Warning: Spoilers ahead for the Season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon.‘House of the Dragon’ is back with a fiery and action-packed Season 3 premiere on Monday, June 22 (IST). After waiting for fans for two years, the series served up dragon battles, political betrayals, devastating defeats and a controversial incestual scene that quickly became the most talked about moment on social media.The highly anticipated Season 3 kicks off the Targaryen civil war in full gear, with the Greens and the Blacks finally clashing on land, air and sea and featuring some surprising character developments that instantly set the internet on fire.
Prince Jacaerys met his end
Among the episode’s most heartbreaking moments was the death of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, whose fate left viewers heartbroken. The last stand of the young prince quickly became one of the most discussed scenes of the episode, with fans preparing for a long time ahead, which began not only with the death of the heir to the throne, but also with the death of his dragon.“The fact that Lucerys and Jacaerys died on their dragons like the Targaryens and were buried in the sea like the Velaryons…” wrote one viewer.Another fan admitted, “the way I screamed when the first arrow hit him even though I knew it was coming…oh jace.”Others were more emotional about the circumstances surrounding his final moments, with one post reading, “JACE SACRIFICES HIMSELF FOR BAELA CRYING.”
Aemond and Alicent’s KISS surprised fans
While Jacaerys’ death dominated most of the conversation, another scene shocked viewers for a different reason. During a tense interaction between Aemond Targaryen and his mother Alicent Hightower, the acting king, unexpectedly kissed him on the lips. Aside from the character reacting in shock, many viewers were stunned and expressed their discomfort at the scene.“I had to rewind three times because there was no way I was witnessing that with my eyes. Dragon House keeps finding new ways to keep me speechless,” one fan wrote.Actress Olivia Cooke, who portrays Alicent, talks about the moment and its impact on her character. “I think Alicent always thought there was something more sinister in the feelings Aemond had for his mother, but never thought it would show.Ewan Mitchell, who plays Aemond, also weighed in on the prince’s complex emotions. He said, “Maybe a bit of an Oedipus complex. Aemond has a very skewered view of what love is, lacking it when he grew up. And so he does not particularly how to show it.”
The North remembers
The episode also provides a big boost for Team Black with the long-awaited arrival of northern reinforcements. Roderick Dustin and the Winter Wolves finally make their debut, bringing the North’s support to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s cause.The arrival of the Starks’ allies was enthusiastically welcomed by fans, many of whom have been waiting to see the northern warriors enter the conflict since the series began with the adaptation of George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood.
A bloody start to Season 3
With key characters falling in battle and alliances shifting in Westeros, Season 3 officially sets the ball in motion for the deadliest Dance of Dragons yet. The trailer for episode 2 has also been posted online, giving fans a tease of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s wrath as she vows to ‘devour’ her enemies.
