Be warned, this contains spoilers for episode 6 of House of the Dragon season 3! The latest episode of the HBO fantasy series concludes with a major deviation from the original story, focusing on Lord Corlys Velaryon. The episode follows Rhaenyra Targaryen as she begins her reign in King’s Landing, but things are quickly falling apart. Rhaenyra’s mental health is worsening due to growing paranoia, members of the city guard are being found dead, and Aemond and Aegon Targaryen remain missing. To make matters worse, Rhaenyra’s trusted advisor, Corlys, has effectively left her side.
In the latest episode of House of the Dragon, season 3, episode 6, the show began to move the plot forward. With the City Watch practically gone, Rhaenyra asked Alyn Velaryon to speak with Corlys and request that he return to the city with his army. Corlys was initially angry, feeling Rhaenyra had asked too much after she wouldn’t acknowledge his illegitimate sons. But ultimately, at the end of the episode, he agreed to return.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if Rhaenyra will be reunited with her Hand any time soon. Just as Corlys announced to his men that they would turn back toward King’s Landing, Ser Jon Roxton—a knight loyal to Lord Ormund Hightower—ambushes the Velaryon army. Corlys is taken captive just as the credits for this House of the Dragon episode begin to roll. So, what’s next?
What Does Ormund Hightower Want With Corlys Velaryon?
It’s definitely a problem for Rhaenyra that her opponent has captured her most trusted advisor. However, it’s not immediately obvious what Ormund Hightower is trying to achieve. Simply stopping Corlys Velaryon and his forces from reaching King’s Landing wouldn’t require taking him prisoner. Rhaenyra wouldn’t offer a ransom or negotiate for his release, and the people of Tumbleton are already being used as leverage. Ormund clearly has another motive.
George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood makes no mention of Ormund ever taking Corlys captive, so we can’t turn to the source for answers. Instead, our best bet is to look at the episode itself. Earlier in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6, Ormund tells Daeron Targaryen that Rhaenyra made a rare good decision by making Corlys her Hand. He criticized even Otto Hightower for his performance in the role, but notes Corlys Velaryon’s overt advantage. It’s almost as if Ormund admires his enemy.
The fact that Ormund had Corlys captured rather than killed proves that he sees this man as having some value to him. If he really admires the Lord of the Tides, then it’s likely that he wants Corlys on his side. After all, while Ormund has publicly named Daeron Targaryen as king, it will take the acceptance of additional lords to make the realm take this claim seriously. Who could be a better ally than Rhaenyra Targaryen’s estranged confidant?
Corlys’ Story Is Meant To Go In A Different Direction
Be careful! This contains spoilers from the book Fire & Blood, which means it might also spoil upcoming events in House of the Dragon.
Whatever Ormund Hightower’s intentions are regarding Corlys Velaryon, this storyline offers a fresh direction. The events differ significantly from how things unfold in Fire & Blood. Specifically, during the upcoming Battle of Tumbleton, Hugh Hammer and Ulf White will switch sides and support the Greens, leading to a major defeat for Rhaenyra’s forces. Furious about this loss, Rhaenyra intends to imprison and execute Addam Velaryon (who is still known as Addam of Hull in House of the Dragon), as he is another dragonseed. Corlys objects to this decision and helps Addam escape, resulting in Corlys being thrown into the dungeons by Rhaenyra.
Okay, so this whole thing with what happened felt a little off for the Rhaenyra we’ve been getting to know in House of the Dragon, but honestly, things get way more heartbreaking if you look at the original story. In the book Fire & Blood, Corlys being locked up actually sparked even bigger rebellions against the Queen, which is what ultimately forced Rhaenyra to run away from King’s Landing. And then, when Aegon seizes power, he lets Corlys go… and Corlys ends up pledging loyalty to Aegon, betraying Rhaenyra!
Okay, so I’m seeing a pattern with House of the Dragon – it feels like they’re consistently shifting blame away from Rhaenyra herself. In George R.R. Martin’s book, she really engineers her own problems; even Corlys Velaryon trying to help just ends up making things worse and forcing him to support Aegon. But in the show? It looks like they’re setting up Ormund as the one who creates the conflict for Corlys, essentially putting him in a no-win situation. It’s a significant change because it lets Rhaenyra off the hook for the actions of her Hand, and honestly, it doesn’t quite feel earned.
Alicent’s Departure Is Another Big Change From Canon
A particularly heartbreaking scene in the final episode of House of the Dragon season 3 is Alicent’s farewell to Helaena. Rhaenyra has sent Alicent to Harrenhal hoping to lure her son, Aemond, out so he can be executed – a harsh decision, but potentially the only way to resolve the conflict. Although Alicent understandably doesn’t want to hasten her son’s death (having already played a role in the events leading to it), she’s even more worried about Helaena. The young, pregnant queen is very vulnerable, and Rhaenyra has kept her confined to her chambers.
Alicent managed to get Helaena to eat something before she departed, which is a small comfort. However, separated from her mother and unable to fly freely, Helaena’s mental health will likely worsen. History in Fire & Blood shows this Targaryen queen eventually dies by suicide, though some believe Rhaenyra was responsible. It seems probable that Helaena won’t survive Alicent’s trip to Harrenhal, and while Rhaenyra won’t directly cause her death, the circumstances will ultimately be due to Rhaenyra’s actions.
Criston Cole’s Death Opens The Way To Tumbleton
A lot happens in the final moments of House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6, so it’s easy to miss that Ser Criston Cole has finally died. He’s one of the most unlikeable characters in the Game of Thrones world, and readers of George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood knew his death was planned as part of the event known as the Butcher’s Ball. The Rivermen and Winter Wolves, led by Roddy the Ruin, were supposed to reach Tumbleton earlier, but Criston blocked their way. They surprised him with a clever ambush and quickly killed him – Alysanne Blackwood fired the fatal shot.
Now that the way to Tumbleton is open, Rhaenyra wants to retake the town with as little harm to civilians as possible. This means relying on soldiers, not dragons, to do the fighting. While the book Fire & Blood details how this unfolded in history, the show House of the Dragon isn’t bound to follow the same path. We know the Battle of Tumbleton will happen, but its outcome remains uncertain.
2026-07-27 05:09