House of the Dragon roared back onto our screens and made it clear that Season 3 is taking no prisoners. From the war drums added to the iconic theme song to the absolutely breathtaking cinematography and choreography of the Battle of the Gullet, “Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood” was one hell of a season premiere.
Unfortunately, that ride ended in tragedy.
Jace and Vermax fell in the Gullet, brought down by Rhaena and her feral dragon, Sheepstealer. Queen Rhaenyra has already sacrificed so much in her pursuit of the Iron Throne, and after this devastating loss, the real war is only just beginning.
Honestly, the Battle of the Gullet should be studied. It was a masterclass in how to stage a battle for television. The scale, the tension, the dragons, the emotion. Absolute cinema.
And I had thoughts.
35 Thoughts About House Of The Dragon Season 3 Episode 1
There were entire stretches of the episode where I forgot to write anything down because I was too busy staring at the screen forgetting to breathe. But I managed to collect some thoughts.
- The new theme is such a banger. 10/10.
- Is it weird that I know the geography of Westeros better than the geography of the U.S.? I don’t think so.
- You can do it Rhaena- I believe in you!
- Yes, yes you are pathetic Aegon.
- I swear fealty to the One True Queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen!
- Larys WTF?
- Never trust Alicent.
- Aemond’s not wrong about Aegon, to be honest.
- Everything you touch turns to trash Alicent.
- WINTER WOLVES! THE NORTH PULLING UP!
- Cristin Cole is too emo to function. I hate that man.
- How is this whiny little goblin riding the most powerful dragon in the world? At least the other dragonseeds are trying to be decent people. This one is just as awful as Criston.
- Hold on Rhaena- You can do it!
- Corlys, it’s your time to shine pal.
- Alyn will be the son you always wanted Corlys.
- WAR in the Gullet Let’s gooooo!
- Sheepstealer brought Rhaena dinner and cooked it. So thoughtful.
- You’re right Alicent, it’s all your fault. All of this is all your fault.
- She’s just manipulating you Aemond. She hates you just like the rest of us do.
- Alicent has really learned how to use soft power to manipulate and get her way. When women are trapped in circumstances that’s often what they do to try and gain some power. Unfortunately, Alicent weaponizes that soft power in the worst possible ways.
- Between The Vampire Lestat and House of the Dragon, I have officially reached my lifetime quota of uncomfortable family relationships.
- Don’t go Jace, don’t go…
- Even queens have men overriding their decisions “for their own safety.” Funny how nobody would lock a king in his chambers for protection.
- LOHAR Vs CORLYS LET’S FUCKING GOOOO.
- NO! VERMAX! JACE!
- The scale of this battle is feature film worthy. Truly epic.
- BYE Lannisters have fun swimming in plate armor.
- High Tide is gone. I’m almost glad Rhaenys isn’t alive to see this.
- Sheepstealer has gone rogue!
- GET UP CORLYS. GET UP, SER!
- YASSS ALYN GETTING THE JOB DONE!
- No! Not Jace! Rhaenyra can’t lose another son!
- I can’t breathe.
- I’m starting a class action lawsuit against HBO for emotional damage. Fuck me.
- “I will take what is mine with fire and blood.” Rhaenyra is about bring that Targaryen fire to King’s Landing. Get ready for all out war across Westeros.
“Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood” delivered exactly what fans hoped for from a season premiere. Political intrigue. Dragon battles. Emotional devastation. And enough trauma to keep everyone in therapy for the next decade.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2
House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2 airs Sunday, June 28, at 9 PM EST on HBO Max.
Very little information has been released about the episode so far, but if the preview for the rest of the season is any indication, Rhaenyra Targaryen is officially done asking politely.
And Westeros is about to learn exactly what Fire and Blood really means.
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