After eight frantic episodes, House of the Dragon is finished for another season, and it has finally delivered on its promise.

**Before you read on: there are spoilers in this piece if you haven't seen House of the Dragon season three. **

A few weeks ago, we asked if House of the Dragon was running out of steam or setting up for a stunning ending, thankfully it proved to be the latter.

Despite engaging characters, the first two seasons of House of the Dragon failed to capture the imagination of Game of Thrones fans. With the success of the other Westerosi spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, some wondered if House of the Dragon would ever live up to its promise.

Season three was stunning in all the ways we have come to love from Westeros; engaging battles, political intrigue, blood, betrayal, and yes... dragons.

The 'The Treasons at Tumbleton' was a fitting season finale, with the Battle of Tumbleton topping off a thrilling eight episodes.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) finally secured her place on the Iron Throne, but it came at the cost of her son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) after the Battle of the Gullet.

The naval spectacle opened the season in promising fashion, which thankfully continued. Lohar (Abigail Thorn) and Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) led a brutal battle at sea that saw the 'Sea Snake' emerge victorious once again.

Once she comes to power, Rhaenyra learns that governing is never easy. She has to contend with the politics of her own small council, empty gold coffers thanks to the Lannisters, and her own husbands lust for power and battle.

That brings us to Daemon (Matt Smith), who is once again the best thing about House of the Dragon.

We've seen the brutality, fighting skill, and power games that make Daemon, brought to life expertly by Smith, one of the most interesting figures in Westeros. However, another side of the character emerges in season three.

Daemon had been an absentee father, at best, up until this point. However, when he learns Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) was inadvertently responsible for Jace's death, after she claimed the wild dragon Sheepstealer, he is forced to deceive Rhaenyra.

This eventually led to a stunning dragon scene, which did not end well for Sheepstealer. It was done well, like most of the dragon fighting in season three.

This is a victory in itself as the dragon scenes could have easily turned into nothing more than a CGI mess.

Daemon also helps in the discovery of the plotting of Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who wants to put Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) on the Iron Throne.

This comes to light as Daemon investigates the assassination of Gold Cloaks on the streets of King's Landing.

He also gains the trust of the riverland armies, who play a crucial role in season three.

They are led by Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan). His 'Winter Wolves' are typical Westeros northmen and he has a stunning and brutal end himself as he brings the life of Ormund to a suitably gory ending.

Daemon's scenes with his dragon Caraxes were all action-packed.

Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) meets his end in a fitting fashion earlier on in the season.

Mistress of Whispers Lady Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is another engaging character in season three. It starts off well for Mysaria, as she gains Rhaenyra's trust, even over Daemon.

However, she doesn't have the success of the spy master Varys in Game of Thrones.

Mysaria's relationship with Rhaenyra even turned romantic towards the end of the season. It ends badly though as she is expelled from King's Landing in the season finale.

The reason is unclear but it certainly represents Rhaenyra returning to her husband, both romantically and politically. The pair regularly speak in High Valyrian and one intense conversation leads to the strategy for the Battle of Tumbleton.

We also see more betrayal here as Ulf (Tom Bennett) decides to betray Rhaenyra and double cross Ormund by burning the market town in spectacular fashion.

Exiled King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) was a rather pathetic character in the first two seasons, but he emerges as a brilliant character in season three.

After his suffering, and near dragon fire death, he has been 'resurrected' along with his dragon Sunfyre. This should set up a brutal clash with his older sister in season four.

He also makes a tense reconciliation with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), who had some strange moments, normally alongside the mysterious Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).

The season ends with Helaena's tragic death. While Rhaenyra had showed some mercy to her sisters, the same will certainly not be said for her brothers in season four.

HBO has already confirmed season four of House of the Dragon, which will be the final season. It is expected to be released in 2028.

You can watch House of the Dragon on NOW (via the Entertainment membership) and Sky Atlantic.