All hail Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, as House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 sees her claiming the Iron Throne — and leaves things on a high note for Team Black heading into episode 3.
After grappling with the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet, the fittingly titled "Queen's Landing" follows Rhaenyra and Daemon to King's Landing. Alicent (sort of) makes good on her promise to clear a path for them, and the City Watch's loyalty to Daemon does the rest. With their help, Rhaenyra takes back her birthright, and House of the Dragon's latest concludes with her ascending the throne.
Of course, that's not the end of the Dance of the Dragons, as House of the Dragon season 3's eight-episode count and George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood can attest. Otto Hightower may serve as a stand-in for Aegon in episode 2, but Rhaenyra's half-brothers are still at large. They'll no doubt be looking to even the score, and they're unlikely to be the only opposition Rhaenyra faces. We'll learn what follows her latest win in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3. What time can viewers expect it on HBO and HBO Max?
- What time is season 3 episode 3 out?
- How long is season 3 episode 3?
- Sign up for HBO Max
- What happened in episode 2 and what to expect from episode 3
What time is season 3 episode 3 out?
Game of Thrones Sundays are back on, as new episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 follow the same release schedule as the original series and the spinoff's two prior outings. They air on HBO every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, with one installment dropping weekly. This will continue until House of the Dragon season 3's finale arrives on Sunday, August 9.
Viewers tuning in on the HBO channel will need to be seated and ready for action at 9 p.m. ET on the dot. However, anyone who can't swing that needn't fret. HBO's schedule confirms it will be airing House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3 again at 10 and 11 p.m. ET on July 5. It will also continue its re-runs into July 6, playing on repeat from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET. The Fourth of July weekend won't interfere with its release in the United States (though it may give fans more time to catch up).
HBO Max subscribers can also stream House of the Dragon's latest on the streaming service, and they're not as beholden to its release time. They can press play on episode 3 at 9 p.m. ET or any time after. They'll also be able to rewind, fast-forward, and pause — and given the complex politics of Westeros, they may want to take advantage of those functions.
How long is season 3 episode 3?
House of the Dragon season 3's first two episodes are both lengthy ones, which makes sense given their contents. Episode 3 will be a return to form for the Game of Thrones spinoff, as it's listed for a runtime of 60 minutes including the credits. Of course, that's still plenty of space to tackle the aftermath of the Fall of King's Landing, and it's fairly standard for a mid-season chapter of the show.
Considering where we leave the characters, we're probably be seeing less action and more talking and maneuvering. Fortunately, the Game of Thrones franchise excels at both.
Sign up for HBO Max
If you're still waiting to sign up for HBO Max and dig into House of the Dragon, now's the perfect opportunity to get a subscription. The streaming service is currently offering a 40% discount to anyone who purchases an annual plan. The deal is running from June 18 to July 15, so there are still a couple more weeks to take advantage of it. With House of the Dragon continuing into August, and HBO Max boasting other great offerings, it's worth considering.
Those planning to sign up later or looking for monthly plans also have options. HBO Max offers multiple subscription tiers, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best one for you will depend on what else you're planning to use it for. House of the Dragon is a given. However, those hoping to stream sports or use multiple devices may benefit from the standard or premium options. Check out HBO Max's offerings below.
Basic With Ads | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|
$10.99/month or $109.00/year | $18.49/month or $184.99/year | $22.99/month or $229/year |
Watch with limited ads | Watch on the go | Watch on the go and in 4K |
Stream on 2 devices at once | Stream on 2 devices at once | Stream on 4 devices at once (only 2 for sports) |
Full HD video resolution | Full HD video resolution | 4k Ultra HD video quality |
30 downloads to watch on the go | Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available) | |
Live sports | 100 downloads to watch on the go | |
Live sports |
What happened in episode 2 and what to expect from episode 3
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 alters the power dynamics of the Dance of the Dragons, giving the Blacks a major win by having them claim the Red Keep. It also features a post-action sequence following the Battle by the Lakeshore (a.k.a. the Fishfeed), which sees losses on both sides — but is primarily a defeat for the Lannister host in the Riverlands. The tides are turning in Rhaenyra's favor, but that doesn't mean keeping the Iron Throne will be easy.
Aegon and Larys escape their captors in episode 2, which means they're free to build a resistance from the shadows. And although Prince Aemond faces a stab wound at Harrenhal, he manages to retake the castle. That, plus Vhagar, gives him some leverage to use in his war against Rhaenyra.
Needless to say, tensions will remain high heading into House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3. HBO's preview for this week's episode doesn't focus on Aegon or Aemond, though, centering Rhaenyra's struggles instead. She may be ruling from the Red Keep, but as her council points out, her "resources are small" and "hazards are many." It looks as though she'll be fighting to prove her father's faith in her is justified, and she'll be faced with difficult choices...like removing the other claimants to the Iron Throne.
Watch the preview for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3 here:
House of the Dragon is clearly building to the perception of Rhaenyra as a ruthless queen, which is how she's depicted in Fire & Blood. It's pushing her to embrace a darker side of herself in order to prove she's a competent ruler. Only time will tell if she sells the people of Westeros on that. Even if she does, we can probably expect challenges and surprises in the coming episodes of House of the Dragon. We are still in the Game of Thrones universe, after all.
Add us as a preferred source on Google