House of the Dragon: Season 3 Episode 6 ‘Faceless Men’ explained

Warning: Major spoilers ahead

Ser Criston’s depleted army continue their march through the Riverlands. A scout discovers a Tully camp, but something is odd. The camp appears to have been routed, with bodies strewn everywhere. Ser Criston is confused for a moment as the bodies appear to have been placed, not fallen. Before he can fully realise the dire situation they are in, the Rivermen spring to life, attacking Criston's men. Ser Criston fights bravely, downing several men and turning the tide of the battle single-handedly. For a moment it appears they've fought off the ambush and may yet walk away... when they look up to see a colossal army of Northerners and Rivermen has surrounded them.

Oscar Tully and Roddy the Ruin lead the attack, declaring Ser Criston a traitor, with Roddy noting he’s prepared to die with a blade in hand. Ser Criston challenges them both to armed combat, tying Alicent’s favour around the handle of his sword. Alas, it is not to be. He is caught off guard by Alysanne Blackwood (better known as Black Aly), who downs him with three arrows.

As he drops dead on the ground, the rest of the army descend on the handful of men that remain. Vastly outnumbered, they all face death.

In the Red Keep, Alicent and Helaena are found by guards having trapped themselves in their attempt to flee, but there is more to discuss in the small council. Daemon is furious at the murder of 15 of his Gold Cloaks, including his close friend Ser Luthor. In total 25 members of the City Watch have now died in the name of Daeron Targaryen.

Rhaenyra knows it’s a humiliation tactic from the Hightowers, intended to make her look unfit to rule – and it’s working. Asking where her army is, Maester Orwyle notifies her they are tied in the events of Tumbleton, with Ser Criston's ambushes taking a significant toll.

Daemon insists the insult needs to be answered for, and they need to burn the villains out – but Mysaria points out it would be exactly what Ormund wants, as it would make her look like cruel queen willing to indiscriminately burn her own subjects.

When Daemon suggests heading to the Tumbeton stronghold on his dragon, the rest of the council stand against him, saying they need to wait and the optics of a dragon would also not serve them. Rhaenyra ultimately sides with the rest of the council, much to the anger of Daemon, who tries to argue that Aegon the Conqueror burned people alive and brought about the longest period of calm in history – but she rightly notes they were enemies, not his own people. She also says her father would not approve of it, which Daemon knows is the real reason for her hesitancy.

Howwever, she notes her patience has bounds and commands swordsmen be sent to Tumbleton. Daemon thinks he’s being called to arms, but she wants him close to protect the Red Keep – and her. She then asks Alyn to request more Velaryon men from his father Lord Corlys.

Responding to her summons, a team of Baratheon men arrive at the Red Keep, but she notices Lord Borros Baratheon isn't with them. They claim he has had to ride south in order to fight the Dornish rebel known as the "Vulture King" who is threatening the Crownlands, but she takes his absence as a slight and an attempt by Borros to distance himself from her. The Baratheon spokesman begs forgiveness and claims it’s just a matter of time before he arrives. When he says they would gladly offer their service in any way to her, she demands his belt.

Over in the outskirts of Tumbleton, Hugh arrives on Vermithor to take over lookout duty from Ulf. The pair reflect on their time before becoming dragonriders, remembering the joys of market day and enjoying ale in taverns before theywere sworn into service by Rhaenyra. Hugh questions if he'd like to go back, and while Ulf says no, he points out their life hasn’t exactly improved. He then wishes Hugh well and rides off on Silverwing.

Back in the Keep, Rhaenyra gets word of Alicent’s escape attempt and confronts her, asking if she’s ungrateful for the kindness she’s offered her until this point. Alicent comes clean about Helaena’s pregnancy, and they were running to protect both her and the child. Rhaenyra is shocked Alicent thinks she’d be capable of doing something to hurt Helaena or the baby, but Alicent points out that, if male, she may find it necessary for a multitude of reasons – including that he may be considered a future claimant to the throne.

As they were discovered by guards, Rhaenyra says she can’t be seen to let this go unpunished, so doubles their guards and removes their access to the Godswood. Alicent asks just for the punishment to be towards her, but Rhaenyra cannot allow it. Besides, as a pregnant Helaena’s bump becomes more obvious, she will need to be hidden from prying eyes.

Alicent asks if they can simply be sent away, but between every trick Ormund is pulling in King’s Landing and Aegon and Aemond still missing, Rhaenyra refuses. To the court, she’s a Hightower enemy, and needs to be seen to be treated as such.

Rhaenyra later shares the news with Mysaria, asking if she had any suspicion, but Mysaria denies any knowledge (which we know to be false). She’s later seen pointing out the maid who was bribed into aiding Alicent in her escape, and demands a soldier remove the "thief and traitor".

Things go from bad to worse for Daemon, who summons his remaining gold cloaks to the room where Ser Luthor and his men were slain. But rather than be rallied, many turn in their cloaks – having been left penniless since their pay was withheld, and being unwilling to leave their family without fathers as well.

Out on the road, Alyn meets with Lord Corlys, who is hanging up the bodies of Triarchy pirates they’ve killed. When Alyn informs him of Ormund’s attacks within King’s Landing, and delivers Rhaenyra's request for more men from Driftmark, the Lord scoffs that Rhaenyra continues to demand things from him.

Alyn informs him she’s not the one asking, he is, and wonders how long Corlys’s anger towards the Queen will last. His calmness shocks Corlys, who wonders how he can support the Queen when she refuses to legitimise him – prompting Alyn to remind him it took Corlys years for him to do the same.

Before he leaves, Corlys tells Alyn that he’s heard Ser Tyland Lannister survived the Battle of the Gullet and is now heading towards Rook’s Rest.

Outside Rook’s Rest, Aegon picks dirt from his nails as Tyland digs a shallow grave for Janos, who Aegon killed to preserve his false identity. Exhausted, he collapses, but Larys tries to force him to continue as it’s not deep enough, before admitting defeat.

Larys shares he’s arranged for passage to Braavos in a few days, but Tyland argues it’s a mistake to leave Westeros – they would do better if they head to his stronghold of Casterly Rock, where they can establish a court and rebuild.

Aegon then catches him off-guard by asking if he thinks he’s a terrible man - still reflecting on Larys' harsh words to him. Tyland babbles, unable to tell him the truth but also not wanting to lie. When he says men are capable of having both good and bad aspects within them, Aegon sides with Larys and says they should head to Essos.

At the Eyrie, Lady Jeyne Arryn sends a man through the Moon Door in the stronghold to his death. Guards arrive with Rhaena, who has continued to hide away with Sheepstealer, and Lady Jeyne slaps her for not doing a good enough job of it. Rhaena notes she saw her sister’s dragon, Moondancer, heading towards Iron Oaks, but Lady Jeyne doesn’t care, and asks why she would dare come out of hiding, where anyone could identify her and report it back to Rhaenyra. It would get her in trouble as well for harbouring her.

Rhaena pleads that she’s always wanted a dragon, and now she’s got one she’s had to sacrifice everything else. Lady Jeyne reminds her that it was her own decision, and if she breaks her rules again, it will be her last.

In Harrenhal, Alys looks after Aemond, thanking him for saving her from sellswords and saying she’s in his debt. He says he feels the same, but he needs to leave and find his dragon Vhagar, as he cannot be without her. She warns that he’s being hunted, so shouldn't be hiding on horseback around the kingdom with no protection. He questions how, if that were the case, he’d be any safer staying at Harrenhal.

Alys asks if Vhagar flew away as a way to protect him, knowing it will hide him as Rhaenyra will believe he is wherever his dragon is. She reminds him that to go after Rhaenyra right now would be a suicide mission with no purpose, especially as she has six dragons to one.

In the dragons’ lair, Alyn speaks with Baela, who he finds asleep from exhaustion. He shares he saw Corlys, and asks her to speak to him, thinking she may be able to appeal to him in a way Alyn cannot. Baela shares he feels the same with her father, Daemon, saying they are trying to outstrip ghosts, leaving them behind in the process. She can’t help him, as he has his own burdens to bear, but then approaches him in order to express affection.

He tries to resist her, saying that she should go to bed, and she calls him dutiful. She questions if he ever wants to forget it all for a moment. With that, he passionately kisses her.

Ser Gwayne arrives at Tumbleton, but Ormund is not happy to see him at all, wondering why he has abandoned Ser Criston in the fight. When Ser Gwayne (correctly) argues his fight was hopeless, as is Ormund's occupation of Tumbleton. Ormund reveals his intent to continue, asking Daeron to back him up. His decision shocks Ser Gwayne, who notes they’re outnumbered, missing key people and resources, and all the while being watched closely by a dragon in the hills.

But Ormund has thought this through and knows Rhaenyra won’t harm her people because “she’s a squeamish woman” and as such, they’re protected in the walls of Tumbleton. He encourages Ser Gwayne to use his imagination, and being there allows them to fight on their terms and ground when Rhaenyra’s army arrives, while in King’s Landing there are plans afoot to ensure people turn against her and make her look like an unfit Queen – it’s only a matter of time before the Great Houses switch to their side.

When Gwayne asks if any had yet, Ormund says “the patient hunter gets the kill”. Gwayne says he is exhausted from his long journeyand wishes to get some sleep. Ormund makes a mocking comment about him “finding solace with his brothers in arms” before telling Daeron to take him to his quarters.

Once alone, Gwayne questions why Daeron is fawning over Ormund and bowing to his will to make him King. Daeron, in a complete change of attitude to what we’ve seen of him until now, reveals he’s had no choice to behave that way without Gwayne’s protection. He’s aware of Ormund is trying to use him as a puppet for his own political gain and is exhausted by his behaviour. He does what he can to limit Ormund's cruelty, but he hates what he has been forced into becoming. Gwayne urges him to say no to Ormund, but he knows that without this masquerade, he’s unprotected from his uncle’s wrath.

Daeron begs Gwayne not to leave him again, but as second-in-line, he intends to return to Oldtown to pick up what remains of their Great House. Before he leaves, Daeron asks if he was able to see his mother, Alicent, while in King’s Landing.

Now both imprisoned, Helaena focuses on embroidery and refuses to eat. She is angry at her mother – who had lied to her about her daughter Jaeheara waiting for them through the tunnels like she had promised.

Alicent apologises, saying she just wanted to protect her, but Helaena realises she only intended to protect herself, using her as an excuse. Helaena is done with her and walks away. When she does, Alicent realises she’s stitching a picture of the baby in her womb.

Over in Harrenhal, Aemond heads to the stable to ready a horse, but is spotted by a stableboy who immediately recognises him. Before the boy can say anything, Alys kills him, and tells Aemond that she’s kept his secret, and will continue to. Aemond questions why she didn’t kill him and claim Rhaenyra’s bounty for herself, and wonders what she’s up to. She says it’s his lesson to learn if he’s willing.

When he agrees, she shows him her biggest secret: five unhatched dragon eggs laid by Dreamfyre, his ancestor Rhaena Targaryen’s dragon. She had come to Harrenhal after the death of her daughter, and they had remained there abandoned for over 100 years. She notes that, while she doesn’t know much about dragons, she has envisioned the return of the Targaryens to Harrenhal.

Aemond says he’s been cursed for his sins, with anything he touches withering beneath him, but she tells him he has no idea what it’s like to be cursed and is tired of her desolate existence. She believes he feels the same, and has been alone his entire life, so if they were together, that wouldn’t be the case anymore. The Lady of the Water and the Dragon Lord, with Targaryen princes. With that, she kisses him.

At King’s Landing, Rhaenyra sees new requests from the smallfolk, who are getting restless. They are unable to afford tallow to light their sconces and without the City Watch’s protection, women at the motherhouse are being taken. Rhaenyra doesn’t have answers for any of them, dismissing concerns by saying she’ll light candles at the Sept, diverting them to Ser Tohrren as master of coin, or blaming the Hightowers for committing these crimes. But the smallfolk have no one else to turn to but her. As they continue to share their frustrations, she cuts herself on the Iron Throne – an ill omen, as it is believed the throne itself is rejecting you as an unfit ruler.

Out on the streets, Daemon disguises himself as a Gold Cloak in order to lure out an assassin. When he corners his attacker, he demands to know numbers – but the man warns they are everywhere. Until “Daeron The Daring” takes his rightful place, they will not rest. He declares his group “The People of the Seven Kingdoms" and warns the more they fight back, the more it will just drive others to join their cause. Daemon thanks him for the information by stabbing through the ear.

As he walks away, he bumps into Ulf, who tries to start a fight before realising who he is. Ulf stumbles over an explanation of why he’s outside of the Keep, before just admitting he wanted “simple pleasures” after working so hard, and men like Daemon should be able to understand. Daemon backhands him for the insolence, sending him to the ground, before warning he’ll take out his eyes if he comes to the city again.

At the same time, the Hightowers feast, with Ormund warning Daeron not to trust a commoner who has clawed his way to power as they are often doing so to satisfy something else within him. The irony isn’t lost on Gwayne, but Ormund doesn’t notice, stating Daeron needs to bear this in mind when choosing a Hand to the King, agreeing Rhaenyra made a good choice with Lord Corlys.

When Daeron asks about Otto, his grandfather and former Hand to the King, he scoffs, but their dinner is interrupted by the arrival of Ser Borros Baratheon’s men, led by a man who introduces himself as Ser Arrion Baratheon.

Believing they’re there to bend the kneww, he welcomes them, only to be overcome by their smell. Sensitive to odours, he struggles to hide his disgust.

However, when Ormund introduces Daeron to the group, Ser Gwayne launches an attack, recognising Ser Arrion as an imposter, and realising they’re there to kill Daeron and Ormund. The bloody way the group are killed leaves Ormund vomiting on the dinner table and swearing he will get his vengeance against Rhaenyra.

Meanwhile Hugh, keeping an eye on what’s going on, commandeers a merchant's wagon and steals into Tumbleton in disguise. He reunites with his wife, Kat, after sneaking into Tumbleton. She feared him dead and is relieved to see him. She moved from King’s Landing to be with her brother, who is now dead too (her brother is Leo – the man Ormund had killed for attacking one his men two episodes back).

Hugh declares now he’s a dragonrider, he can take her to safety and they can live a better life, but she’s horrified, realising that’s where he’s been this entire time. She accuses him of leaving her to “seek his own glory”, sharing that “many things” happened to her as she was forced to walk on foot from King’s Landing to Tumbleton.

He insists he did it for them, but she didn’t want it – she just needed him on the ground with her. He apologises, but saysthey need to leave as he can’t be recognised, but she refuses. She won’t leave her family. He tries to physically move her but she slaps him, questioning who he even is anymore.

As the dining room is deep cleaned, Ormund thanks Gwayne for his fast thinking and apologises for speaking to him unkindly before. He says he can return to Oldtown if that’s what he really wants. Watching Daeron train with his sword in the courtyard, Gwayne notes that Daeron would make a good king, but he does not believe that doesn’t matters to Ormund, who is willing to sacrifice lives for his own pride, but never his own. Perhaps with a mind to protect Daeron, perhaps to limit the damage his brother may bring upon himself, he asks to know what the plan is.

Alicent requests a meeting with Rhaenyra, offering to give her Aemond’s location in exchange for her freedom and Helaena’s, whose mental state is declining. Despite being in no position to bargain, Alicent shares Aemond is at Harrenhal, Rhaenyra dismisses it because her men had searched for Vhagar and not found her – but Alicent notes she never said she knew where Vhagar was. Just her son.

When Rhaenyra questions how she knew this, she reveals Helaena has dreams where she can see things her eyes cannot – and she has seen Aemond "burning, but without fire". Knowing a garrison of knights would just make Aemond retreat deeper into hiding, Rhaenyra decides the best course of action would be to send just one alongside someone he loves and trusts to draw him out and drop his guard - Alicent. She refuses, saying she won’t leave Helaena in her state, but Rhaenyra says she will look after her until her return. Alicent asks her what she has become, saying she knew she would be cruel to keep her throne.

That night, Alicent and Helaena have dinner, and Helaena shares her fears of being alone. She asks Alicent if it was her desire to marry her to Aegon, or did no other Lord ask for her hand. Alicent admits it was Otto’s idea, but she preferred to keep her close over far away with some Lord. She promises to return as soon as she’s able to so they can both be free.

Rhaenyra sits with Joffrey while he sleeps, while Alicent heads toward Harrenhal. Maester Orwyle then delivers a message from Ormund that arrived at the gate for Rhaenyra. It’s a Baratheon cloak with the words “Kick this dog and I will bite your hand” written in blood.

Lord Corlys celebrates with him men after routing the Triarchy pirates and decides to return to the city to protect Rhaenya as Alyn asked. However, before he can leave, his garrison is attacked by Ormund's men and he is captured.

Here's who met the gods in Faceless Men:

● Ser Criston Cole, determined to die a hero’s death in battle, is felled by Black Aly’s bow – his request for one final battle going unanswered.

● Many soldiers, some assassins, whoever got thrown out the Moon Door and one stableboy. RIP stableboy.

Lord Corlys was last seen being attacked by Ormund's men and his status is unknown. However, it is extremely rare for deaths to not be made explicit in both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, so the smart money is that he will survive another week, at least.