IR TV Review: HOUSE OF THE DRAGON - EPISODE 3 [HBO-S3]

After claiming the Iron Throne at the end of Episode 2, one could understand how many different strands around Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) could make the progression less than amiable. As Queen, she is trying to do well and be the ruler her father hoped she would be but as Allicent (Olivia Cooke) puts very well at one point: he created the world but they have to function in it. Rhaenyra is an empathetic character. She wants to be benevolent but her station of responsibilities (and the whispers of Dameon played by Matt Smith) make this possibility less than doable. Balance that with the certain necessities of coronation and loose ends and the tension keeps mounting up. The episode does well to show Rhaenyra’s frustration especially with former king/half brother Eragorn and his pauper aide seem to have run off with the money.

Rhaenyra's naval chief who won the sea battle with his two unclaimed sons now pushes her on recognition. But what is quite interesting is that we are aware of much more information than him and why she cannot grant his wish. Rhaenyra also makes a specific power move against the nobles in trying to win over the people at Hightower only to see sieges coming from elsewhere. The pirates that she hoped to keep at bay are now pushing for ransoms that she simply can’t pay. This of course seems like it will build up into a battle of subjugations. Daemon pushes her to take on farther away lands to secure riches for their coffers but it is simply one war to feed another…and things will fall through the cracks. Allicent can see it. The question is Rhaenyra sly enough to overcome the hammer to fall? B

By Tim Wassberg