House of the Dragon Season 3 Change Highlights a Harsh Reality for House Targaryen

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The third season of “House of the Dragon” will pick up where we left off in the civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons. This upcoming season faces high expectations, especially after the cliffhanger ending in Season 2 and the need to deliver several significant action scenes. Fans are also hoping for a faster-paced narrative, but without rushing through important storylines. Additionally, there may be some adjustments to elements from George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” a change that sparked criticism of “House of the Dragon” in the past.

A character whose tale appears to be evolving once more is Daemon Targaryen. In the book, Daemon appears to spend a large portion of Season 3 with Nettles, a dragonrider, who seems to have been omitted from the show’s narrative. However, set photographs and videos suggest that he’s taking on a more militaristic role, interacting with characters not encountered in the book, and leading his troops. In one video from account @housethedragons, it appears Daemon is readying his men for battle, stating they’ll be remembered as the ones who began the “end of the Hightowers.” Unfortunately for him, this proves to be quite the contrary. Spoilers from Fire & Blood ahead.

House Hightower Ends Up Better Off Than House Targaryen

The Dance of the Dragons results in no clear victors, leaving the realm shattered, charred, and in dire need of repair. House Targaryen is tasked with rebuilding not only the kingdom but also themselves from the ruins. While Daemon and Rhaenyra may technically emerge victorious, their victory is a hollow one as their son, Aegon the Younger, ascends to the Iron Throne as King Aegon III Targaryen. However, by this point in the story, both Daemon and Rhaenyra have passed away, so there are no triumphant celebrations for them.

In another perspective, Daemon portrays the conflict as the Hightowers versus the Targaryens, which makes his defeat appear more dismal. However, when considering “Game of Thrones” lore, it’s worth noting that despite some significant defeats during the civil war, the Hightowers may have actually fared better than the Targaryens. For instance, Aegon II, their chosen king, meets an untimely end; Otto eventually faces execution, while Alicent survives the Dance but is confined to her chambers in the Red Keep. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the Hightowers experienced less catastrophic losses compared to the Targaryens.

In the span of about 150 years following the events depicted in “House of the Dragon,” the Targaryens might maintain their rule over Westeros, yet this marks a significant downturn for them. During the Dance of Dragons, most of their dragons perish, and though they survive until Aegon III’s reign, they eventually disappear completely – only to be resurrected by Daenerys Targaryen much later on. However, their legacy is marked by a blend of triumphs and failures: they retain control, but refuse to learn from past mistakes. As a result, the rise of House Blackfyre, a secondary branch of the Targaryens, triggers no less than five rebellions that can be likened to internal conflicts.

In the era of “Game of Thrones”, House Targaryen finds itself in ruins, teetering on the brink of extinction with its remaining members far removed from the action. Conversely, House Hightower persists, seemingly undisturbed and mostly avoiding conflicts. This noble house maintains its reign over Oldtown, a city among the largest and wealthiest in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and one of the most significant ports for trade. Its connections with the Faith of the Seven and the Citadel add to its significance. The Hightowers are on par with the Lannisters in terms of wealth, though they tend to shy away from war. However, they possess a formidable military strength when needed.

Apart from Oldtown, the Hightowers also have significant political clout that stretches far. Alerie Hightower is the Lady of Highgarden, wed to Mace Tyrell, who is the Warden of the South. This marriage gives them considerable influence over a large portion of the Reach. Their daughter is Margaery Tyrell and, despite her unfortunate fate in Game of Thrones, she marries the king – twice! The Targaryens, after House of the Dragon, are involved in internal conflicts that almost wipe them out, but the Hightowers instead continue to amass wealth, power, and influence, making Daemon’s words quite incorrect.

You can stream seasons 1 and 2 of “House of the Dragon” on HBO Max, along with all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones.” The third season of “House of the Dragon” is anticipated for release in 2026.

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2025-08-31 15:10