House Of The Dragon S3 Episode 6’s Baratheon Twist & Ormund’s Aftermath Explained By Daeron Targaryen Actor

Published Jul 26, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT Jordan is the Senior Editor for Movies & TV News at Screen Rant. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Media Studies. An editor, writer, and digital media specialist based in New York City, you can also find her bylines on Business Insider. Jordan originally hails from Washington State, giving her an undying loyalty to any Seattle sports team, though she's also spent time in Virginia, Oregon, and New Orleans. She runs on coffee and classic movies, taking pride in having seen every film on AFI's 100 Greatest Films list and every Best Picture Oscar winner. Sign in to your ScreenRant account WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6's ending! The "kettle" is about to finally boil over in Tumbleton after House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6. After finally introducing Prince Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) and Ormund Hightower (James Norton) into House of the Dragon season 3's cast of characters, the latest episodes have unraveled a twisted, dangerous dynamic with plans that strive to secure Rhaenyra's downfall in King's Landing. While Ormund has now begun styling young Daeron as King of Westeros, Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) arrives questioning his cousin and his nephew about the developments since he's been gone, with episode 6 culminating in Gwayne preventing the Baratheons' assassination attempt against Rhaenyra's youngest half-brother. In an interview with ScreenRant's Jordan Williams, Daeron Targaryen actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth addresses how much of Ormund's plans his character is actually aware of by episode 6, as well as what the Baratheons' trick to try to kill him reveals about the reality of Gwayne, Ormund, and Daeron's dynamics going forward. Additionally, with just two episodes still remaining, Ainsworth hints at some more shocking twists and tensions to come in Tumbleton before House of the Dragon season 3's ending: ScreenRant: Does he really have any idea of what Ormund is doing in his name in King's Landing by episode 6, or does he think that what he's doing in Tumbleton is the extent of it? Benjamin Evan Ainsworth: "Yeah, I think there are lots of questions going through his head. I think they stem from especially the scene with the assassins, where we were this close to death, and that's because Ormund couldn't see through the trick, but Gwayne could. And so that's, I think, where the doubts really start to kick in. And it's right about the time when the power dynamics within their relationship are shifting. Because, like you were saying about the Targaryen element of Daeron, it's like Ormund would want to strip it down, but now it's valuable so he can't. And he's kind of a king, but he's still a squire to Ormund's side. When I was watching [episode 6], I thought it was really funny the look between the Baratheons when they see that I'm Prince Daeron, they sort of go, 'All right. Just this kid in the green squire's suit.' There's something about that which is so held back, like a kettle boiling, 'What's going to happen next?'" As Gwayne, Ormund, and Daeron sat around the table to eat in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6, they were greeted by a group of men who claimed to be led by Ser Arrion Baratheon, cousin of Lord Borros Baratheon, declaring their support of Daeron. Once "Arrion" asked to see Daeron in person to swear fealty to him, Ormund hardly hesitated before revealing that the teenager in a green squire outfit was actually "King" Daeron himself. Suddenly, Gwayne slit the knight's throat before killing the others, revealing that the man was posing as Arrion with the group being assassins sent to kill Daeron and Ormund. The moment served as a stark realization for Daeron of the weaknesses of Ormund as a strategist and protector. While Ormund couldn't see through the Baratheons' lies, which nearly proved fatal to them both, Gwayne was the one who caught them and killed the assassins to protect his sister Alicent's son Daeron. While Ormund has often positioned himself as more wise and fit to rule than anyone around him, Daeron has now witnessed just how flawed his father figure's plans and strategies in this war truly are. Dragonstone Archives · The Dance Begins The Dance of the Dragons Awaits “The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.” 🐉The BlacksTeam Rhaenyra 👑The GreensTeam Aegon 🔥DragonsFire & Blood ⚔The CrownSuccession 🔮ProphecyA Song of Ice CHOOSE YOUR SIDE → 01 King Viserys I names his heir early in the series, defying tradition that would favor his firstborn son. Who does he name as his successor? ADaemon Targaryen BAegon Targaryen CRhaenyra Targaryen DAemond Targaryen ✓ Correct! Viserys named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne after the death of his first wife, Aemma, and their infant son. He forced the lords of the realm to swear oaths of fealty to her — oaths many would later break. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys defied Westerosi precedent by naming his daughter over his brother Daemon. Even after fathering sons with Alicent Hightower, Viserys never changed his decree. NEXT → 02 Alicent Hightower’s faction is known as “the Greens.” Who is her father, the cunning Hand of the King who orchestrates much of their political strategy? ACorlys Velaryon BOtto Hightower CLyonel Strong DTyland Lannister ✓ Correct! Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King and was the mastermind behind the Green faction. He strategically positioned his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, and spent decades maneuvering to place Alicent’s son Aegon on the throne. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is Otto Hightower. He served as Hand to both Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, and engineered the marriage between Alicent and the King. Corlys Velaryon sided with the Blacks, and Lyonel Strong served as Hand before Otto’s return. NEXT → 03 Daemon Targaryen rides a fierce, battle-scarred dragon known for its Blood Wyrm nickname. What is the name of his fearsome mount? ASyrax BVhagar CMeleys DCaraxes ✓ Correct! Caraxes, known as “the Blood Wyrm,” is Daemon’s dragon — a lean, red, battle-scarred beast. While Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon alive, Caraxes is the most experienced in combat and fiercely loyal to Daemon. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is Caraxes. Syrax is Rhaenyra’s dragon, Vhagar is the oldest dragon (ridden by Aemond), and Meleys “the Red Queen” is Rhaenys’s mount. Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon’s partner in the skies. NEXT → 04 Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known by a nickname reflecting the fact she was passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys. What is she called? AThe Queen Who Never Was BThe Dragon Queen CThe Realm’s Delight DThe Black Queen ✓ Correct! Rhaenys was dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was” after the Great Council of 101 AC chose Viserys over her, despite her strong claim. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she became one of the most formidable figures in the Dance, riding Meleys the Red Queen. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Queen Who Never Was. “The Realm’s Delight” is actually young Rhaenyra’s nickname. Rhaenys earned her title when the lords of the realm chose Viserys over her at the Great Council, setting the precedent that later fueled the Dance. NEXT → 05 Vhagar is the largest living dragon during the Dance. Which Targaryen prince claims her — dramatically shifting the balance of power to the Greens? AAegon II Targaryen BJacaerys Velaryon CAemond Targaryen DDaeron Targaryen ✓ Correct! Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar at Driftmark after the funeral of Laena Velaryon — Vhagar’s previous rider. This bold act gave the Greens their most devastating weapon and sparked the confrontation that cost Aemond his eye. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is Aemond Targaryen. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, Jacaerys rides Vermax, and Daeron rides Tessarion. Aemond’s daring claim of Vhagar at Driftmark was a pivotal moment that made him the Greens’ most dangerous warrior. NEXT → 06 Viserys shares a secret Targaryen prophecy with Rhaenyra about a threat from the North and a promised prince. What is this prophecy called? AThe Prince That Was Promised BA Song of Ice and Fire CThe Long Night Prophecy DAegon’s Conquest ✓ Correct! Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream he called “A Song of Ice and Fire” — a vision of a terrible winter coming from the North that would destroy the world of the living. This secret was passed from king to heir, and Viserys shared it with Rhaenyra on the night he named her heir. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon the Conqueror’s dream foretold a great threat from the North requiring a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to unite the realm. Viserys revealed this to Rhaenyra, connecting House of the Dragon directly to the events of Game of Thrones. NEXT → 07 Corlys Velaryon is one of the richest and most powerful men in Westeros, famous for his legendary voyages. What is his well-known title? AThe Master of Ships BThe Lord of Tides CThe Kraken DThe Sea Snake ✓ Correct! Corlys Velaryon earned the name “The Sea Snake” through his legendary nine voyages across the known world aboard his ship. He amassed a fortune that made House Velaryon wealthier than even the Lannisters, and his naval power proved crucial in the Dance. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Sea Snake. While Corlys did serve on the Small Council, his legendary title comes from his nine great voyages. “Lord of the Tides” is the formal title of the head of House Velaryon, but “The Sea Snake” is his personal epithet. NEXT → 08 The Season 1 finale ends with a devastating loss for Rhaenyra when one of her sons is killed in a dragonback confrontation. Which son does she lose, and who kills him? ALucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar BJacaerys, killed by Aegon and Sunfyre CJoffrey, killed by Daeron and Tessarion DLucerys, killed by Daemon and Caraxes ✓ Correct! Lucerys Velaryon, riding his young dragon Arrax, was pursued and killed by Aemond on the colossal Vhagar above Shipbreaker Bay near Storm’s End. The show portrays this as partly accidental — Vhagar acted on her own — but the result ignited the Dance of the Dragons into open war. ✗ Dracarys! The answer is Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Luke was sent as an envoy to Storm’s End but was confronted by Aemond. The massive Vhagar devoured young Arrax and his rider above Shipbreaker Bay — the act that turned a succession dispute into a full-scale civil war. REVEAL MY SCORE → Dragonstone Archives · Sealed by Fire Your Dragon Rider Record 🐉 / 8 Did you ride to glory — or fall from the sky? ↻ DANCE AGAIN After the incident with the Baratheon assassins, Daeron is seeing Ormund in a new light, with the latter's power over his young ward beginning to slip away. With Daeron being the dragonrider of Tessarion and the one Ormund has uplifted and styled as King, Ainsworth's character could finally step into the influence and authority he has over him in Tumbleton. Additionally, while he already appeared to hold onto Gwayne more as his protector, it seems Daeron will put even more trust in his uncle than before after seeing his ability to understand the Baratheons' trick. With Ormund's men now having captured Corlys Velaryon while continuing to taunt Rhaenyra in King's Landing ahead of House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7, signs are pointing toward a massive reckoning at Tumbleton to put the schemes of James Norton's villainous character to the test. Not only is Daeron set to realize the true extent of Ormund's episode 5 crimes and plans in King's Landing that have been committed in Daeron's name, but he'll also seemingly have to choose whether he wants to become and act as King Daeron outside Ormund's influence. New episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 release Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. Release Date August 21, 2022 Network HBO Directors Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel Cast Fabien Frankel Ser Criston Cole Writers Gabe Fonseca Franchise(s) Game of Thrones Creator(s) George R. R. Martin