House of the Dragon Review: Season 3 Fights Against the Tide of an Unwanted War

Perched on a desolate beach, strewn with wood from broken ships and scarred by the lingering embers of a raging fire, a survivor of what will become the bloodiest naval battle in Westeros' history reflects on the conflict they've just witnessed. "If this be victory," he laments, "I hope I never see another." This sentiment echoes through the Targaryen dynasty, casting a shadow over the family crest and undermining their pursuit of victory.

Many of the key players are grappling with an existential crisis, torn between their past actions and their current circumstances. This atmosphere of self-doubt pervades Season 3, as the cycle of vengeance threatens to spiral out of control. Rather than simply asking what they've done, the characters are now unsure about what they're doing. This is a morally significant stance for the showrunners to take, particularly in light of past controversies over rape and incest. By addressing these issues without sensationalizing them, the series demonstrates a commitment to creating a more nuanced and thought-provoking narrative.

Despite the pervasiveness of best-laid plans gone awry, the war itself is a joyless exercise that fails to generate much enthusiasm or investment. The battles that unfold are brutal and intense, but they lack a clear sense of purpose or consequence. This is particularly evident in the way that characters who pursue their goals with unambiguous malice are often the only ones to exhibit any sense of enthusiasm or conviction. For the most part, the characters are stuck in a vicious cycle of vengeance and regret, unsure of what they're fighting for or what they hope to achieve.

As the series hurtles towards its conclusion, it becomes increasingly apparent that the biggest questions surrounding House of the Dragon's finale are not how it will end but what will be left when it does. The show's creative team is constrained by the fates of its source material, and the story remains firmly rooted in the world of Westeros. While there have been some thrills and notable visual effects, the series has struggled to innovate or add anything truly original to the narrative. Regret may be a fitting takeaway from a war that leaves its participants worse off than they were at the start, but it's also an oversimplification of the epic tale that House of the Dragon strives to be.

In the end, it's the characters and their relationships that provide the most compelling aspects of the show. Alicent, in particular, faces a series of challenging and unexpected confrontations, including a poignant reunion with her family. The interactions between Daemon and Rhaenyra remain a highlight of the series, and their complicated dynamic continues to drive the plot forward. Ser Criston Cole remains a cipher, but his nihilism gains relevance as the series grapples with the costs of war and the consequences of violence.