with Game of Thrones. However, there’s now some encouraging news. A recent report suggests that Season 4 might not be the final season after all. Though plans previously indicated a four-season run, those plans are now uncertain, which would likely be a positive development for the show.

House of the Dragon Needs More Than 16 Episodes To End The Story

Compared to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells a more focused story, centering on the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. However, it’s still a large-scale series with many important characters. The show, based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, has several major events planned, including plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Season 3 will kick off with the Fall of King’s Landing and the Battle of the Gullet, but there are over half a dozen other significant battles that the show will likely cover, alongside major character deaths and shifting loyalties.

As a critic, what worries me most is whether this series will allow itself room to breathe. Too short a run – say, only 16 episodes – and I fear it would rush through plot points like the later seasons of Game of Thrones, becoming a series of spectacle rather than a carefully unfolding story. We need the quiet moments, the character development between the big events, to make those moments truly resonate. The setup needs to be deliberate, the build-up gradual, so the payoffs feel earned. Honestly, given where things are headed, I’m especially hoping the finale isn’t crammed. That storyline deserves a bit more breathing room, and I’m not convinced it’s getting it on the current path.

If the show continues beyond Season 4, it probably won’t be a full season like we’re used to. Instead, we might see something different – perhaps six episodes released as Season 4, followed by another six as Season 5. They could film these back-to-back to keep the wait short (Season 4 is scheduled for 2028). This approach would be a good way to finish the story instead of just having one final season with eight episodes.

House of the Dragon Should’ve Taken A Slower Approach From The Start

Even if the creators of House of the Dragon decide to address these issues now, it’s likely too late. The first season rushed through events with its time jumps, and important storylines suffered as a result. Relationships like those between Harwin Strong and Rhaenyra Targaryen, Ser Criston Cole’s turn to darkness, and the evolving dynamic between Rhaenyra and Alicent all needed more development. Trying to cover so many years in just ten episodes weakened the show’s foundation and will make it harder to build a compelling story going forward.

I don’t think we can fix what’s already happened, though cleverly used flashbacks could help, but I really hope the show learns from past issues with pacing. Season 2 felt rushed, especially with delaying the Battle of the Gullet until Season 3. What I’m hoping for is a story that still includes all the important moments, but gives them the breathing room and build-up they deserve. Ultimately, I want House of the Dragon to have a satisfying ending – you can’t please everyone, but maybe this time they can please enough of us.

House of the Dragon Season 3 will be released in summer 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.

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2025-11-24 01:41