The House of the Dragon Season 3 finale dropped this past Sunday, and if you haven’t seen The Battle of Tumbleton yet, you’re seriously missing out on one of the most brutal clashes we’ve seen on TV. After a season that most folks would agree was a little disappointing in Season 2, showrunner Ryan Condal pulled no punches, delivering an epic battle that makes you forget all about the civil war’s earlier lukewarm moments. This wasn’t just a fight; it was a pivotal point for the entire “Game of Thrones-verse” and it hit harder than a Cal Raleigh moonshot.
The Battle of Tumbleton Was an Absolute Banger
Seriously, Jay and Steve were on fire about this one, and they nailed it. Condal clearly learned his lesson from not having a big, decisive battle to end Season 2. Tumbleton was executed perfectly, from the absolute gore and action to the tiny details that weren’t even in the original “Fire and Blood” books. We got to see characters who barely got a mention in the novel, like Ormund Hightower, fleshed out in ways that just added to the whole gritty vibe. And Ormund using kids as human shields? That was exactly the kind of move you’d expect from him, and it’s gonna create a whole new mountain of problems for Rhaenyra when Season 4 rolls around. It’s the kind of play that shifts the momentum, and you gotta wonder how Rhaenyra’s side recovers from that kind of villainy.
Roderick Dustin and Ormund Hightower: A Clash of Titans
Tommy Flanagan, man. What a presence he brought as Roderick Dustin, or Roddy the Ruin as they call him in the books. Even with limited screen time, he absolutely owned the season, and his takedown of Ormund Hightower was an all-time HotD moment. Steve even called it a “glorious ending,” watching Roddy fight like a true northerner, a Viking in everything but name, eventually getting burnt to a crisp by Ulf’s dragon after taking Ormund down. And can we talk about Ormund? He was a welcome, distinctive presence this season, hating the Targaryens and anything remotely disgusting. Steve even compared him to Dennis Reynolds from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and Jay was totally on board with that, saying Ormund could easily give an “untethered rage speech.” You love to hate a character that well-written, and Ormund’s disgust for filthy Westeros was just gold. It’s a huge loss for the show to lose both of them in one go, talk about a double whammy!
This season definitely took some liberties, with The Battle of Tumbleton being a prime example. In the books, Daemon isn’t even leading the charge for the Blacks; it’s Roderick Dustin himself. But honestly, the changes just made for better TV. What a finale! Season 4 is gonna be a wild ride, with Rhaenyra facing down even more issues thanks to Ormund’s nasty tactics. Get ready for more dragons, more drama, and hopefully, more epic battles when the show comes back.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
Leave a Reply