The teaser trailer for House of the Dragon season 3 looks undeniably stunning. Cinematography and dragons (was that Sheepstealer in the Vale at 0:06?) are clearly what the show continues to spend money on.
But beneath the spectacle, it’s getting harder to ignore how far the story seems to be drifting from the spirit (and specifics) of Fire and Blood. Statements like “All that remains is for you to decide what you want from this war” sound repetitive and honestly disappointing for a third season. Rhaenyra wants the throne, revenge, and justice. This has been established since season 1 and by the show’s premise itself.
Another instance that frustrates me is the now-legendary absence of Daeron, youngest son of Viserys and Alicent. We finally, briefly see a glimpse of him at 0:44, beside Ormund Hightower (played by James Norton) and dressed in bright green.
The show has now run for two whole seasons without even mentioning Daeron, one of the dragonriders for Team Green. We’ll definitely see him in season 3, but it might be too little too late for some fans. How is the show going to establish him as a key character this far in the story?
Team Black vs Team Green is getting old
From what we saw in the first two seasons, the show is trying to balance both sides – and that’s not different in this teaser. However, it still feels like Team Black carries the empowering, emotional, and tragic vein of the story – whether the writers fully commit to that or not.
In the trailer, Daemon says, "You now have a power no man has ever wielded. You will have an empire unassailable, Rhaenyra. And our children will rule it forever and a day.” This powerful statement is followed by a very sneaky cut to Jace. The foreshadowing hits even harder since we pretty much know the season will start with the Battle of the Gullet. It’ll be a HUGE battle that I really cannot wait to watch – sealed to my TV, with tears in my eyes. Losing Prince Jace right after Prince Baelor is just cruel.
(On that note: is Rhaenyra crying over Jace’s skull? If yes, please sedate me.)
There are some shots that kind of worry me. For instance, is Helaena giving birth near the end of the teaser? Is maybe Maelor the baby being born? Is this Ryan Condal’s way of making amends for starting the “butterfly effect” criticized by Martin? I don’t really know what to think yet, if that’s really what’s happening.
Overall, the teaser is visually incredible, yes… but narratively? It’s starting to feel like they’re milking out the story until nothing of Martin’s core remains. Style over fidelity, I guess.
Add us as a preferred source on Google