The Shocking Capture of Corlys Velaryon in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 6

‘House of the Dragon‘ Season 3 has just unveiled one of its most shocking cliffhangers yet, focusing on a character fans believed had already faced enough turmoil. Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, ended Episode 6 in the clutches of his enemies, sending ripples of concern throughout the online community.

Having survived shipwrecks, wars, and the tragic loss of nearly his entire family, this latest development strikes a particularly poignant chord. It also raises significant questions about how far the series might deviate from George R.R. Martin’s original works as the season approaches its climax.

Steve Toussaint’s portrayal of Corlys has seen him distancing himself from Rhaenyra Targaryen’s court this season. Following the death of his wife Rhaenys Targaryen during the Battle at Rook’s Rest in season 2, the Sea Snake aimed to reconcile with and legitimize his illegitimate sons, Alyn and Addam.

However, his plans quickly hit a roadblock. Rhaenyra’s refusal to legitimize the brothers led Corlys to leave King’s Landing, effectively stepping back from his role as Hand and opting to confront the Triarchy in the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet.

With Corlys absent, his son Alyn stepped up, taking over his father’s storyline in King’s Landing. Alyn began advising patience and restraint on the Small Council, gaining Rhaenyra’s trust and positioning himself as heir, even without formal acknowledgment. This shift created a fresh family dynamic for long-time followers of the Targaryen saga.

However, by the latest episode, it appeared that Corlys was ready to re-enter the fray. Alyn had successfully convinced his father to return to the fight, leading Corlys to rally his men with a speech about the necessity of his blades in the city after too long away.

The identity of Corlys’s captor was revealed to be Ser Jon Roxton, acting on orders from Lord Ormund Hightower. The episode concluded with Corlys being seized by Hightower’s forces, a turn of events that spells trouble for Team Black.

The ambush was swift and brutal. Just as Corlys declared his intent to return to King’s Landing, Ser Jon Roxton and his men attacked, capturing the Sea Snake just as the credits rolled.

This attack was more than just a simple capture; it involved a full assault on the Velaryon army, which Corlys had intended to send to King’s Landing. This leaves Rhaenyra in a precarious position as the season heads towards its conclusion, marking a significant setback for the Blacks at a critical moment.

For fans familiar with Martin’s source material, this entire scenario is uncharted territory. George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire and Blood’ does not mention Ormund capturing Corlys, leaving viewers to seek answers solely from the show.

This represents a notable deviation from what book readers anticipated. In the novels, Corlys is never captured by the Greens before the Battle of Tumbleton, and his betrayal in King’s Landing serves as a catalyst for several pivotal events.

Despite the shocking nature of the capture, there is hope for Corlys’s fate. He is one of the few central characters who survives beyond the war in ‘Fire and Blood’, continuing as Rhaenyra’s Hand and later serving as regent for Aegon III before passing away of old age in 132 AC. While this knowledge doesn’t diminish the cliffhanger’s tension, it does provide some reassurance for those fearing the worst.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the episode is Ormund Hightower’s decision to capture Corlys instead of killing him. Earlier, Ormund remarked to Daeron Targaryen that Rhaenyra made a wise choice in appointing Corlys as her Hand, even criticizing Otto Hightower’s performance in the role while acknowledging Corlys’ advantages, suggesting a degree of respect for his adversary.

This grudging admiration may be why Corlys remains alive. Ormund’s choice to capture rather than kill him indicates he sees value in the Sea Snake, possibly wanting him on his side, especially as Ormund’s claim to Daeron as king would require the support of additional lords.

However, the reasoning behind Ormund’s actions remains murky. It’s unclear why capturing Corlys was necessary to prevent the Velaryon army from reaching King’s Landing. With only two episodes left in the season, the show has ample opportunity to address this question in a dramatic manner.

Now that Corlys is a prisoner of the Greens, what do you think Ormund Hightower is truly planning for the Sea Snake?