I'm All For This House Of The Dragon Season 3 Theory That Makes A Smart Change To A Big Battle & Brutal Rhaenyra Betrayal

Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2's finale and MASSIVE SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the show's source material.

House of the Dragonseason 2 planted the seeds for a major book change, and even though there have been a number of controversial story alterations, this is one I'm in favor of. As much as I enjoyed House of the Dragon season 2 at times, I can undoubtedly see why fans were upset with a number of the choices made in the adaptation. The show's depiction of Blood & Cheese was a tough way to start and one that might create subsequent problems that damage the narrative. That said, season 2 developed future changes that I'm excited about.

House of the Dragon is based on Fire & Blood, a companion book to George R.R. Martin's prolific A Song of Ice & Fire novels. These are some of my favorite books of all time, and while I love the source material, I also understand the need to make adjustments for television. Especially with a book like Fire & Blood and with the limitations of budget, I'm trying to be lenient and encouraging of the benefits that can come from change. Consider Viserys Targaryen in season 1 as an exemplary positive change.

House Of The Dragon Season 3 Will Likely Include The Battle Of Tumbleton

The First Battle Of Tumbleton Is Highly Anticipated

The First Battle of Tumbleton is one of the many battles foreshadowed in House of the Dragon season 2, and one that could potentially sneak its way into the end of season 3. In the books, this is the battle that sees Rhaenyra betrayed by Ulf and Hugh, who are henceforth appropriately named the "Two Betrayers." This is one of the many significant turning points in the Dance of the Dragons, especially after season 2's ending demonstrated Rhaenyra having an enormous advantage over Aegon II.

Ulf and Hugh have sworn their allegiance to Rhaenyra, but power and decency have the capacity to soar out of the window when someone controls a massive, flying, fire-breathing beast.

Rhaenyra has all the power right now, but power always fluctuates in the world of Game of Thrones. Rhaenyra will experience trouble once she gets to King's Landing, including conflicts created by her new dragonriders. Ulf and Hugh have sworn their allegiance to Rhaenyra, but power and decency have the capacity to soar out of the window when someone controls a massive, flying, fire-breathing beast. In Fire & Blood, they experience some disagreement with Rhaenyra over the proper compensation for their efforts, demanding Highgarden.

House Of The Dragon Has Set Up A Key Change To Hugh The Hammer's Betrayal

Hugh's Wife Will Be A Factor At Tumbleton

Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) and his family trying to scape Kingslanding in House of the dragon Season 2 episode 5

Hugh is a compelling character in House of the Dragon season 2, mostly because it's difficult to imagine him becoming the man who would betray Rhaenyra. He's one of the most hated characters in the books, but he seems genuinely likable and even noble in the show. While Ulf seems like a Bronn-like character who would demand Highgarden and betray his friends and companions if he doesn't get it, Hugh doesn't. Something else would have to give in order to make Hugh flip, and the TV show planted the perfect seed.

Rhaenyra and dragons battling from House of the Dragon season 2

5 Major Character Deaths To Expect In House Of The Dragon Season 3

House of the Dragon season 3 will continue in Game of Thrones tradition and be packed with deaths. Here are five that are almost guaranteed.

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House of the Dragon season 2 teased a connection between Hugh's wife and Tumbleton on multiple occasions, assuming she'll be there during the battle. If Hugh's wife were to be accidentally killed by Rhaenyra's careless forces, it could be the catalyst that makes him rampage the town. From that point on, he'd really have no choice but to remain with the Greens or to try to forge his own path to the Iron Throne.

House Of The Dragon Season 3's Change Can Make Hugh's Betrayal Even Better

Hugh Has The Potential To Be Even More Defined In The TV Series

Hugh Hammer, Aegon, and Ulf White in House of the Dragon

Vermithor is an enormous dragon, instantly making Hugh one of the most powerful men in Westeros. The additional power already seems to have gone to Ulf's head, but it will be curious to see how Hugh changes over time in response to these developments. Watching his character evolve could be one of the unexpected delights of seasons 3 & 4, especially if we're to expect a massive turning point at the Battle of Tumbleton. It could almost feel like a more-earned version of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones' penultimate episode, "The Bells."

Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen

It Sounds Like House Of The Dragon Season 3 Will Be Worth The Wait After Controversial Season 2 Ending

There will be another frustrating gap between House of the Dragon season 2 and season 3, but it sounds like the latter will be worth the wait.

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Watching a character like Hugh, who was forced to watch his daughter die due to means far out of his control, totally snap after also losing his wife, would be excellent. I brought up Viserys Targaryen because the House of the Dragon writers have proven they know how to add layers to a character. We have an outline of Hugh from Fire & Blood, but House of the Dragon can show the inner workings of what makes a man like that make the choices he does, which will ultimately be more compelling.