House of the Dragon is known for ending episodes with shocking cliffhangers. The HBO series has also made fans wonder whether a character is actually dead. A similar scenario surfaced after the ending of Season 3, Episode 6. It concluded with one of Team Black’s prominent figures seemingly in a near-death scenario.
The episode’s ending quickly sparked debate online, with many finding it hard to believe the character is truly gone. Instead, fans started lining up clues from earlier episodes, George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood book, and the episode’s abrupt cut-to-black ending. These details convinced many fans that the show may have pulled off another fake-out death. Spoilers ahead.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6’s Ending Has Sparked New Fan Theories
House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode’s final moments follow Corlys Velaryon as he brings his fleet back toward Rhaenyra’s side during the war moments. During the night, Ormund Hightower’s forces launch an ambush led by Ser Jon Roxton. Roxton’s men outnumber him and choke him out as he struggles to fight back. The final shot shows him gasping for air before the screen goes pitch black, leaving his fate unknown.
While the ending doesn’t actually confirm his death, fan theories continue to circulate about his survival in upcoming episodes. Many viewers also recalled earlier episodes where HOTD made everyone believe Corlys had died after his injuries at sea, only to reveal later that he had survived. That previous fake-out made fans far more skeptical this time.
Fans’ theories are claiming Corlys is captured but not dead. One user on X, @htodrecap, wrote, “No, he does not die during the war. Corlys is one of the few main leaders who survives the entire civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.”
Fans started to point out the source material, Fire & Blood. According to the book, Corlys is one of the few major players who survives the entire Dance of the Dragons war. A user @dauntlesseskimo wrote, “Maybe he was arrested in Episode 6; I believe we shall see more of him in Episode 7.”
House of the Dragon has a way with cliffhangers, and that history is making fans resistant to mourning Sea Snake yet. Whether Corlys is dead or survives remains to be seen when Episode 7 launches on August 2.
