'House of the Dragon' Season 3's continuity error explained

The third season of House of the Dragon premiered to generally excellent reviews, resolving several Season 2 cliffhangers and delivering plenty of explosive action. It hasn't entirely escaped controversy, though; author George R.R. Martin previously called the show out for changing his book Fire & Blood.

Partway through the premiere, Alicent Hightower tries to persuade her son Aemond Targaryen to fly his dragon Vhagar to the ruined castle of Harrenhal, promising Queen Rhaenyra that Aemond and his dragon will be gone. Alicent flatters him as "so courageous" and tells him Harrenhal "is a stronghold, one that has withstood dragonfire once before," adding that "at Harrenhal you will be unassailable." Aemond does as his mother suggests.

That line clashes with established Westerosi history. In Game of Thrones Season 2, Tywin Lannister describes Harrenhal as a "blasted ruin" after dragons burned it and Harren and his sons died within its walls, a point repeated in a Game of Thrones history feature and in Catelyn Stark's narration.

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