House of the Dragon season 3: what to remember before June 21

House of the Dragon returns on June 21 at 9 p.m. EDT, when season 3 premieres on HBO Max. New episodes will be released weekly through Aug. 9, and HBO released the final trailer for the season on May 29. The Targaryen rift began with the death of King Viserys I, who intended Rhaenyra to inherit the throne.

Instead, Alicent Hightower and Ser Otto Hightower elevated Alicent’s son Aegon II, splitting the realm between the Greens, who back Aegon, and the Blacks, loyal to Rhaenyra. Season 2 left both sides bloodied: Aemond killed one of Rhaenyra’s sons and his dragon, and Daemon’s hired assassins instead killed Aemond’s young son.

Rhaenyra sent Daemon to Harrenhal; he briefly considered seizing the crown but renewed his loyalty after learning of the Targaryen prophecy called the Song of Ice and Fire. Rhaenyra also recruited new dragon riders with Targaryen and Velaryon blood, the Velaryon fleet held the Gullet, and the Greens enlisted a pirate fleet led by Admiral Sharako Lothar.

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