The stage has been set for a record-setting return for House of the Dragon season 3 on HBO.

Arriving nearly two years after House of the Dragon season 2’s ending in 2024, season 3’s eight-episode arc finally arrives on Sunday, June 21 on HBO and HBO Max. While the conflicts had been gradually escalating throughout season 2, House of the Dragon season 3 will see the realm break into all-out war and devastating blows as the Dance of the Dragons reaches critical points. Though the season 2 finale divided audiences, season 3’s early reviews are lauding it a return to form for the Game of Thrones franchise as it reaches a new epic scale.

Ahead of the premiere this Sunday, House of the Dragon season 3 has debuted to an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 21 reviews from critics so far. However, this score may fluctuate as more reviews continue to roll in before and after the release of episode 1, with this batch of reviews also only being based on the first four episodes of season 3. A Rotten Tomatoes audience score will not be available until after season 3 is released.

At a perfect 100% rating, House of the Dragon season 3 currently holds the record for the highest score of any outing from the prequel series thus far. Season 1 boasts a “Certified Fresh” 90% rating, while season 2 dipped slightly with a “Certified Fresh” 84% score from critics.

Meanwhile, it now stands as the highest-rated season of any series in the Game of Thrones franchise, with the highest-rated outings of the original TV show being seasons 2 and 4 with 97% scores. House of the Dragon season 3 also surpasses the acclaim of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 from earlier this year, which boasts a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reviews for House of the Dragon season 3 are praising its gritty action and scale, pacing and momentum, character development, and emotional depth as the tides continue to change. Many reviews have also singled out the strong performances of Rhaenyra Targaryen actor Emma D’Arcy and new House of the Dragon cast member James Norton as Ormund Hightower among the upcoming episodes’ highlights, providing rich character explorations as the stakes reach their highest point yet.

ScreenRant‘s House of the Dragon season 3 review from Angel Shaw applauded the improved pacing of the story and D’Arcy’s thrilling and emotional turn as Rhaenyra Targaryen as the queen takes on a more active role than in previous seasons. However, the review notes that the weaker points of the season come from its changes from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood novel, with certain departures from the source material also notably creating a rift between Martin and showrunner Ryan Condal.

In an era that follows widespread backlash against the franchise for its final season in 2019, House of the Dragon season 3 currently marks the franchise’s most highly-acclaimed entry since Game of Thrones season 4 in 2014. With House of the Dragon season 4 officially renewed and slated for a 2028 release while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is gearing up for a 2027 premiere, the impressive critical response to season 3 is the exact boost the franchise needs as it prepares to expand and grow and even further beyond the original A Song of Ice and Fire story.

Source:  https://screenrant.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-3-rotten-tomatoes-score-debut/