House of the Dragon sets up season three with stunning opener
James Cox
House of the Dragon looks like it may finally live up to its potential after an explosive opener to season three; a stunning sea battle, intriguing politics, engaging characters... and yes, dragons.
The first episode of season three had it all.
Before you read on: there are spoilers in this piece if you haven't seen House of the Dragon season three, episode one.
As the first Game of Thrones spin-off, it was inevitable that House of the Dragon would have issues. Its overcomplicated plots, sheer volume of characters, and various plotlines sometimes threatened to undo the show.
Indeed, after the huge success of season one of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there were fears House of the Dragon would never hit the mark.
It looks like the Battle of the Gullet has dispelled those fears.
A joy to watch from start to finish, CGI is used expertly in the bloody naval battle, which included the right amount of action from our fire-breathing friends.
The 'Sea Snake' Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) meets one of his toughest opponents yet in the fearless Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn),
Arrows, fire, sword fights on deck and treacherous sailing manouevres all make their battle one to remember.
The episode is entitled 'Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood', and that sums it up pretty well.
There's also plenty of depth to the episode away from the fighting in the waters of the Gullet.
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) is finding it harder to manipulate Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), who has laid claim to the Iron Throne with his brother Aegon ill and in exile.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) faces her own problems with her son Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett). Indeed, 'Jace' makes a decision that ends in catastrophe.
The brilliant Matt Smith has been one of the highlights of House of the Dragon thus far with his portrayal of Daemon Targaryen. Daemon doesn't feature too much in this episode but his brief presence on screen certainly adds to the action.
After the battle of the Red Fork, Daemon is glad to welcome some reinforcements in the shape of the Winter Wolves. This host of 2,000 ferocious Northmen is led by Lord Roderick Dustin 'Roddy the Ruin'.
Roderick is played by Tommy Flanagan (Gladiator, Sons of Anarchy), and hs is sure to be a central character as season three progresses.
"Very good... we have more lions to hunt," Daemon tells him.
James Norton also makes his debut as Lord Ormund Hightower, who will be on the side of Aemond's claim to the Iron Throne.
The battle is visually brilliant, but some of the best scenes from the episode occur in the interaction between Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) and the dragon 'Sheepstealer'.
The massive beast was dismissed as a lost cause, too dangerous and wild to tame. However, Rhaena persists despite considerable personal danger.
Despite the stunning CGI, it's sometimes hard to see the dragons as proper characters. This is why the show of emotional depth between Rhaena and her new dragon is touching.
Just as she fears it is a lost cause, Sheepstealer returns with his dinner, along with a separate sheep which he grills for Rhaena too eat.
It should be plain sailing, or flying rather, from there, however, a twist comes as she struggles to control the formidable Sheepstealer in battle.
Five stars for the season three opener, it has certainly built things up for season three.
You can watch House of the Dragon on NOW (via the Entertainment & HBO Max Membership) and Sky Atlantic.
