House of the Dragon continues with Season 3, and the war of the Targaryens is finally ignited. MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes was able to see the first 4 episodes in advance and especially enjoyed the dragons. But one thing still bothers him.
On June 22, 2026, House of the Dragon continues with Season 3, and I am very much looking forward to it. The family feud of the Targaryens is simply exciting, and one is eager to see – characters like Daemon are just enjoyable to watch, and who doesn’t love dragons.
Seasons 1 and 2 were overall a bit too slow – I would have liked more battles and fights and less talk that drags on. And Season 3 does a lot right in the first 4 episodes, but it still lacks confidence.
House of the Dragon needs to pick up the pace
As already hinted at the end of Season 2, Season 3 starts with a strong battle. I won’t tell you who won, but it is definitely a lot of fun. There’s action with dragons and especially a great ship battle that has not been better portrayed even in Game of Thrones.
This is exactly what one has been waiting for since Season 1 and is met here. The visuals are beautiful and generate a certain impact. But there is also a lack of a certain confidence here.
Instead of showing a battle continuously, the scene is often changed to show another battlefield. This can work to build tension, but Season 3 fails in that regard. I would have wished for a battle to be shown from start to finish, as that would also better highlight the choreographies.
Aside from this battle, the 3rd season in the first 4 episodes fails to pick up the pace again. There is too much talking without anything meaningful being created. The episodes would have benefited from being 10 to 15 minutes shorter, as the length harms the core themes of the series.
What it means to be a king
As in previous seasons, the series not only deals with the struggle for a throne, but with the duties and responsibilities of being a ruler of a country. This is exciting and distinguishes the series from Game of Thrones, although dialogues could have benefited from a bit more editing.
Often an element is too heavily pushed in our faces, which affects the weighting. The series visually shows various issues like the gap between the rich and the poor in a “beautiful” way. No additional explanations of the characters were necessary.
Instead of showing how a main character struggles with her role, it is mentioned again and again. However, House of the Dragon doesn’t really need that, because the conflict of the Targaryens is felt and seen.
One understands the implications of words like bastard
and what that can mean for a possible rule, even without it being overexplained. How it is done right is shown by Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith.
The hidden star
If you liked the acting performances in the previous two seasons, you will be satisfied in Season 3 as well. Emma D’Arcy portrays Rhaenyra’s inner conflict well, and I also really enjoy Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon.
The real scene-stealer is Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen. Thanks to his expressions and movements, he creates a weight that beautifully conveys his personality and ambitions.
The dialogues here are just a framework that Matt Smith uses to create one of the best Westeros characters of all time. Even though I wish for more scenes with him, it is a pleasure to watch him perform every time.
But what about the dragons? So far, I have not mentioned them, but the best is supposedly saved for last. Because the dragons from House of the Dragon are among the best dragons I have ever seen.
The dragons are not only symbolically impactful
The first 4 episodes of Season 3 also live up to the title, as the dragons remain the big highlight of the series. In every scene with them, one can only look at the winged lizards, which look good and are especially a highlight due to their unique designs.
The greatest strength compared to Game of Thrones is also evident in Season 3. Dragons are not just powerful beings; they are a political tool, a deterrent to other realms and, as Rhaenyra’s father liked to emphasize, a power that no man should hold.
This means that the dragons are not only exciting in battles but also work as an element in dialogues. They are like nuclear bombs that, when used, not only cause immense damage but also affect the fundamental course of the future.
However, the series needs to offer more of that in the upcoming episodes because I want more. Show me how devastating the power of these creatures is and how uncontrollable they can be. The visuals are there, and that should be utilized.
If Season 3 leans into that, it could become one of the best series we get in 2026.
What do you think of House of the Dragon? Are you looking forward to Season 3 or are you done with Westeros? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments. You can find an opinion on the last Westeros series here: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is not a new Game of Thrones, but that’s okay
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