Driven by her faith in Alicent, Rhaenyra positions herself to take King’s Landing while the Triarchy sails to take on Corlys in the Gullet.

The Dance of the Dragons Rages

Season Two ended on a staggering cliffhanger, with war finally ready to ravage the Seven Kingdoms as the Greens and the Blacks vied for ultimate supremacy. Episode One wastes no time picking up from that tantalising finale. War has arrived in Westeros, and only bloodshed will suffice.

Condal and director Loni Peristere lead audiences directly into the flames, but they do so with remarkable restraint. While war looms on every horizon, they refuse to rush the story forward. Instead, they patiently position every piece on the board, building tension with deliberate precision. The result is an episode brimming with suspense, anguish, shock and anticipation, all of which combine to create what may be the most memorable season opener the series has delivered thus far.

A Kingdom Splintering From Within

Balancing multiple narrative threads and shifting points of view, ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ thrives on dramatic tension. Audiences will find themselves watching with bated breath as every faction edges closer to catastrophe.

The episode opens with Phoebe Campbell’s Lady Rhaena Targaryen finally claiming a dragon of her own in the fearsome Sheepstealer, and from there the tension only escalates. King Aegon II Targaryen’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) escape from King’s Landing alongside the slippery and manipulative Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) has left the Greens facing a dangerous power vacuum. One that the cunning and brutal Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is all too eager to fill.

His sudden claim over the Iron Throne completely derails Queen Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) hopes of negotiating peace with Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and the fragile prospect of reconciliation quickly burns away.

Away from the chaos of King’s Landing, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) wages war at the Red Fork, putting the Lannister host to the sword, while Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) and Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) continue their relentless campaign through the Riverlands.

A growing sense of unease permeates every frame of ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’. As blood is spilled and battle lines harden, both the Greens and the Blacks begin to fracture under the weight of their ambitions. This instability keeps audiences constantly off-balance. Just when you think you understand where the story is heading, Condal and Peristere pull the rug out from underneath you.

New Players Enter The Game

‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ also serves as an impressive introduction to several key new players who immediately leave their mark on the conflict.

Chief among them is Lord Ormund Hightower, ruler of Oldtown and one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Portrayed with commanding presence by James Norton, Ormund arrives ready to unleash the full might of House Hightower against the Blacks. Wealthy, intelligent and dangerously ambitious, Norton plays him as a volatile strategist whose charisma is matched only by his callous ruthlessness and opulent narcissim.

Equally memorable is Tommy Flanagan’s introduction as Roderick Dustin, better known as Roddy the Ruin. The Lord of Barrowton and commander of the Winter Wolves arrives as a ferocious northern warrior determined to spend his remaining days fighting and dying in service to Queen Rhaenyra. Flanagan brings immense presence to the role, immediately establishing Roddy as a fan favourite.

Family, Fury And Uncomfortable Truths

Among the many escalating tensions of ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’, some of the most compelling arise from the fractured family dynamics at the heart of the story.

Ewan Mitchell’s vindictive and power-hungry Aemond Targaryen now sits firmly in control of King’s Landing, and his increasingly volatile behaviour leads to a heated confrontation with Alicent. What follows delivers one of the episode’s most shocking moments between the two of them, revealing a deeply unsettling side of Aemond that will leave audiences recoiling.

Counterbalancing this is Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), whose own rebellious streak places him at odds with Queen Rhaenyra. Their confrontation sparks a major revelation and sets in motion consequences that will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the season.

The Battle Of The Gullet Arrives In Spectacular Fashion

Everything in ‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ ultimately builds towards the long-awaited Battle of the Gullet, one of the most famous conflicts in Westerosi history.

The battle sees Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), the legendary Sea Snake, locked in a brutal naval conflict with the ruthless Admiral Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn). The result is a staggering piece of television spectacle that ranks among the most ambitious action sequences ever attempted within the Game of Thrones franchise.

Spanning nearly thirty minutes, the battle is a breathtaking display of chaos and carnage. Blood mixes with seawater, ships splinter apart, and bodies crash across burning decks as Corlys and Lohar wage war with relentless fury. Toussaint and Thorn are exceptional throughout, delivering commanding performances amid the destruction.

Add dragonfire, shocking twists and devastating losses into the mix, and the Battle of the Gullet becomes an unforgettable centrepiece that will leave audiences utterly exhilarated.

Verdict: Fire and Blood Reigns

‘Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood’ is a thunderous opening salvo for Season Three of House of the Dragon. Running just over 72 minutes, it feels less like a television episode and more like a major event. By the time the smoke clears and the fires begin to fade, the true cost of this war is finally revealed.

And in the battle for fire and blood, no one is spared.

House of the Dragon is now streaming on HBO MAX.

Image: HBO MAX.

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With the Blacks and Greens now locked in a brutal struggle for power, the battle for the Iron Throne is set to consume the Seven Kingdoms in a devastating conflict that promises fire, blood, and unimaginable consequences. Season Three is shaping up to be the most ambitious chapter yet, plunging audiences deeper into the political intrigue, shifting alliances, and all-out warfare that define George R.R. Martin’s richly imagined world.

The arrival of the new season also coincides with the launch of HBO Max in New Zealand, a milestone made even more exciting by the arrival of House of the Dragon star Steve Toussaint. Best known for his commanding performance as Lord Corlys Velaryon, the legendary Sea Snake and Lord of the Tides, Toussaint journeyed to Auckland to help celebrate the launch, bringing a touch of Westeros to Kiwi shores.

We were fortunate enough to sit down with Steve to discuss everything that awaits fans in Season Three, and the result was a fascinating conversation packed with insight, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the craft of storytelling.

Check out our full interview below:

During our discussion, Steve reflected on the immense scale of the upcoming season, including the much-anticipated Battle of the Gullet, one of the most significant events in the lore of Westeros. From the physical preparation required to bring such a monumental conflict to life, to the extraordinary level of detail that goes into the series’ world-building, Steve offered a compelling look behind the curtain of one of television’s most ambitious productions.
The conversation also explored the enduring appeal of fantasy storytelling, the responsibility of portraying a character as beloved and formidable as Corlys Velaryon, and the values embodied by House Velaryon and its proud words: “The Old, the True, the Brave.”

Throughout it all, Steve proved himself every bit as engaging off-screen as he is on it, offering thoughtful reflections on the series, the character, and the creative process that has helped make House of the Dragon a global phenomenon.

The launch of HBO Max in New Zealand marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for local audiences, bringing with it an extraordinary catalogue of premium entertainment led by the return of one of television’s most talked-about series.

House of the Dragon Season Three premieres on HBO Max on Monday, 22 June, promising breathtaking spectacle, ruthless political manoeuvring, devastating conflict, and enough fire and blood to satisfy even the most devoted fans of Westeros.

Winter has already come to Aotearoa New Zealand, but the Dance of the Dragons is about to ignite in spectacular fashion.

Learn more about HBO MAX here.

Image: HBO MAX

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HBO Max has officially launched in New Zealand, opening the doors to one of the most celebrated libraries of film and television ever assembled. From the blood-soaked battlefields of Westeros to the halls of Hogwarts, and from award-winning prestige dramas to blockbuster cinematic spectacles, Kiwi audiences now have a new streaming destination to call home.

The launch comes at a particularly exciting time for fans, with HBO Max becoming the exclusive New Zealand home of some of the world’s most talked-about entertainment. Leading the charge is the highly anticipated third season of House of the Dragon, which premieres on Monday, June 22, day-and-date with its United States debut.

To mark the occasion, Steve Toussaint, the actor behind the legendary Lord Corlys Velaryon, arrived in Auckland to help celebrate the launch, bringing a touch of Westeros to New Zealand ahead of the series’ return.

A Library Built on Prestige

For years, HBO has been synonymous with groundbreaking television, and HBO Max brings together decades of acclaimed storytelling under one roof.

Subscribers can dive into iconic HBO Originals including The Last of Us, Succession, The White Lotus, Euphoria, The Sopranos, The Wire, and True Detective, alongside acclaimed Max Originals such as The Pitt and And Just Like That….

Fantasy fans are particularly well served, with Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms all available within the expanding HBO universe.

Blockbuster Entertainment at Scale

Beyond television, HBO Max arrives with an impressive catalogue of Warner Bros. films and beloved franchises.
Subscribers can explore everything from Oscar-winning cinema to major blockbuster releases, while fan-favourite franchises including Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and DC’s expanding universe of heroes and villains provide countless hours of entertainment.

Classic comfort viewing is also firmly on the menu, with favourites such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty joining the service from day one.

A Massive 2026 Ahead

If the launch library wasn’t enough, HBO Max has already unveiled an ambitious slate for the remainder of 2026.

Upcoming releases include the DC Studios series Lanterns, the comedy spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Sharon Horgan’s Youth, and the fourth season of The Gilded Age.

But perhaps the most anticipated project of all is HBO’s new television adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which is set to debut this Christmas and promises to usher in a bold new chapter for the Wizarding World.

Streaming for Kiwi Audiences

Warner Bros. Discovery says New Zealand audiences have long embraced HBO and Warner Bros. content, making the launch a natural next step for the company.

Available across smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, HBO Max launches with both Standard and Premium subscription tiers, giving viewers access to ad-free entertainment, offline downloads, and high-quality streaming options.

• Standard Plan:  Launch price offer of $10.99 per month for the first six months, or $109.99 for the first year.
• Premium Plan: Launch price offer of $15.99 per month for the first six months, or $159.99 for the first year.

With dragons taking flight once again, Hogwarts preparing to reopen its gates, and a deep catalogue of acclaimed entertainment ready to explore, HBO Max has arrived in New Zealand with a clear message: the next great binge-watch starts now.

Image: HBO MAX

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