The third episode of House of the Dragon's third season has confirmed a widely circulated fan theory by revealing that the young Daeron Targaryen, newly introduced and played by Charlie Gordon, is in fact an imposter. Rhaenyra Targaryen captures the character believing him to be Alicent's youngest son, but when Alicent fails to recognise him, it becomes apparent that the Greens have deceived Rhaenyra, turning her apparent victory in King's Landing into a manipulation. The twist matters because it upends what had seemed to be Rhaenyra's first success since arriving in the capital and raises fresh questions about the real Daeron's whereabouts and identity.

Daeron's handling has long puzzled viewers, as the character was significantly downplayed compared with George R. R. Martin's source book, Fire & Blood. He was first mentioned only at the end of Season 2, and until this episode audiences had seen only his dragon, Tessarion, but never Daeron himself. HBO had teased his arrival with footage of Gordon being taken by Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), though many fans remained unconvinced, suspicions that the episode's ending appears to vindicate.