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Criston Cole’s death and Daeron’s true identity revealed in explosive episode
Developed over time first seen 4 months ago
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.
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In short
- 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
How this story developed
- 4 months ago Coverage of the episode was reiterated without new plot detail, restating Cole's death, Daeron's unmasking and Corlys's uncertain standing with Rhaenyra as the settled account of the instalment.
- 4 months ago Fresh detail on the episode emerged as actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth spoke about the assassination attempt sequence, framing it as the moment Daeron began asserting agency over Hightower and hinting his role could prove more decisive to the war's outcome than his captivity had suggested.
- 4 months ago House of the Dragon's sixth episode of season three killed off Ser Criston Cole in a death compared to Joffrey Baratheon's, while also unmasking Daeron Targaryen's true identity after an assassination attempt shifted his power dynamic with captor Ormund Hightower, leaving Corlys Velaryon's fate unresolved amid strain with Rhaenyra over legitimacy.
- Collider ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Share Another Link Besides Benjamin Evan Ainsworth
- Collider ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3’s Shocking New Chapter Delivers the Moment Fans Have Been Waiting For | Review
- Deadline ‘House Of The Dragon’s Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Discusses Daeron Targaryen’s Choices & Future Motives As Season 3 Hits Home Stretch
- Polygon Corlys Velaryon’s fate left uncertain after House of the Dragon episode 6
- Variety Assassination attempt marks turning point for Daeron in House of the Dragon
Explained simply
Ser Criston Cole has been one of the most polarising figures in House of the Dragon, a knight whose personal grievances and political manoeuvring have repeatedly reshaped the fortunes of the warring Targaryen factions. His storyline has run since the show's first season, making him a familiar fixture for long-time viewers even as many have wanted to see him fall.
Alongside him, the season has been building a mystery around Daeron Targaryen, a young prince being held by Ormund Hightower, a nobleman aligned with the Greens in the civil war dividing the Targaryen dynasty. The show's marketing had deliberately kept Daeron's true identity hidden, making the relationship between captor and captive one of the season's central puzzles.
The wider context is the Targaryen civil war, often referred to as the Dance of the Dragons, in which Queen Rhaenyra and rival claimants backed by figures such as Corlys Velaryon are fighting for control of the Iron Throne. Shifts in loyalty and identity among supporting characters like these carry real weight for the succession battle at the heart of the series.
Coverage · 5 sources
- Deadline‘House Of The Dragon’s Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Discusses Daeron Targaryen’s Choices & Future Motives As Season 3 Hits Home Stretch
- Collider‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Share Another Link Besides Benjamin Evan Ainsworth
- Collider‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3’s Shocking New Chapter Delivers the Moment Fans Have Been Waiting For | Review
- PolygonCorlys Velaryon’s fate left uncertain after House of the Dragon episode 6
- VarietyAssassination attempt marks turning point for Daeron in House of the Dragon