A star rating of 5 out of 5.
This review is based on episodes 1 and 2 of House of the Dragon season 3.
The first season of House of the Dragon received some criticism for being slow and lacking excitement. However, the show’s explosive return promises a much more action-packed third season, addressing those earlier concerns.
We last saw House Targaryen split into two sides – the Blacks and the Greens – preparing for conflict. Now, the story jumps right into a full-scale civil war, starting with the Battle of the Gullet. This battle was originally intended to be the season finale but got pushed back.
The battle between the Velaryon fleet and the Triarchy lives up to the hype as a truly epic showdown, even with several major characters absent. Corlys Velaryon, Alyn of Hull, and Sharako Lohar lead the charge in this intense and damaging fight that will have long-lasting consequences.
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) is increasingly anxious and desperately wants peace. Her son Aegon (Tom Glynn Carney) runs away from King’s Landing with the manipulative Larys (Matthew Needham), while her other son, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), becomes dangerously ambitious. Throughout the series, moments between Alicent and Rhaenyra hint at lingering affection, but it’s hard to imagine they can overcome the deep pain and losses on both sides.
The show also gives more attention to the characters Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, and Ulf White. This is a welcome change, especially since many viewers hoped House of the Dragon would recapture the humor that made Game of Thrones so popular. Tom Bennett’s portrayal of Ulf seems to be delivering on that hope – he’s reminiscent of Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion Lannister and quickly becomes one of the most entertaining characters to watch.
The series also introduces new characters, with James Norton taking on the role of Ormund Hightower. While he doesn’t have a large part in the first two episodes, it’s likely his character will become more prominent as the season progresses.
As a huge fan, I have to say this season starts with a real bang thanks to Ryan Condal! However, it’s not flawless. There were a couple of scenes early on focusing on Cooke that felt a little… extra, honestly. And, like always happens with adaptations, I’m bracing myself for the debate about how closely things stick to George RR Martin’s books – especially since I heard there was some creative friction between him and Condal during production.
Despite everything, this show consistently reminds us just how epic Game of Thrones can be. The two episodes released so far begin and end with truly unforgettable scenes. Now that the season has started so strongly, the question is whether it can maintain that momentum. Only time will tell. What’s clear is that the Targaryen conflict is finally reaching a boiling point, and as they unleash fire and bloodshed across Westeros, everyone is in danger.
The third season of House of the Dragon will be available to stream on HBO Max in the UK starting June 22nd. You can currently watch seasons 1 and 2 on Sky and NOW. If you’re interested in getting Sky TV, you can find more information on how to subscribe.
Don’t miss House of the Dragon! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive content, and much more.
Authors
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.
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2026-06-15 18:36