THE FUSE

House of the Dragon has returned with a season three premiere that was emotionally devastating in the way audiences have come to expect from the Game of Thrones prequel series. The episode was stuffed with ugly reminders that war is hell and that those least able to understand war’s brutal costs are the ones most likely to be consumed by it. But while the premiere’s action scenes can stand alongside the best in the franchise, other parts fell flat, particularly one moment with Queen Rhaenyra that I don’t think I can ever forgive.