Betrayal, blood and burning, the latest episode of House of the Dragon season three had it all.

**Warning, there are spoilers in this piece if you are not up to date with House of the Dragon. **

After its explosive start, the pace of House of the Dragon had slowed down in the last few weeks, but the penultimate episode of season three 'The Dragons in Winter' did not disappoint.

House of the Dragon could easily have ended up as a CGI mess of the mythical creatures battling each other endlessly. But, in fairness, the showrunners have used the dragons themselves sparingly, and when they do, it generally lives up to its billing.

The same can be said for this episode, but the 'dragons in winter' are also mirrored in our protagonists.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) struggling to control an increasingly volatile Westeros has been a theme of this season, and her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) is now also challenging her.

She enlists the help of dragonrider Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) when her suspicion gets the better of her.

This leads to her discovering Daemon's deception, but it is not a challenge to her rule as she had feared. All comes to light when she finds him pleading with Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell).

Rhaena is the dragonrider of Sheepstealer, who was responsible for Jace's death. A tense standoff follows with the four dragonriders ultimately helpless as the dragons fight each other viciously.

Sheepstealer is a force to be reckoned with and Rhaenyra, Rhaena and Addam barely escape to safety. Daemon and Caraxes are left to deal with Sheepstealer, and he shows his appreciation for his dragon after they emerge victorious.

A fan favourite relationship is that of Lady Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) and Rhaenyra. She struggles to trust Daemon upon their return to King's Landing, but reluctantly shows mercy to Rhaena.

This leads to an emotional exhcange before things between Rhaenyra and Mysaria turn romantic, after their encounters last season was abruptly interrupted.

That brings us to the other, and far more disturbing, sex scene.

At Harrenhal, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) tops Daemon's disturbing visions from season two. The arrival of Alicent (Olivia Cooke) leads to an incestuous scene that is subsequently revealed to be nothing more than Aemond's disturbing fantasy.

Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) can't take his mind off his mother, despite her best efforts. When Alicent actually arrives she is very suspicious, and this proves to be warranted as Alicent poisons her son on Rhaenyra's orders.

Ormund Hightower (James Norton) continues to plot at Tumbleton. His cousin Gwayne (Freddie Fox) and Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) wonder how he thinks his capture of Lord Corlys Velaryon (Stephen Toussaint) will help with the army of 'Winter Wolves' led by Ser Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) and Ser Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) marching towards their stronghold.

We subsequently learn what Ormund is plotting, and it's typical Westerois betrayl. Ser Ulf (Tom Bennett) has always been the weakest link when it comes to Rhaenyra's new dragonriders.

Being barred from the taverns of King's Landing appears to be the greatest indignity in his mind, despite the fact the queen gave him a dragon and a knighthood.

Ormund has gone one better and promised him a castle, Corlys' driftmark nonetheless, and shows his skill at manipulation as he tells Ulf of the stories of Daemon beating him in King's Landing.

"They won't laugh at you anymore," he promises Ulf. In response, Ulf's promise is his enemies "will burn".

It appears Ormund has got another stroke of fortune, or favour from the Gods, as the best of episode seven is saved for last.

Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) has been a fairly pathetic character throughout the show, but he has his standout moment here.

With the Winter Wolves descending on him, he decides he's going to die with honour as he scolds them and proclaims his right to the throne.

Thinking it's worked, the "cowards" retreat is actually nothing to do with his impressive monologue.

His dragon Sunfyre, presumed dead, has recovered from her injuries and emerges to save her master in his moment of need. He's quick to tell Sunfyre "daracarys", leading to the Winter Wolves suffering an excruciating death in flames.

While the majority of the army burns, the fates of Oscar and 'Roddy the Ruin' remain unclear.

Things are set up brilliantly for next week's season finale.

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