Winter be Bingeing 26' - House of the Dragon - Season Three

House of the Dragon is an American fantasy drama television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. 

A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is the second television series in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. Based on parts of Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. 

Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons".

House of the Dragon was renewed for a third season in June 2024, which premiered late June. Season three consisted of eight episodes. Each of approximately one hour. The season covers the events of the book Fire & Blood, a prequel novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. 

A fourth and final season is in development and expected to be released in 2028.

The season follows in the aftermath of the second season's final episodes, in which the war known as the "Dance of Dragons" between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen continues, causing House Targaryen to become further divided. 

Aegon is supported by the Green Council and his mother Alicent Hightower, while Rhaenyra is supported by the Black Council and her husband and uncle Daemon Targaryen, both sides seeking allies from the great houses of Westeros and fighting for the support of their armies to claim their rightful positions to the Iron Throne.

So how'd it all go down on Monday? Spoilers below. Up next on HBO, Lanterns. We return back to DC comic land.

After learning Aegon survived, Rhaenyra becomes more ruthless. She detains Baela, dismisses Mysaria, and has a despondent Helaena force-fed. She later has Alyn kill the High Septon after he refuses to anoint her. Rhaenyra tells the smallfolk of Aegon the Conqueror's dream, stating that she is prophesied to rule. 

Alys informs Aemond that she became cursed with immortality after failing to save her dying son with magic. Aegon asks a remorseful Aemond to help retake the Iron Throne once they find Vhagar. With the Tully army outside Tumbleton, Ormund lines the ramparts with children to dissuade Daemon from using Caraxes. Daeron has Gwayne free Corlys and negotiate with Daemon to divide the realm, but Daemon refuses. Both sides search for Ulf. 

Ormund finds him hungover and beats him. Roderick's Winter Wolves scale Tumbleton's walls while Caraxes destroys the main gate. Ulf mounts Silverwing and attacks the Tully forces. He then burns Tumbleton, killing Ormund and Roderick while they fight. Jon duels Daemon, but Ulf's attack interrupts them. 

Corlys convinces Daemon to retreat. Gwayne cannot find Daeron. Hugh finds Kat dead. Rhaenyra learns that Helaena jumped from a window to her death, leaving embroidery showing Rhaenyra bleeding on the Iron Throne.

With all the special effects, dragons breathing fire and killing multiple extras, season three is done and a bit dusted.

This is the second Game of Thrones series to air in 2026. The battle scenes were epic, the people are loving it. Bring on the fourth and final season in 2028.