Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers for season 2 finale of ‘House of the Dragon’.
The second season of ‘House of the Dragon‘ has wrapped up with several cliffhangers and we can already hear war drums louder in season 3 Westeros. But it’s not just us saying that — George R.R. Martin’s books suggest that the war, known as the ‘Dance of the Dragons’, has barely begun, and the actual carnage is yet to unfold.
Among the many significant developments that we saw in the Season 2 finale, Queen Rhaenyra making sure she doesn’t get left behind and Daemon abiding by her after the vision he has are the two most pivotal plot points that would decide the course of the story further. Besides, Rhaenyra also takes on three new dragon riders— which is not exactly a small boon against which the fearsome Vhagar might even recoil. Meanwhile Team Green isn’t dead yet. All these aspects definitely call for a revolting season 3. Here’s everything that can be expected from the next season of the show.
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Bloody Confrontations Between Major Players
The finale of season 2 of the show has set the stage for a couple of epic battles in the next season, and it’s going to be bloody—something that George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood‘ has already confirmed. The finale of Season 2 has placed all the major players on the map for an intense head-on collision and Rhaenyra is set to make her last stand too by recruiting three new dragonriders.
The Imminent Fall Of King’s Landing
Among the most anticipated events detailed in ‘Fire & Blood‘ is the Fall of King’s Landing. Likely kicking off Season 3, a battle would see Rhaenyra striking a secret deal with Alicent to seize the city while Vhagar and Aemond are away. In George R.R. Martin’s narrative, the Blacks’ strong and quick move is aided by Daemon, played by Matt Smith, and the goldcloaks change sides. Alicent surrenders, yielding the city to Rhaenyra.
A Shaky Pact Between The Queens
In season 2, fans saw Rhaenyra and Alicent strike a deal to have Alicent, Helaena, and Jaehaera go free in return for Aegon’s execution. However, it is likely that it will not hold. After Aegon’s escape at the end of Season 2, Rhaenyra is betrayed, and she may well renege on her promise, setting the stage for further drama in Season 3.
An Epic Naval Clash And Loss Of Lives In The Battle Of The Gullet
Another critical event building up is the Battle of the Gullet, with Season 2 already having set up the fleet of the Triarchy, allied with the Greens, to break the Blacks’ blockade. This sea fight will involve Corlys Velaryon and his fleet but also put Rhaenyra’s youngest sons at risk. The stakes are high, with possible losses on both sides.
The show’s adaptation of the Battle of the Gullet might differ a little from how it is in the book, but all the significant aspects would likely be retained. In the book ‘Fire & Blood‘, Aegon the Younger flees but loses his dragon, Stormcloud, and his brother Viserys gets captured. It costs him highly to stand against the Triarchy, and Jacaerys does so with Harry Collett as the dragonseeds. Jace and his dragon, Vermax, fall, which becomes a huge loss for the Blacks, who also lose their naval superiority and the Crown Prince.
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Daeron Targaryen’s Blazing First Appearance
‘House of the Dragon‘ Season 3 is expected to finally introduce Daeron Targaryen and his dragon, Tessarion. The Season 2 finale sets up the Battle of the Honeywine, wherein Daeron earns his stripes. With the Hightower forces thus pitted against the Beesburys and other Reach families, Tessarion couldn’t have picked a better time to arrive and save the day. The heroics that the young prince pulls off earn him the sobriquet “Daeron the Daring,” marking a big moment in the Targaryen civil war.
Uncertain Path Ahead For The Reach
While ‘Fire & Blood‘ details this battle, the current condition of the Reach in the show isn’t really evident. Daeron’s existence alongside the Hightower army indicates that Season 3 is going to get to the Battle of the Honeywine right away. With the prince holding a significant role, his introduction can’t come fast enough for viewers who would want to see his impact in the war.
Heavy Battles
The Season 2 finale has up a spate of battles to come: the Northerners, Lannisters, and Criston Cole’s — Fabien Frankel — army all set off towards the Riverlands, where Daemon has rallied the Riverlords. That means a trio of battles: the Red Fork, Acorn Hall, and, perhaps most promisingly, the truly gory Fishfeed. Although the series might not capture every fight, these events will shape the strategic landscape for both the Greens and the Blacks.
Criston Cole’s Grim Prospects
After Fishfeed, Criston Cole’s army is under threat as it walks to Harrenhal. The season finale has set the stage for the Butcher’s Ball—the climactic moment for Cole—with Aemond and Vhagar razing the Riverlands. If the next season goes on long enough, it will also feature the Battle of Tumbleton, in which dragonseeds defect, once again shifting allegiances.
More Creative Liberty By Showmakers
This adaptation has already shown interest in breaking free from point-of-source material, and some Season 2 changes were most tantalizing. From Otto Hightower’s imprisonment to Gwayne Hrightower’s unplanned journey with Cole— everything was improvised. Perhaps the most compelling plot change introduced by the show creators was Rhaena coming across a wild dragon—seemingly hinting at her finally taking the beast in her possession. This is in contrast with the book. Although these predictions are based on Martin’s books, the creative liberties taken by the show makers may change the game — and fans might as well brace themselves for it.
However, what has been made clear, if anything, is that ‘House of the Dragon’ isn’t going to shirk away from big narrative swings as anxious fans await the next chapter.
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