# Criston Cole’s death and Daeron’s true identity revealed in explosive episode

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/house-of-the-dragon-season-3s-pivotal-episode-delivers-major-character-deaths-and-daerons-power-shift/
- Published: 2026-07-27T02:14:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-27T08:32:23+00:00
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Criston Cole dies in a Joffrey-esque death scene in episode six
- Daeron Targaryen's hidden true identity is finally revealed
- Corlys Velaryon's loyalty to Rhaenyra left in doubt

## Summary

House of the Dragon's third season reached a pivotal moment in its sixth episode, killing off Ser Criston Cole, one of the show's most divisive antagonists, in a death scene likened by viewers to Joffrey Baratheon's demise in Game of Thrones. The episode also resolved a mystery the show's marketing had deliberately kept obscured all season: the true identity of Daeron Targaryen, unveiled amid a shifting power dynamic between the young prince and his captor-guardian, Ormund Hightower, following an assassination attempt on Daeron. The revelation marks a significant turning point for Daeron's character and for the wider Targaryen succession storyline.

The same episode left the fate of Corlys Velaryon uncertain, after his loyalty to Queen Rhaenyra came under strain over his demands for formal legitimacy. Daeron's unmasking is described as fundamentally altering his relationship with Hightower, setting up further developments as the season progresses. No additional coverage has emerged since, with the episode's twists standing as the definitive account of this chapter in the series.

## Coverage

- [Deadline: ‘House Of The Dragon’s Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Discusses Daeron Targaryen’s Choices & Future Motives As Season 3 Hits Home Stretch](https://deadline.com/2026/07/house-of-the-dragon-benjamin-evan-ainsworth-episode-6-1237000550/)
- [Collider: ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Share Another Link Besides Benjamin Evan Ainsworth](https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-3-episode-6-daeron-benjamin-evan-ainsworth/)
- [Collider: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3’s Shocking New Chapter Delivers the Moment Fans Have Been Waiting For | Review](https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-3-episode-6-review/)
- [Polygon: Corlys Velaryon’s fate left uncertain after House of the Dragon episode 6](https://www.polygon.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-3-episode-6-ending-corlys-velaryon-explained/)
- [Variety: Assassination attempt marks turning point for Daeron in House of the Dragon](https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/house-of-the-dragon-daeron-assassination-attempt-ormund-1236820311/)

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