The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 8, “The Queen Who Ever Was,” which premiered Sunday, Aug. 8 on HBO.

One of the most intriguing aspects of House of the Dragon Season 2 is how the series is changing George R. R. Martin’s novel series. House of the Dragon follows the main Fire & Blood narrative for the most part, but tweaks in certain parts make it more unpredictable for those who read the book.

By the time Season 2 ends, the main players are — like the source material — in position to ramp up the “Dance of the Dragons.” Team Black is amassing more firepower than expected, while Team Green is struggling with shocking losses on their side. With that in mind, here is a detailed look at how Season 3 is shaping up.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Have the Battle of the Gullet

House of the Dragon Season 3 has the iconic Battle of the Gullet set up. This is a horrific naval war that will see Corlys Velaryon, Alyn of Hull and the Sea Snake legion battle the maritime army the Greens recruited. This is the Triarchy-led fleet that is marshaled by Sharako Lohar and Tyland Lannister.

The Greens want to destroy the blockade that is inhibiting goods flowing into King’s Landing, while the Blacks want to ensure Rhaenyra controls supply and distribution. There will be a lot of casualties and collateral damage. Plus, if the show sticks to the lore, the Battle of the Gullet will result in one major death that will rock Rhaenyra to the core. It kicks off a chain of events that will lead to armies such as the Lannisters (Team Green) and the Starks (Team Black) colliding.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Test the New Dragonriders

On Rhaenyra’s team, Ulf White has taken up Silverwing, Hugh Hammer is mounting Vermithor, and Addam of Hull (Alyn’s brother) is riding Seasmoke. According to how long they take to head to the Gullet, the show can explore the tensions, camaraderie and loyalty between them. Notably, Prince Jacaerys isn’t fond of these strangers riding the prestigious beasts.

He thinks the dragonseeds claiming dragons dilutes the idea of noble blood and diminishes his Houses (Targaryen and Velaryon). According to how Jacaerys continues to react, there is a chance he could rile some of these dragonseeds up to question if they want to remain soldiers in Rhaenyra’s army. They don’t mind being knights, but their unpredictable personalities hint that maybe some betrayals could occur.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Make or Break Alicent Hightower

The Season 2 finale saw Alicent Hightower betray the Greens to make a deal with Rhaenyra. She’ll let Rhaenyra’s forces take King’s Landing when Aemond flies out to meet Ser Criston Cole. Given this is a new addition to the story, there are many complications that could occur plot-wise. Aemond and Criston won’t like hearing she sold them out. That could see them hatching plans and scheming with spies to get her for Vhagar to burn. Her brother, Gwayne Hightower, may also be skeptical of bending the knee to the Blacks. Alicent’s other son, Daeron, is leading an army with his dragon, Tessarion, so the Hightowers may have secret weapons to unleash on King’s Landing. This can lead to ambushes, too.

Alicent assumes her kin would side with her. But the key to this is finding out who is holding her father Otto Hightower prisoner. If she can have him legitimize their surrender, maybe more people would follow her word. Either way, Alicent is placing a target on her back, Helaena, and her grandchildren. If Rhaenyra does kill people the Alicent wants to save, that could further break Alicent and make her second-guess her treason. This might even give Team Green an inside woman to help with another hostile takeover.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Could Pit Daemon vs. Aemond

In the source material, once Rhaenyra took King’s Landing, she had domestic issues with Daemon. It led to Daemon riding out, with him and Aemond killing each other in the Battle Above the Gods Eye. The show already had Alys Rivers and the godswood showing Daemon this fate.

Aemond is similarly told by his sister, Helaena, that this is the fight that will kill him. However, the show might adjust the timelines. This could be used for the Season 3 finale, or kept for House of the Dragon Season 4, which will end the series. Notably, the show’s Daemon is now more loyal to Rhaenyra, which could hasten him to try to eliminate Vhagar and Aemond.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Has to Determine Rhaena’s Destiny

The show gave Rhaena Targeyen the role that Nettles had in taming Sheepstealer. Rhaena wants a sense of purpose, so piloting this dragon could have her protecting Rhaenyra’s sons as they’re transported to Pentos. Fire & Blood had the Triarchy ambushing them and kidnapping Viserys. However, that trajectory could change. Rather than head to Rhaenyra’s army, Rhaena could double down on her responsibility and protect her family.

They have dragon eggs too, which could always see Jeyne Arryn, Lady of the Eyrie, requesting they return to her castle. It would be less risky, more fortified, and extend the agency and importance the series is giving Rhaena. She is torn between family and duty, plus mentorship from the seedy Jeyne would make for great TV. This is especially likely given that her father, Daemon, is busy with war, and her mother, Laena, died in Season 1.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Decide Baela’s Fate

Baela is already using her dragon, Moondancer, to intimidate the Greens. Season 3 can see her wanting to join the battle, as well as the romance Fire & Blood courted between her and Jacaerys. They are close in the series, with Baela often calming his rage. Given that Jacaerys is angry over Mysaria being their Mistress of Whispers, Baela may well have to keep monitoring Jacaerys from doing stupid things.

The last thing Baela would want is him acting out again, brokering deals and being like Aegon and Aemond. Season 3 could truly needle down into Baela’s potential to be like her grandmother, Rhaenys, a woman of diplomacy and action. Corlys has already renamed his ship in his late wife’s honor. Baela may also decide she needs to be like Rhaenys. If there is a certain death like in lore, then she may even be more aggressive towards the Greens.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Must Address Rhaenyra’s Personal Life

It’s clear what Rhaenyra’s regal mission is: get the Iron Throne. This is the birthright Viserys passed down: that of the Prince Who Was Promised. But Rhaenyra has a lot to tend to on a personal level. She has to ensure Jacaerys doesn’t become insubordinate. She also has to figure out her feelings. Daemon is back, so he will try to rekindle their marriage.

Ironically, Daemon’s ex, Mysaria, and Rhaenyra kissed, so there might be a budding romance there. Not to mention, political complications, as Mysaria is Rhaenyra’s advisor. Lastly, once Rhaenyra takes the Red Keep and keeps Alicent around, their attraction could arise again. It hints at a massive love quadrangle with people who have egos, and who may end up making bad decisions due to these distractions and matters of the heart.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Reveal Aegon’s New Plan

Aegon is no longer king of the Seven Kingdoms. With Aemond as prince regent and his mother giving Rhaenyra access to King’s Landing, his time is over. While Alicent offered her own son’s head up as a peace offering, Larys Strong had already secreted him away from King’s Landing. Season 3 will see if Rhaenyra thinks Alicent had a hand in this and if trust really exists between the two.

This paves the way for Aegon to heal up. With Larys having spies, they could plot a new civil war. Aegon also hinted his dragon, Sunfyre, did indeed die after the Vhagar roasting. This sets up another new arc: Aegon finding and taming a new dragon. As turmoil occurs at King’s Landing, Larys may well be the key to tempering him as someone wanting revenge, emboldening him to burn all of Rhaenyra’s inner-circle. Aegon needs to be better at war tactics, so Larys is poised to help with this strategy.

House of the Dragon Season 2 and Game of Thrones Seasons 1-8 are available to stream on Max. The final two seasons of House of the Dragon are in development.