(Image credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO)

"House of the Dragon" might be the biggest show on any streaming service right now, but the HBO series brings some baggage. Season 2 did not go over well, thanks to a lackluster ending, and people doubted whether it even merited renewing their HBO Max subscription.So far, through two episodes, though, season 3 has been a return to form and delivered an epic season premiere. Can episode 3 continue the show's hot streak? Check out streaming editor Malcolm McMillan's instant reaction to the shocking episode below:Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022. He watches dozens of new releases every year to make sure you don't have to watch any of the bad ones.'House of the Dragon' season 3 synopsisBased on George R.R. Martin's book "Fire & Blood," this spin-off series of "Game of Thrones" takes place nearly 200 years before the events of the original show. It's set during a devastating war of succession within House Targaryen known as the "Dance of the Dragons," a war that would mark the beginning of the end of Westeros' ruling house.In season 3, things are finally coming to a head, as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) prepares to take King's Landing (and the Iron Throne) from her usurper half-brother Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney).'House of the Dragon' season 3 trailer