House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7 Ending Explained
House of the Dragon (2022) Season 3, Episode 7 ends with a huge betrayal, one that has been cooking for a while. And in doing so, the show sets the stage for the first Battle of Tumbleton in the season finale, and perhaps the demise of the villain of Season 3. But before that, we’ll see one more big betrayal and probably a lot of action.
Season 3 has always been leading towards a confrontation in Tumbleton, but after a season where Team Black has seemed to be in control, Episode 7 gives Team Green a much-needed win, or three. Sunfyre is proven to still be alive, and he saves Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) from Rhaenyra’s army. Plus, Ormund Hightower (James Norton) convinced Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) to turn on Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). And, as much as Alicent (Olivia Cooke) actually does try, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) isn’t as easy to kill—especially with Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) on his side.
But how does the episode end and what comes next?
What Happens at the End of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7?
In an unsurprising turn of events, it seems like Ormund Hightower’s triumph card was indeed Ulf the White, who has now betrayed Team Black and put Team Green back in the Dance of the Dragons. They don’t know it yet, but with Sunfyre alive and Aegon too, plus Aemond and Vhagar and Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainstworth) and Tessarion, if you add Ulf that’s four dragons on Team Green. Team Black still has more dragons, but the advantage isn’t that big anymore.
And, if Helaena (Phia Saban) could be persuaded to use Dreamfyre, that’d be five dragons on Team Green. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For now, Ormund secures Ulf’s loyalty by offering him a lordship and a castle, exactly what he always wanted. Someone else who wanted exactly that and who could also be easily persuaded? Hugh the Hammer (Kieran Bew). And let us remember that the last time we saw him, he was in Tumbleton.
Considering Addam’s (Clinton Liberty) ties to the Velaryons he seems way less likely to be convinced to turn, but after thinking the war was won, this puts things back on much more even terms. And with the board set, we probably won’t be able to escape a bloody battle in the Season 3 finale.
Why Did Ulf the White Betray Team Black in House of the Dragon?
The episode ends with the one betrayal we saw coming a mile away, that of Ulf the White. The problem with the dragonseeds was always that giving a dragon to someone who has no loyalty for you can be a tricky business, and that’s what Rhaenyra did. And Ulf’s ego is the thing leading him towards this betrayal, that and Daemon’s (Matt Smith) treatment of him.
If we’re fair to Daemon, he is right in what he told Ulf both times—even if his bedside manner, like always, leaves much to be desired. But even without that, Ulf was always going to turn, because he thinks his dragon means he deserves to be a lord and own a castle. And that’s what Ormund Hightower has promised him.
Of course, if Ulf only knew Ormund hates him and dragons much more than Daemon or Rhaenyra, things might be different. But Ormund is very good at saying with Ulf wants to hear, promising not just to make him a lord, but Driftmark. Even if Driftmark is in ruins now, that’s enough for Ulf to turn to Team Black. Seems like Ormund did indeed have an ace up his sleeve.
What Can We Expect from House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 8?
The long-awaited first Battle of Tumbleton is upon us. If you’ve read the book, you know how that goes. If you haven’t, just know that things are about to take a hard turn. And in war, especially when the war involves families, there are never any clear losers or winners.
Plus, House of the Dragon still has at least one more season to go. Season 3 cannot wrap up all its storylines, not even close. For now, Episode 7 took care of the Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) and Sheepstealer issue, while still leaving Rhaenyra and Daemon in a pretty weird place thanks to Mysaria.
Quick headcount: for now, Rhaenyra, Daemon, Baela (Bethany Antonia) and Addam have dragons and are firmly Team Black. Rhaenryra’s son Joffrey also has a dragon, though he’s a baby dragon and cannot fight. Hugh is also still considered Team Black, though after Ulf’s betrayal it would be silly not to suspect him. Ulf has turned to Team Green.
That leaves Ulf, Aegon, Aemond, Daeron and Helaena with dragons on Team Green, though Helaena’s dragon isn’t a battle dragon and she is unlikely to ever ride it to war. So, as it stands, the Battle of Tumbleton and whatever loses one team or the other face there might not only determine the fate of the war to come but the fate of this family. Quite a setup for the Season 3 finale.
