Spoilers below for ‘House Of The Dragon’ season three, episode three.

The latest episode of House Of The Dragon aired last night (July 5), and viewers have been reacting to a surprise twist that shifts the momentum of power.

• READ MORE: Harry Collett just nailed the biggest ‘House Of The Dragon’ shock yet

Focusing on the first few days of Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) reign, the new ruler of King’s Landing struggles to hold together a crumbling kingdom. Daemon (Matt Smith) secures the apparent surrender of enemy Ormund Hightower (James Norton), who hands over Daeron Targaryen, one of the fiercest threats to Rhaenyra’s reign. To her horror, however, a decoy was sent in his place, with the true rival in hiding.

Episode three won warm applause from fans, who praised the surprise revelation and a more character-driven plot after an action-packed first two episodes. “Episode three was a slow burn, but in the best way,” one fan said on X (formerly Twitter). “Instead of nonstop dragon battles, it leaned into politics, deception, and the psychological pressure of ruling. That Daeron twist at the end was a fantastic cliffhanger, and you can really feel the cracks beginning to form around Rhaenyra’s reign. If the rest of the season keeps building like this, we’re in for something special.”

Episode 3 was a slow burn, but in the best way. Instead of nonstop dragon battles, it leaned into politics, deception, and the psychological pressure of ruling. That Daeron twist at the end was a fantastic cliffhanger, and you can really feel the cracks beginning to form around…

— Onyinyechi Splendour (@Onyinyechi38075) July 6, 2026

Another enthused: “That Daeron dupe storyline was executed brilliantly. That reveal was so satisfying & took my breath away. I love when shows can pull a bluff on me.”

That Daeron dupe storyline was executed brilliantly. That reveal was so satisfying & took my breath away. I love when shows can pull a bluff on me. #HOTD

— tom (@thom_ahs) July 6, 2026

“Feeling on top of the world for immediately predicting that Daeron twist at the beginning of the episode,” one celebrated. “So I’m assuming that guy who looked to be Ormund’s squire in Episode one is actually Daeron??”

Feeling on top of the world for immediately predicting that Daeron twist at the beginning of the episode.

So I’m assuming that guy who looked to be Ormund’s squire in Episode 1 is actually Daeron??

— DaR 🏳️‍🌈🇵🇸🇺🇦 (@LordFusionDaR) July 6, 2026

Finally, a viewer drew parallels between this episode and a controversial Game Of Thrones plot. “A masterpiece,” they said. “It is exactly the type of episode Daenerys needed in the final season of Game of Thrones.”

A masterpiece. It is exactly the type of episode Daenerys needed in the final season of Game of Thrones

— feminem (@just_femi) July 6, 2026

The reactions are a marked improvement from the horror many viewers felt watching a mother-son kiss in the season three premiere episode, with one person calling it: “Easily the most uncomfortable kiss I’ve ever seen on TV”.