House of the Dragon: Is season 3 the best one so far?

By Violaine Schütz.

Published on 5 September 2022. Updated on 19 June 2026.

Even diehard fans of Game of Thrones (2011-2019) will agree… The first two seasons of HBO’s saga House of the Dragon (2022-) were disappointing, despite their prestigious cast and ambitious production design. They never quite recaptured the excitement and intensity of the early years of the iconic series.

As season 3 will premiere on HBO Max on June 22nd, 2026, our editorial team watched the first three episodes of the show, co-created by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. So, is it worth diving in?

House of the Dragon, a prequel inspired by Game of Thrones

Throwback to season 1. The opening episodes of House of the Dragon, released in 2022, did not entirely win us over. Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood, this prequel takes place nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. They immerse the audience in a dark, claustrophobic, yet familiar medieval atmosphere. The series follows the tragedies and bitter conflicts tearing apart House Targaryen, the family ruling over the Seven Kingdoms, whose members are famous for their silver hair and majestic dragons — the true stars of the show.

In season 1, we meet King Viserys, a ruler of Westeros who struggles to command respect and must choose an heir. His only direct descendant is his daughter Rhaenyra, a princess determined to carve out her own path. But another claimant emerges, the king’s brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, a terrifying and ambitious warrior. While Game of Thrones portrays the rivalries and intrigues of several great houses, House of the Dragon focuses solely on House Targaryen. Yet, this narrower scope does not necessarily make the story easier to follow. From the very first episode, the series struggles to clearly establish a clear narrative, leaving viewers scrambling to piece together the many political and familial dynamics.

His Majesty Matt Smith

Indeed, all the ingredients are there to satisfy fans of the iconic fantasy saga, from battles to bloodshed, family drama, sex, and unrestrained violence… The spectacular visuals also deserve praise. According to Variety, each episode of season 1 reportedly cost around $20 million. Besides, the prominence given to complex female characters, particularly in the harrowing childbirth scene from episode 1, is refreshing.

Yet the slow pace and somewhat lackluster cast, aside from British actor Matt Smith, who rises above the rest, quickly bored us. These early episodes sorely lack flamboyance, emotional depth, and genuine renewal. As the season progresses, however, the tales of betrayal, jealousy, and lust for power acquire enough complexity to edge closer to the high bar set by Game of Thrones. After all, it was hard to imagine a series celebrating the magnificence of dragons without creators and characters who possessed a similar fire and passion themselves.

Back to classic Game of Thrones?

Season 2 proved far more compelling than the previous one. Featuring more dragons, enhanced visual effects, several spectacular set pieces and richer character development, this second chapter felt considerably more epic. Actress Emma D’Arcy described the season as being about grief. Speaking to Deadline, she explained: “I tried to make the most of the opportunity I was given to physically portray grief and its impact on relationships, desire, mental state… The writers achieved something remarkable this season by weaving together the characters’ personal emotions and political ambitions. To me, that’s the true starting point of the series.”

Also speaking to Deadline, actor Matt Smith suggested that the season felt like “old-school Game of Thrones.” He then added: “We’re going to explore different worlds and different corners of the realm of Westeros.” However, the season finale ultimately felt somehow stagnant and more of a setup for season 3 than as a genuine ending.

Is season 3 of House of the Dragon worth watching?

So, what to think about season 3 of House of the Dragon? The first three episodes should please viewers who felt the series lacked large-scale battle sequences. Among the highlights of this new chapter is the long-awaited Battle of the Gullet, a major naval confrontation that unfolds on an epic scale.

The Greens of Alicent Hightower and the Blacks of Rhaenyra Targaryen return in a storm of fire, noise, fury, and bloodshed. Expect lots of betrayals and dragons. The pacing is brisk, while the performances are strikingly intense, especiallt the nuanced performance of the ever-charismatic Emma D’Arcy. If the remaining episodes can maintain the same momentum and dramatic power as these opening chapters, season 3 may well become the strongest installment of House of the Dragon to date.

Season 3 of House of the Dragon (2022–), created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan J. Condal, will premiere on HBO Max on June 22nd, 2026.