On June 21, 2026, the third season of House of the Dragon launches. Thanks to the book, I already know the plot and I know: The season will emotionally destroy me completely.
House of the Dragon is, according to IMDb, the worst of the three series from Westeros, but with a total rating of 8.3 out of 10 stars, it still holds 64th place among the most popular series. Personally, I find it even better than Game of Thrones itself, although it doesn’t quite compare to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
A plus for me is that the entire plot and the ending have already been written. Even if the adaptation should deviate: They can’t change too much, otherwise, it will lead to continuity problems with the main series.
So I already know what will happen in season three and it will absolutely destroy me. Just because I already know what will happen, it won’t hit me any less hard.
Two tragedies that would completely destroy anyone
Season two of House of the Dragon was unfortunately only eight episodes long. Otherwise, they probably would have ended the season with an absolute bang: The battle in the Gurgle. The third season is likely to start with that and emotionally destroy me completely in episodes one and two.
The two fronts of the naval battle are already laid out. The Velaryon fleet is blocking King’s Landing for Rhaenyra, cutting off the crucial supply of food for the city. To resolve this blockade, the Greens have hired the Triarchy, a coalition of the cities of Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr from the continent of Essos.
Before the fleets can confront each other, the Triarchy captures the Joyful Dedication
. This ship is on its way to Pentos, where Rhaenyra’s younger sons Aegon and Viserys are to be housed. Aegon can escape with his dragon, but his brother Viserys is captured. Rhaenyra believes her son is dead and will never know he is still alive.
That is tragedy number one.
Because Aegon can flee and notify his mother, the Blacks can win the battle: Ulf with Silverwing, Hugo Hammer with Vermithor, Addam with Seasmoke, and the character Nessel, who only appears in the book, decide the battle for their queen.
However, the first to enter the battle is none other than Rhaenyra’s oldest son Jacaerys Velaryon. Together with his dragon Vermax, he sinks several ships. However, both are eventually struck and Jacaerys is killed by a bolt.
Tragedy number two.
The (presumed) death of her two sons will only strengthen Rhaenyra’s resolve to seize the Iron Throne. It is likely the beginning of her transformation into Rhaenyra the Cruel
, as she will later be referred to in history books.
For the Black Queen – Until the Bitter End
Honorable people with good intentions – like Jacaerys – do not live long in Westeros. We have known this since episode nine of the first season of Game of Thrones. These are the characters I would love to see victorious. However, the death of Jacaerys is not just a tragedy for Rhaenyra but also an important plot point in her development:
Rhaenyra loses child after child during the war: Her daughter Visenya is stillborn. Lucerys is murdered by Aemond and Vhagar. By the beginning of the third season, she now loses Jacaerys and Viserys – her oldest and youngest son.
Yes, Rhaenyra is queen and must think strategically. But losing four of her children in a short period would bring any mother to the emotional brink. And this will lead her to actions that are a much better plot than we sit at a table, sort this out like adults, and love each other
.
As much as I wish for a happy ending for the characters in House of the Dragon (except for Otto Hightower), I will enjoy suffering with them throughout the upcoming season:
I know exactly what will happen in the battle in the Gurgle. Nevertheless, I will watch and hope that the show deviates from the book. And then I will sit on the couch crying when Jacaerys doesn’t make it. It will wear me out and the bittersweet pain will make me wave the Rhaenyra flag for the rest of the episodes.
Is Rhaenyra responsible for the people suffering from hunger in King’s Landing? Yes, absolutely. Her fleet is blocking the harbor. I have never claimed she is blameless. Just as her brother and rival Aegon is definitely no innocent lamb.
I love that in House of the Dragon, unlike A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there are no heroes. But only complex characters who all make mistakes and terrible things happen in their name. Even though heroes like Duncan are a welcome change:
Once again, dip deep into the CGI budget pot
House of the Dragon is likely to ramp up even more with season three: Big battles, dragons, tragedies, and tragedies. This will probably also require a lot of CGI budget because the hard blockbuster plot points are still to come.
This might also explain the shortened second and now third season: Every time dragons move across the screen, it gets really expensive. In addition to the battle in the Gurgle, we can also expect some highlights, including the Honeywine battle. There, Alicent’s youngest son Daeron Targaryen and his dragon Tessarion will intervene for the first time.
Important: Daeron Targaryen, who rides Tessarion, has nothing to do with Daeron Targaryen from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. You can read more about the latter here:
In the trailer, we see Rhaenyra already taking the Iron Throne – the fall of King’s Landing will also surely be included. The Black Queen and her husband Daemon will seize the capital with their two dragons Syrax and Caraxes.
Depending on how long the season is, we might even see Daemon fighting Aemond above the God’s Eye at Harrenhal or the storming of the dragon pit in King’s Landing towards the end. Of course, these are not all the things awaiting us in June, but I don’t want to spoil everything.
No matter how much of the rest of the Dance of Dragons the season covers: It will be way more turbulent than in the previous two seasons. There should be more dragon battles, more traditional
plot twists a la Game of Thrones, and of course, this bittersweet pain.
Because no matter who wears the crown in the end – everyone will have lost. No matter who your favorite was. And I am already really looking forward to it. To be perfectly prepared for the upcoming dragon fights, you should also take a look at this list: House of the Dragon: The 10 most powerful dragons in the power ranking
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