Review of Episode 3 of Season 3 of House of The Dragon

Warning: This review contains complete spoilers for Episode 3 of Season 3 of House of the Dragon. For the review of Episode 1 click here. And Episode 2 here. If the last episode centered around Rhaenyra's reclaiming of the Iron Throne, this episode reminds us that this was just the beginning. The military victory has been secured, for the time being, but the real battle for power has now begun, and it is more complex and dangerous than any confrontation between the dragons. From the first minutes, the episode succeeds in placing us in Rhaenyra's perspective, who suddenly finds herself faced with dozens of crises requiring fateful decisions, and every decision she makes seems correct at its moment, but instead sows the seeds for a new crisis or the potential loss of another ally. And although the episode lacks dragon battles or major bloody scenes, it does not grant us the opportunity to catch our breath. The events flow quickly, but without seeming rushed, rather with a calculated pace that continually increases the tension. It is one of the political episodes of the series, but also one of the most exciting, bringing back the feeling that characterized the best seasons of Game of Thrones. We witness a change in the opening credits this episode, which does not just depict events that have occurred but also casts a symbolic light on what may come later. Among the new additions to the credits, we see Rhaenyra at the center of the scene, alongside Daemon and Mysaria, whom Rhaenyra officially appoints as the Lady of Whispers later in this episode, symbolizing the two sides representing her rule, the voice of the people and the fire of the dragon. Then we see Corlys, Alicent, and Helena alongside them. After that, there’s an embroidery of a rat (more on that later), and the new additions conclude with the common people, who at first glance appear to be cheering her on, but soon we see the blood around them indicating that there is more blood to come among the people, just before the fabric itself begins to totally crack towards the final logo of the series. This feeling accompanies the entire episode. The moment she sits on the throne, Rhaenyra is bombarded with endless problems. The people want food, the treasury is empty, and the triad pirates are attacking the shores, while she still needs to solidify her rule officially and be crowned as the rightful queen. For the first time, she feels the weight of real governance, and sitting on the throne has not solved any of her problems but has created new, more complex ones. The pressure mounts when she discovers that Tyland Lannister has gotten a step ahead of everyone, having completely emptied the Red Keep's treasury before its fall. It was an incredibly smart move, as it deprived Rhaenyra of the crucial resources she needs to consolidate her authority. She wants to be the 'Queen of the People,' but how can she feed a hungry populace or rebuild the realm without money? Ironically, the same weapon she and Mysaria previously used against the greens, when they capitalized on the popular anger from hunger, may now turn against her if the situation continues as it is. With every new crisis, we feel Rhaenyra's mental state deteriorating. We must not forget that just a few months ago she not only lost her father but also lost Lucerys, Joffrey, and her child who was born dead in a very short period. The episode carries this weight in almost every scene, whether through the ominous music, Rhaenyra's exhausted looks, or even the moment she hallucinates about seeing Joffrey. The most expressive moments come when she initially refuses to kill Daeron, then sees her son before her, and her tone immediately shifts as she questions: why wouldn’t I kill him as my sons were killed? It begins to become evident how she is starting to lose the self-control that she had previously been known for. And this leads us to the most important idea in the episode: every decision Rhaenyra makes is a double-edged sword. Ownership of six dragons does not guarantee victory, as Daemon tries to tell her, for her true strength does not lie in the dragons alone but in the loyalty of those who ride them. Ironically, her attempt to build a just rule ends here by sowing the seeds for potential rebellion among her closest allies. Starting with the most loyal: Adam, whom she refused to legitimize and name as Corlys's heir, she risks losing not only him but also both Corlys and Laenor. Corlys has every right to feel anger, and he finally voices out loud everything people have been whispering for years about the lineage of Rhaenyra's children.