Fans who declared they would boycott House of the Dragon after the season 2 finale may soon regret their decision, according to Metro's TV Editor Sabrina Barr. With season 3 premiering on June 22, early screenings suggest a spectacular comeback.
Season 2 Finale Disappointment
Two years ago, the season 2 finale left many viewers underwhelmed. The episode ended on a cliffhanger, with House Stark marching from Winterfell and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) striking a secret bargain. Fans had hoped for the Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal clash from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, but it was pushed to season 3.
Showrunner Ryan Condal explained to The Hollywood Reporter: 'One of the things that came into play in season two is: What is the final destination of the series and where are we going? It was a combination of factors that led us to rebalance the season knowing now where we’re going.' He added that they wanted to give the Battle of the Gullet, 'arguably the second most anticipated action event of Fire & Blood, the time and the space that it deserves.'
Fan Reactions and Boycotts
Fans expressed frustration on social media. Reddit user nosayso wrote: 'Coming from someone who liked the season and definitely enjoys the show: it’s still absolutely bananas that they ended on a cliffhanger... this wait is just an objectively bad decision for maintaining your audience.' Another user, Galahad_the_Ranger, scathingly commented: 'This season could’ve been an email.' GregorianShant, still upset by Game of Thrones' final season, said: 'Classic "Fool me once". After I got burned by GOT, I refuse to watch any Thrones media.'
Season 3 Early Reactions
Despite the backlash, Barr argues that boycotting is over the top. Early screenings of season 3's first episode have generated excitement. @watchwithdiya wrote on X: 'Just watched the first episode of House of the Dragon s3 at the world premiere…. I’m speechless. No one is ready…' @gameofthroneshistorian shared on Instagram: 'HOTD S03E01 is nothing like we’ve EVER seen, not just in Westeros but in television in general.'
A Return to Form
Barr, who gave season 3 a four-star review, notes that the show had gripping moments in season 2, including Princess Rhaenys Targaryen's heroic death and the tension between brothers Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). However, the payoff was lacking. With season 3, she believes the series returns to its former greatness. 'For anyone out there who decided to boycott this epic series after the dissatisfying end to season two, there’s no shame in changing your mind,' she writes.
What to Expect
House of the Dragon is planned for four seasons. Barr suggests that giving up at the halfway point is a loss, as the final two seasons promise to remind viewers why they fell in love with Westeros. Season 3 premieres on Monday, June 22, on HBO Max, Sky, and NOW.
