House of the Dragon Season 3 introduced viewers to Ormund Hightower, Alicent Hightower’s cousin and one of the Greens’ most important commanders. He leads the powerful Hightower army, while Alicent’s youngest son, Daeron Targaryen, marches south with him alongside his dragon, Tessarion. However, the latest episode sees Ormund hand Daeron over to Daemon Targaryen.
The episode also highlights the striking contrast between Ormund and Daemon. Both fiercely support their respective factions, yet they couldn’t be more different in the way they wage war and pursue victory.
What happens in the latest episode?
The third episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 opens with Ormund Hightower leading the formidable Hightower host. Tessarion, the Blue Queen, stands with the army, reinforcing the Greens’ growing strength.
Reflecting on the opening sequence in the Inside the Episode featurette, showrunner Ryan Condal said:
Add WoT as a preferred source on Google.
“This is a great intro for Ormund because you see the strength of this army. This is the strongest and richest house outside of the Targaryens.”
Daemon Targaryen soon arrives on Caraxes, accompanied by Ulf the White on Silverwing and Hugh Hammer on Vermithor. He demands that Ormund bend the knee to Queen Rhaenyra.
Rather than fight, Ormund appears to surrender. He pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra and seemingly accepts defeat.
Before departing, Daemon demands that Daeron Targaryen accompany him to King’s Landing. Ormund agrees and hands the young prince over without resistance.
Daemon later urges Rhaenyra to execute Daeron and eliminate another rival claimant. Instead, she chooses mercy and sentences him to the Wall. She even allows Alicent one final farewell with her son before his departure.
The episode’s closing moments reveal the truth.
Ormund deceived the Blacks from the very beginning. The boy he surrendered was never Daeron Targaryen at all. While Rhaenyra believed she had secured an important hostage, the real Daeron remained safely with the Hightower army as Ormund successfully captured Tumbleton.
James Norton as Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 3 (Credit: HBO Max)
How Ormund differs from Daemon
The latest episode draws a clear contrast between Ormund Hightower and Daemon Targaryen.
Daemon often acts on instinct, emotion, and sheer aggression. Ormund, by contrast, approaches warfare with patience, discipline, and careful planning. He prefers strategy over spectacle.
Discussing the differences between the two characters, actor James Norton explained:
“Ormund is a serious man, puts a lot of emphasis on discipline and order… In comparison, Daemon is way more chaotic, unpredictable.”
Throughout House of the Dragon, Daemon has established himself as one of the story’s true wild cards. Unlike his older brother, King Viserys I Targaryen—remembered as Viserys the Peaceful—Daemon embraces the Targaryen words of “Fire and Blood.” His impulsive decisions often shape the course of the war.
Ormund has appeared in only a handful of scenes so far, yet he has already established himself as a far more calculating commander than his cousin, Gwayne Hightower. If his deception at Tumbleton is any indication, the Blacks may have underestimated one of the Greens’ most dangerous strategists.
How do you think Rhaenyra and Daemon will respond after discovering Ormund’s deception? Let us know in the comments.
