House of the Dragon Season 3: Can It Overcome the Battle of the Gullet Dilemma?

Warning: Spoilers for Fire & Blood – and potentially House of the Dragon season 3 – ahead.

As a devoted fan, hearing about House of the Dragon season 3 kicking off with one of Westeros’s deadliest and goriest conflicts has me buzzing with anticipation – but it also presents quite the conundrum.

It’s clear that quite a few viewers have pointed out that the second season of the Game of Thrones spin-off took a more gradual, or slower, approach to storytelling, which some people found tedious.

Although the intricacy was noteworthy, it seemed like an intense climax was being set up, only for it to be absent. For readers familiar with George R.R. Martin’s novels, this would have been the Battle of the Blackwater Bay.

As a movie buff, I was initially excited about the prospect of a full 10-episode Season 2, culminating in an epic, climactic battle. However, unforeseen circumstances like the WGA and SAG strikes and financial constraints forced us to trim down the season length. Now, HBO’s Francesca Orsi has shared some intriguing news – instead of starting Season 3 with the aftermath of that battle, we’ll be diving right into it!

It’s unfortunate that such a situation might lead to numerous complications for the series, but luckily, showrunner Ryan Condal has a potential solution. For those who haven’t read the source material, beware of potential spoilers!

In the intense Battle of the Gullet, the Black faction suffered heavily. Jacaerys Velaryon, portrayed by Harry Collett in the series, met a tragic end alongside his dragon Vermax. They both fell to their deaths after being struck by arrows – an outcome that even Collett had anticipated, as he received a preemptive call about his character’s demise from showrunner Condal before the conclusion of season 2.

Prince Viserys Targaryen, Jace’s younger brother, is also taken captive and presumed dead.

Despite fans eagerly anticipating an action scene that might equal the intensity of the Battle of the Bastards from Game of Thrones, it remains uncertain if such a scene will deliver the anticipated emotional punch.

Fans are excited about a possible action sequence as intense as the Battle of the Bastards, but we’re not sure if it will live up to our expectations.

In the second season, Jace seemed less fully realized, despite the significant event at the end of season 1 where his brother Lucerys was lost. He did make progress, like his trip to Winterfell and persuading Cregan Stark to mobilize an army of greybeards for Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) side. However, most of the attention in season 2 was rightfully directed elsewhere.

The reason for this is that the season was filled with other narratives, such as Daemon’s (Matt Smith) visions, the unveiling of Helaena’s (Phia Saban) abilities, and the continuous interplay between Rhaenyra and Alicent (Olivia Cooke). However, this also implies that we haven’t spent enough time with Jace for his demise to have as profound an impact as it potentially could.

One aspect worth noting is that, up until now, most of Rhaenyra’s younger children haven’t appeared much in the series; however, it’s these children who serve as the primary reason for Jace to engage in combat.

It’s understandable that Jace might still choose to fight for his siblings, but it would have carried a greater emotional weight if he had grown up with them, as he did with Lucerys. This could have been emphasized even more if there were more on-screen moments between them, similar to the relationships among the Stark children in the original series.

As a movie critic, let me express my concerns about the upcoming season of House of the Dragon. Shifting from a leisurely paced Season 2 to an action-packed opening battle might feel jarring and structurally awkward. The sudden change could disrupt the flow of the show, given the extended hiatuses between seasons that we’ve experienced so far with House of the Dragon.

Will it do the battle justice to have all the build-up have been last season?

Since season 2 has ended and the Battle of the Gullet is set as the premiere for season 3, there’s not much time left for the writers to make adjustments before the event occurs. However, the way they handle the aftermath could determine whether it’s seen as a triumph or a disappointment by fans.

It’s crucial that we fully comprehend the emotional repercussions of Jace’s passing. To do so, it would be beneficial to spend quality time with those closest to him, especially Rhaenyra, his mother, and above all, Baela (Bethany Antonia), who seems to hold a significant place in his life.

In season 2, Jace’s character showed growth primarily through his relationship with Baela. Therefore, understanding how this relationship affects her will be essential.

It’s well-known that the series is considering weaving aspects of Nettles’s story (originally cut from the show) into Rhaena’s character (played by Phoebe Campbell). This might lead to Rhaena joining Jace in aerial combat on Sheepstealer, creating a potentially dangerous scenario for her sister Baela.

Additionally, it’s crucial to observe the devastation on both fronts. The horrific loss and fatalities from the Battle of the Gullet will demonstrate that neither side emerges victorious, and it’s essential to understand that Jace was not the sole casualty in this conflict.

So far, the series has demonstrated exceptional skill in portraying significant setbacks for both the Greens and the Blacks, resulting in the unforeseen encounter between Rhaenyra and Alicent during season 2, as well as Rhaenyra’s unsuccessful effort to uphold her father’s truce.

In season 3, that sense of loss on both sides will need to be more prevalent than ever.

Starting the third season with the epic Battle of the Gullet may prove challenging due to high expectations. After all, showrunner Condal is aware that satisfying every viewer might just be impossible.

If he manages to blend the intense drama, thrilling action, and passionate revenge from the first season, along with the deliberate tempo and focus on intricate details from the second season, then he certainly stands a strong chance of success.

2025-02-14 16:04

Read More