Episode 1 Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before the Recap
After nearly two years of waiting, House of the Dragon is finally back with an explosive first episode that truly kicks off the Targaryen civil war. Titled “Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood”, this first episode of Season 3 aired on June 21, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. Written by Ryan Condal and directed by Loni Peristere, it runs for 66 minutes and adapts one of the most iconic events from Fire & Blood: the Battle of the Gullet.
The official synopsis sets the tone right away: buoyed by her continued trust in Alicent Hightower, Rhaenyra Targaryen prepares her offensive against King’s Landing, while the Triarchy’s fleet sets sail for the Gullet to confront Corlys Velaryon. What was supposed to be a simple military operation quickly turns into a battle of unprecedented scale, where dragons, ships, and armies clash in one of the series’ most spectacular battles.
The main cast remains the same as in previous seasons, with Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen, Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen, and Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen. This new season also welcomes several notable new faces, including James Norton as Ormund Hightower, Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin, Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly, and Tom Cullen as Luthor Largent.
As soon as it aired, the episode was widely praised by viewers. It has a rating of 9.3/10 on IMDb, making it one of the highest-rated episodes in the entire series. On the critical front, Season 3 debuts with a 91% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, confirming a very positive reception from the specialized press.
Viewership is also strong. According to initial figures released by HBO, Season 3 drew 21.5 million viewers in the three days following its premiere, representing a slight drop of about 8% compared to the Season 2 premiere.
Unanimous critical acclaim: a spectacular return for *House of the Dragon*
After a Season 2 that divided some viewers due to its slower pace and a conclusion deemed frustrating, House of the Dragon Season 3 seems to have won over the vast majority of critics right from its premiere. The first reviews published by the specialized press hail the series’ strong comeback, which finally does justice to the scale of the Dance of the Dragons and delivers the spectacle fans have been waiting for for several years. Early professional reviews have given the season an excellent score on Rotten Tomatoes, evidence of a very favorable reception from the press.
One of the elements most frequently highlighted is the pacing. Whereas the second season took its time setting up its various storylines, this first episode immediately gets to the heart of the matter with the Battle of the Gullet, one of the most famous battles in Fire & Blood. Several media outlets consider this opening to be the most explosive of any season set in Westeros, recapturing the epic scope that made the best moments of Game of Thrones so successful.
Critics also praise HBO’s visual ambition. The aerial scenes featuring dragons, naval battles, and special effects are regularly described as “cinematic.” Some journalists even go so far as to say that this battle rivals many recent Hollywood blockbusters. Loni Peristere’s direction is particularly praised for its ability to make the battles easy to follow despite their scale, while maintaining a strong emotional impact.
The actors’ performances are another widely highlighted strength. Emma D’Arcy is once again the focus of praise for her portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Critics laud her ability to convey the weight of power, grief, and the queen’s determination without ever overdoing it. Several media outlets are already suggesting that this performance could earn her another nomination at major award ceremonies.
As for the other characters, Harry Collett impresses in the role of Jacaerys Velaryon. Despite relatively limited screen time, his performance is considered one of the episode’s most memorable, particularly during the Battle of the Gullet scenes. Critics also highlight the work of Steve Toussaint, who remains as convincing as ever as Corlys Velaryon, as well as that of Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell, whose characters, Baela and Rhaena, are finally taking on greater importance within the narrative.
The new cast members have also received a very positive reception. James Norton, who plays Ormund Hightower, is frequently cited as one of the breakout stars of this third season. Several critics believe that his arrival brings a new dynamic to the Green camp and further enriches the political stakes of the conflict.
Beyond the action, many journalists appreciate that the series retains its identity. Despite more battles and a faster pace, House of the Dragon continues to place significant emphasis on dialogue, military strategy, and the psychological consequences of war. For many media outlets, this balance between spectacle and character development allows the series to recapture what made the early seasons of Game of Thrones so strong.
Finally, several critics believe that this third season addresses the main weaknesses of the previous one. The storylines move more quickly, the stakes are clearer, and the major events of Fire & Blood unfold more seamlessly. For many, this first episode finally gives the impression that the Dance of the Dragons is in full swing and that the series has found its true stride. Some even go so far as to call this season the best adaptation of the universe created by George R. R. Martin since the end of Game of Thrones.
Fan Reviews: Why the Episode Has Divided Part of the Community
Despite its excellent overall reception, the first episode of Season 3 hasn’t won over all fans, particularly readers of Fire & Blood. Discussions on Reddit show that the criticism focuses much less on the episode’s visual quality than on HBO’s storytelling choices.
The most common complaint concerns the death of Jacaerys Velaryon. Many viewers feel that the character had finally become interesting… just before being killed off. After two seasons in which Jace had remained relatively in the background, fans were hoping to see him develop into a true military leader. Instead, he dies in the very first episode, leaving a sense of unfinished business. Several comments sum up this frustration by explaining that “Jace deserved at least one more half-season.”
The circumstances of his death are also heavily criticized. In discussions, many viewers feel that HBO turned a tragic event into a series of poor decisions. Jace chooses to go into battle almost alone, Rhaena pursues Sheepstealer at the worst possible moment, and the battle seems to hinge more on individual mistakes than on the natural chaos of war. Several fans sum up the scene with a phrase that has become popular: “Jace died because everyone made the worst possible decision.” ”
The removal of Nettles is probably the most controversial decision. As soon as the episode aired, viewers realized that Rhaena had definitively taken over Sheepstealer’s storyline. For many, this change strips away everything that made Nettles unique. In the book, she is a simple young girl who tames a dragon without being a Targaryen princess. Her existence challenges the myth that only Valyrian blood allows one to ride a dragon. Comments criticize the simplification of the story and lament that HBO has removed one of the most original characters from Fire & Blood.
Fans also criticize the series for continuing to portray Rhaenyra as an almost flawless character. Several readers point out that, in the book, she gradually becomes harsher, more paranoid, and far more ruthless. In the series, they believe HBO constantly tries to make her likable, even if it means altering certain events or shifting the blame for questionable decisions onto other characters. This criticism comes up regularly in discussions about the episode.
Another point often raised: several characters seem to have been completely forgotten. Rhaenyra’s children, though central to Fire & Blood, are barely seen. Some viewers even say they’ve forgotten that Joffrey, Aegon the Younger, or Viserys even exist, given how little attention the series pays to them. For readers, this absence weakens the emotional impact of future events.
Finally, some fans feel that the Battle of the Gullet is at times difficult to follow. Although the spectacle is universally praised, several comments express regret that it’s hard to tell exactly where the dragons, ships, and various protagonists are during certain sequences. Others feel that the pursuit of the Sheepstealer slows down the pace of the battle and distracts from a clash that deserved to be portrayed more clearly. Some even go so far as to call this subplot a “pointless distraction” in the midst of the greatest naval battle of the Dance of Dragons.
Despite this criticism, a majority of fans acknowledge that the episode is an excellent season opener. The debates center mainly on the liberties taken with the book and certain writing choices, rather than on the direction or the actors’ performances. In other words, it’s not the quality of the episode that’s dividing the community, but its fidelity to George R. R. Martin’s work.
My personal take on Episode 1 of Season 3 of *House of the Dragon*
How can I put this… I feel… both happy and disappointed at the same time. Unlike many of the so-called critics, I’ve fully accepted that the series has decided to branch out from the books. I don’t see this as a problem as long as the series remains consistent with the narrative it’s building.
I was obviously very happy to see dragons, fire, and action again! And as for me, I was on vacation at Puy du Fou when the episode came out; I watched it with my mom on Monday night, and it was, in my opinion, the best place to watch a fantasy series!
I’ve read the books, so I knew about Jace and Vermax’s deaths, but it’s still a tough moment and very well staged.
What disappointed me the most was the absence of Vermithor, Silverwing, and Seasmoke at the Battle of Gosier. Not because I’m sticking to the book, but just because Vermithor is my favorite and I wanted to see him burn that pirate XD
On the other hand, I really appreciated how Rhaenna and Sheepstealer were portrayed! The idea that she can’t control him as she’d like makes his behavior more realistic. He’s a dragon who doesn’t know war, who doesn’t know his allies, who’s surely afraid, and who didn’t grow up with his rider. It just goes to show that being born a Targaryen isn’t everything! And what can I say about the dragon’s incredible design!
