{"id":36309,"date":"2026-08-10T10:45:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T05:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=36309"},"modified":"2026-08-10T10:45:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T05:45:39","slug":"i-hate-to-admit-house-of-the-dragons-season-3-finale-exposes-its-biggest-flaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=36309","title":{"rendered":"I hate to admit House of the Dragon\u2019s season 3 finale exposes its biggest flaw"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"metro-video-player  \" data-track-module=\"article_video-player-with-related-carousel\">\n<div class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-responsive\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<video id=\"3694539\" class=\"video-js\" poster=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/09\/12\/110524453-0-image-m-29_1786276204259.jpg\" data-opts=\"{\" autoplay=\"\" of=\"\" the=\"\" dragon=\"\" season=\"\" finale=\"\" teaser=\"\" trailer=\"\" house=\"\" three=\"\" premieres=\"\" monday=\"\" on=\"\" hbo=\"\" max.=\"\" preload=\"metadata\" playsinline=\"\"><source src=\"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/09\/3153456050551439358\/480x270_MP4_3153456050551439358.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"\/><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><em>This is a spoiler-free review for <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/house-of-the-dragon\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\">House of the Dragon<\/a>\u2019s season 3 finale.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have been \u2013\u00a0and continue to be \u2013\u00a0an avid defender of House of the Dragon. There are some who knock the show down, claiming it\u2019s not worth the watch. This is simply not true, although there has been valid cause for criticism through its three-season run.<\/p>\n<p>Fans have recently been furious over the treatment of <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/olivia-cooke\/\">Olivia Cooke<\/a> as Alicent Hightower, as the actress had to <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/03\/house-dragon-fans-seething-humiliation-ritual-olivia-cooke-29286663\/\">act out several horrifying sexual moments<\/a>. I was among those who felt the scenes were utterly unnecessary, and agreed that they felt like a disservice to Olivia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As I watched the House of the Dragon season three finale,\u00a0being one of few journalists granted early access,\u00a0it made me realise something about the show that I didn\u2019t want to admit, but couldn\u2019t deny: I don\u2019t have anyone to root for anymore.<\/p>\n<p>I need characters to champion, to see the good in them and feel they deserve the power they\u2019re fighting for. The events of the season three finale cemented the fact that to me, none of them feel worthy to sit on the Iron Throne. It\u2019s an exasperating and sad thought.<\/p>\n<p>I have been firmly Team Black since the beginning, avowing that Rhaenyra Targaryen (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/emma-darcy\/\">Emma D\u2019Arcy<\/a>) should be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, as is her birthright and as her father King Viserys (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/08\/17\/paddy-considine-house-of-the-dragon-role-is-the-best-ive-ever-had-17192758\/\">Paddy Considine<\/a>) declared to his realm when he named her his heir.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819962-93b8.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336712\" alt=\"Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen and Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. They're in an intimate embrace\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Despite being related by blood, Daemon (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra (Emma D\u2019Arcy) are a fan-favourite couple among the House of the Dragon audience (Picture: HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tKey details on House of the Dragon\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many episodes are there of season 3?<\/h3>\n<p>There are eight episodes in House of the Dragon season 3. The first season had 10 episodes, while the second also had eight.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many seasons will there be?<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s been confirmed that House of the Dragon will end with its fourth and final season.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking in June about the decision, showrunner Ryan Condal told <a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2026\/06\/ryan-condal-house-of-the-dragon-season-4-end-hbo-projects-1236940889\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deadline<\/a>: \u2018I\u2019m an \u201call good things come to an end\u201d type person. I don\u2019t know what I will feel yet [when it finishes] because right now the show is almost like a snake eating its tail, very rarely are you doing one thing.\u2019<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will there be more Game of Thrones spin-offs?<\/h3>\n<p>Currently, the other Game of Thrones spin-off on air is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which will be returning for a second season after a critically acclaimed first outing.<\/p>\n<p>A film about Aegon\u2019s Conquest will be the first spin-off to have a theatrical release, while there are also reportedly other projects in the works, including Ten Thousand Ships, focusing on Princess Nymeria.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>However, since Rhaenyra claimed the crown this season, I haven\u2019t seen the Queen I hoped she would be. Not only did she cut herself sitting on the throne \u2013\u00a0a bad omen in the world of <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/game-of-thrones\/\">Game of Thrones<\/a> \u2013\u00a0but I don\u2019t believe her actions have lived up to her word.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There was the moment where she handed out food to the hungry smallfolk of King\u2019s Landing, after her blockade restricted their access to necessities. But otherwise, she\u2019s sown constant doubt among her Small Council, required constant reassurance from her husband Daemon (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/matt-smith\/\">Matt Smith<\/a>) and treated her <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/07\/18\/im-a-small-irish-village-manifested-worlds-biggest-tv-show-29162851\/\">newly-instated dragonriders<\/a> as second-rate citizens, despite needing them to fight her cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t forget what she\u2019s been through, after suffering the losses of her two eldest sons. Nonetheless, I don\u2019t see the fiery Rhaenyra who we met at the start of the series, the young girl destined to be Queen. In the season three finale, she announces that she\u2019s the \u2018<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2017\/07\/24\/game-of-thrones-season-7-is-daenerys-the-prince-that-was-promised-6800848\/\">prince that was promised<\/a>\u2019. While I was pleased to see her finally regain her inner self-belief, I hate to say that she\u2019s wrong, as it\u2019s too little too late. As Tywin Lannister once told Joffrey Baratheon: \u2018Any man who must say, \u201cI am the king\u201d is no true king.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819956-54dd.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336717\" alt=\"House of the Dragon (Picture: HBO)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Rhaenyra finally gains some more confidence as Queen \u2013\u00a0but can she become a ruler worthy of her realm? (Picture: HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819965-b18e.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336710\" alt=\"House of the Dragon (Picture: HBO)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) has newfound strength after his dragon Sunfyre came back to life from presumed death (Picture: HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Who else, then, merits winning this bloody war that\u2019s going to lead to the loss of all of the Targaryen dragons? There\u2019s Aegon (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/10\/28\/sas-rogue-heroes-star-tomm-glyn-carney-meets-102-year-old-war-hero-17659477\/\">Tom Glynn-Carney<\/a>), the eldest son of Alicent and Viserys, who was burnt alive by his brother Aemond (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/06\/24\/house-dragon-star-denies-aemond-targaryen-mummy-issues-21091618\/\">Ewan Mitchell<\/a>) and left for dead. The resurrection of his dragon Sunfyre in the penultimate episode of season three was spectacular, but I can\u2019t ever forget how Aegon raped a servant in season one. Not my King.<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s Aemond, who tried to kill his brother, kissed and fantasised about sleeping with his own mother and is now holed up in Harrenhal, recovering from near fatal-injuries with the help of the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Ever since he claimed the enormous dragon Vhagar as a child, he\u2019s become increasingly power-hungry and sadistic. He has an attempted redemption arc in the final episode of season three, but the damage is done.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Alicent\u2019s youngest child Daeron (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/02\/breakthrough-british-tv-star-unpacks-cast-best-video-game-character-time-29268849\/\">Benjamin Evan Ainsworth<\/a>) seems to have a good head on his shoulders, even though he\u2019s been raised by the merciless and tempestuous Ormund Hightower (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/james-norton\/\">James Norton<\/a>). In the finale, he demonstrates his strong morality once again. However, his lack of experience could be a disadvantage.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819959-0f91.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336713\" alt=\"House of the Dragon (Picture: HBO)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) has had to endure being played like a pawn by Ormund Hightower (James Norton) (Picture: Kevin Baker\/HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819957-639f.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336714\" alt=\"House of the Dragon (Picture: HBO)\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Can delicate Helaena (Phia Saban) please be left alone to live in peace? (Picture: HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Poor Helaena (Phia Saban) has been one of the only beams of light in Alicent\u2019s family, a woman of pure heart who wants to live a simple life away from conflict. Her suffering feels especially unjust, and it reaches a terrible peak that\u2019s hard to stomach.<\/p>\n<p>In the season three finale, the Battle of Tumbleton causes mass destruction. It\u2019s another epic Westerosi bloodbath, but it proves one thing \u2013\u00a0there are no winners in this war. Devastation wreaks havoc on both sides, as blood spills and innocent people get caught in the crossfire.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Maybe that\u2019s the whole point: that in this world where blood is currency and all that matters is who\u2019s going to sit on the Iron Throne, no one actually deserves it. It\u2019s all just a power grab determined by whoever can swing the biggest stick.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819964-e7bb.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29336711\" alt=\"House of the Dragon (Picture: HBO) CORLYS - ARMOUR LOOK\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Ormund Hightower (James Norton) has had a menacing presence since he joined the cast of House of the Dragon in season three (Picture: Ollie Upton\/HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tVerdict on House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p>While the finale is still a spectacle, boasting gruesome battle sequences, I can\u2019t help but feel dissatisfied with how this season ends.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Even if that\u2019s the message that was intended, it leaves me disheartened. Having watched Game of Thrones, where Daenerys Targaryen (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/emilia-clarke\/\">Emilia Clarke<\/a>) proved herself an admirable ruler (until her final season shift into the Mad Queen), and Jon Snow (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/kit-harington\/\">Kit Harington<\/a>) also showed he could take up the mantle, I need some light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say that we can\u2019t enjoy brilliant villains. Cersei Lannister (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/lena-headey\/\">Lena Headey<\/a>) was a fan favourite for a reason, and as much as we all hated Joffrey Baratheon (<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/12\/10\/game-of-thrones-jack-gleeson-says-fans-are-extra-nice-to-him-17914151\/\">Jack Gleeson<\/a>), he was fantastic on screen. But their villainy made the heroics of other characters feel that much more galvanising to witness.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not naive \u2013\u00a0we all knew going into House of the Dragon that we were in for a world of heartbreak. But that heartbreak feels dulled by the outcome of the season three finale. In the words of Bonnie Tyler, I need a hero, someone who I can root for before the bitter end.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>House of the Dragon is available to watch on <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/hbo\/\">HBO Max<\/a>, Sky and NOW.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/09\/diehard-game-thrones-fans-will-cheer-watching-mad-king-play-a-spectacle-29336338\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Diehard Game of Thrones fans will cheer watching The Mad King play \u2013 it\u2019s a spectacle<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/08\/im-real-keeley-stung-ted-lasso-cast-juno-temple-29304618\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">\u2018I\u2019m the real Keeley \u2013 it stung when Ted Lasso cast Juno Temple\u2019<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/08\/50-cents-gritty-london-thriller-might-best-tv-binge-this-august-29323325\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">50 Cent\u2019s gritty London thriller might be the best TV to binge this August<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--tv\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>TV Newsletter<\/h4>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This is a spoiler-free review for House of the Dragon\u2019s season 3 finale. I have been \u2013\u00a0and continue to be \u2013\u00a0an avid defender of House of the Dragon. There are some who knock the show down, claiming&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307819962-93b8_1786291175.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}