The fake Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon
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House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3 has an ‘annoying’ Daeron Targaryen plot hole

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Daisy Phillipson
6th July 2026, 15:19
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Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season three episode three*

Alicent (Olivia Cooke) is reunited with her missing son Daeron Targaryen in the latest episode of House of the Dragon, except it isn’t him at all. Not only is this a departure from the books, but there’s also a big plot hole you may have missed. 

In season three episode three, Daemon (Matt Smith) and the dragonseeds confront Ormund Hightower (James Norton) and announce the news that Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) has been sworn in as Queen. 

Ormund submits and bends the knee because what else could he do in that moment? Three huge dragons against his army of men and one small fire-breather would only end one way. “I am left with no choice,” he says. 

Just as he’s about to lead his army home, Daemon makes one final demand: hand over Daeron, the unseen son of Alicent and Viserys. 

A white-haired child (Charlie Gordon) steps forward and goes with Daemon to be held at the Red Keep where Rhaenyra can keep her eye on him. But when Daeron and Alicent are finally reunited at the end of the episode, we learn that it’s actually an imposter. 

Rhaenyra and the fake Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Credit: HBO

Finally, Daeron – who’s been silent up until now – spills. As it turns out, Ormund bleached his hair, demanded that he stay quiet, and said he must play the part of the prince, or else he’ll have his mother hanged. 

So, that’s why Ormund gave little pushback when it came to handing Daeron over. It also basically confirms that the mysterious brown-haired squire (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) is the real Daeron. 

This imposter plotline isn’t in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, which in itself has rubbed up some fans of the books the wrong way. But the main issue is that it appears to feature a plot hole early on. 

Deamon’s dragon Tessarion ‘didn’t bat an eyelid’

As the fake Daeron walks over to Deamon, the prince’s dragon – Tessarion – doesn’t fight back or even follow her supposed rider. We now know why, but as a seasoned dragon rider, Deamon would have definitely noticed this. 

Viewers at home have noticed this inconsistency, especially given the fact that it deviates from the source material. 

As one said on X, “Really poor writing in tonight’s episode of House of the Dragon season 3 episode 3. If you are going to deviate from the source material, might want to pay attention to details, like not forgetting the importance of the damn dragon when taking a fake Daeron hostage.”

“Daemon should’ve realised here that kid wasn’t Daeron because Tessarion didn’t bat an eye lol,” wrote another, while a third added, “All Daemon had to do was take one look at how genuinely confused Tessarion was.”

A fourth chimed in, “Daemon, an experienced fighter and dragon rider, falls for fake Daeron and leaves Tessarion with the Hightower army?

“Tessarion just watched her rider get taken and did nothing? Dragons protect their riders. Is this bad writing or am I missing something?”

Even those who enjoyed the fake Dearon plot couldn’t help but point out the inconsistency. “Daeron plot works for me… of course no one at Red Keep save Alicent wouldn’t know the boy,” said one. 

“Mainly, it serves Ormund to buy time and take over Tumbleton, BUT Tessarion is a plot oversight. Annoying one. Why on earth would Daemon leave without Tessarion?”

But not everyone saw it as a negative, including this person who said, “Tessarion’s reaction to fake Daeron is too funny. She’s like ‘that’s not Dae- you know what let me mind my business’.”

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Featured image credit: HBO