Fans rave over ‘greatest scene in the history of House of the Dragon’ after insane finale

| TV Reporter Published August 10, 2026 12:32pm Updated August 10, 2026 12:35pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video *Warning: This article contains spoilers.* House of the Dragon season three came to an epic end with the finale on Sunday night. The HBO show closed with a dramatic battle, a grand bloodbath and ‘the greatest scene in the history of House of the Dragon’, according to one user on X. After a mixed reaction to season three of the Game of Thrones (GoT) spin-off, the final episode has drawn comparisons with the legendary series. @ASOIAFQuotesGOT said it ‘successfully captures that Game of Thrones magic of old’, while Tarun Raju said, like the iconic show, it had ‘a lot of expectation-subversion for book-readers’. Predictably, we lost important characters in the season close. Another large clash ensued with the second Battle of Tumbleton after Daemon met with Riverlanders and Northmen to attack the market town. Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flanagan) prepares for the big battle (Picture: HBO) James Norton, as Lord Ormund Hightower, joined the show in season 3 (Picture: Ollie Upton/HBO) During the big fight, casualties were aplenty as viewers bade farewell to James Norton as Lord Ormund Hightower. Another huge loss occurred with the death of Helaena Targaryen, played by Phia Saban. She killed herself after falling into a deep depression over being kept apart from her remaining child, Jaehaera, in King’s Landing. The moment that Rhaenyra and Alicent realise that she’s dead is the scene that Zaid on X claimed was ‘the greatest’ in the history of the show. George Holdcroft disagreed – he claimed: ‘The scene right before this with Roderick Dustin and Ormund Hightower in battle was even better.’ Others felt that the final episode didn’t deliver as it should have. House of the Dragon’s season 3 finale has been compared to Game of Thrones (Picture: HBO) Mdrgm on Reddit called it ‘a terrible finale for an already weak season’. He remarked: ‘This was a disastrous season finale that did absolutely nothing to compensate for an already weak season. There was nothing unexpected, nothing shocking, and not even a genuine surprise. What did Metro's TV editor Sabrina Barr think ofthe final? Sabrina Barr, Metro’s TV editor, watched the finale ahead of everybody else and gave it three stars. She said: ‘As I watched the House of the Dragon season three finale, being one of few journalists granted early access, it made me realise something about the show that I didn’t want to admit, but couldn’t deny: I don’t have anyone to root for anymore. ‘I need characters to champion, to see the good in them and feel they deserve the power they’re fighting for. The events of the season three finale cemented the fact that to me, none of them feel worthy to sit on the Iron Throne. It’s an exasperating and sad thought.’ Helaena Targaryen took control of her own fate in the last episode (Picture: HBO) ‘As an episode in the middle of the season, this could have worked. As a season finale, especially after everything we’ve been given this season, it was terrible.’ In response, SpittinMenace said: ‘I didn’t like what they did with a few storylines and characters but it definitely had a stronger ending than season two.’ The second season of the GoT prequel was criticised for its pacing and character development, with some calling it ‘boring’. House of the Dragon is expected to return in 2028 for its fourth and final season. House of the Dragon season three is available to watch on HBO Max, Sky and NOW. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Arrow MORE: George RR Martin reveals depression struggle during hiatus: ‘The worst may be yet to come’ Arrow MORE: Breakthrough British TV star, 17, admits playing Link in live-action Zelda film is ‘daunting’ Arrow MORE: House of the Dragon accused of ‘wasting’ major actor killed off after 4 episodes TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.