(Spoilers ahead)
.
.
While swords may be drawn and plans may be hatched the fact remains that the only thing that keeps Targaryans alive are dragons, and the only thing that can kill them... are their dragons. The first episode of House of the Dragon season three, convincingly pulls viewers back into all things that made the franchise, plans hatched in the shadows, all consuming war, and the might of the Dragons. Though we dive right back into all of these, the standout is definitely the showcase of naval warfare with the Battle of the Gullet.
While the political ramifications of this battle remains, we are finally shown why Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) earned his moniker as the Sea Snake. Caught by surprise by Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and the Triarchy, headed by their commander Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), the Sea Snake and his headstrong, illegitimate son Alyn (Abubakar Salim) fight back with all their might, with Corlys finally earning the respect of Alyn as a warrior.
The first major death of the season arrive with episode one, as we say goodbye to Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) and his dragon Vermax. The series also confirms the nature of his death, which is just an unconfirmed story in George RR Martin's Fire and Blood.
A few days since 10 years of the seminal Game of Thrones episode, Battle of the Bastards, we are treated to another immersive and engaging battle on a new front. With supreme focus given to this Battle, the makers have firmly asserted the return to the Seven Kingdoms, with an energetic and forthright opening.
Meanwhile, Aegon has escaped with Larys, only to be given up on the first sign of trouble. Aemond learns of this escape and immediately seals his ascension to the Iron Throne, only to be quietly afraid of Rhaenyra Targaryan's (Emma D'Arcy) dragon power. This leads to the wildest incestuous scene in the franchise's history. Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) has to manipulate Aemond to fight in Harrenhal, but ends up submitting to her own son, who kisses her to assert his power? Shock value aside, one wonders if this stomach churning moment will pay off.
But alas some sluggishness remains. The reason being the bloated nature of the story. Apart from King's Landing and the Gullet, we are only shown glimpses of every other character of the story and there ensues some confusion. Rodrick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) and Cregan Stark's Winter Wolves, arrive early with the head of Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall), and join Daemon Targaryan (Matt Smith) and Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) in their fight, only with a five minute scene. Meanwhile the only glimpse of Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) is a simple dialogue that has to recap viewers of their storyline. Be it the Riverlands, or King's Landing, or Dragonstone, or the Gullet, House of the Dragon's refusal to reserve a storyline for later, ends up in multiple incomplete setups, that just does the bare minimum.
However it is composer Ramin Djawadi who consistently carries the episode. The viewers are introduced a new version of the theme song, which begins with heavy drum beats, immediately indulging the viewer into the heightened intensity that awaits. This intense score continues for the entirety of the episode, reiterating the looming doom that hangs over all of the players.
While not the strongest of starts, the intrigue to find out the fate of the characters still remain. The hope is for the thrill to increase exponentially as the stakes are raised.
