The “House of the Dragon” Season 3 finale delivered some of the most shocking moments in the series so far, but one scene in particular has left fans and cast members alike debating its consequences. The episode titled “The Treasons at Tumbleton” saw Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) carry out a brutal order from Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen: kill the High Septon. Salim, who plays the newly appointed Hand of the Queen, has now opened up about the gravity of that decision, calling it a defining “make-or-break” moment for his character and everyone around him.
The scene unfolded after Rhaenyra marched on the Great Sept of King’s Landing, demanding the High Septon anoint her as queen. When he refused, she ordered her Hand to execute the religious leader on the spot. Alyn, visibly conflicted, hesitated before driving his sword through the unarmed holy man. It was an act of religious assassination that Salim believes will have major ramifications for Alyn’s position and his most important relationships, including with his brother Addam and Baela Targaryen.
Salim Breaks Down the Weight of Rhaenyra’s Order
In an interview with Collider, Salim discussed the severity of the task Rhaenyra placed on Alyn’s shoulders. He described it as a “culture shock” for the former sailor, who was never born into the political games of the royal court.
“It’s like pulling a farmer out to be a politician. Sure, they’ll bring their own perspective and their own elements, and they might actually have more of a better understanding, to a degree, of what the people want. But it’s a culture shock because it’s a completely different language.”
Salim explained that Alyn’s rise to Hand of the Queen came after his father, Corlys Velaryon, stepped down from the position. Corlys made the shocking decision after Rhaenyra refused to legitimize his sons, Alyn and Addam. With nothing left to give after the Battle of the Gullet, Corlys offered Alyn the protection of the Velaryon name, paving the way for his son’s appointment.
But the appointment came with a heavy price. Salim noted that Rhaenyra’s order to kill the High Septon was a task far above what Alyn was prepared for. He represented the common folk, not the political elite, and had never been groomed for such ruthless decisions.
Why Alyn Carried Out the Killing
While Alyn was visibly shaken by Rhaenyra’s command, she overrode his hesitation by manipulating him. She reminded him of his Valyrian blood and stated that they answer to higher gods than the Faith of the Seven. But Salim believes the decision was also about survival.
“It was hard to actually figure out why Alyn would do it. There’s the moment, obviously, when Rhaenyra…”
Salim suggested that Alyn’s choice was driven by pressure from the Queen and the need to secure his own position in a court where loyalty is often the only currency that matters. The actor also hinted that this moment could strain Alyn’s relationship with his brother Addam, who was visibly disturbed by Rhaenyra’s downward spiral.
Alyn’s Journey From Season 2 to the Finale
Alyn of Hull was introduced in Season 2 as a stern, quiet sailor who saved the life of Lord Corlys Velaryon. The series later revealed that Alyn is Corlys’ illegitimate son, a revelation that set the stage for a tense family dynamic. In the Season 2 finale, Alyn finally confronted his father, delivering a searing rebuke about his failings as a parent. Salim has previously described that moment as Alyn finally telling Corlys “where to stick it”.
But Season 3 took Alyn’s story in a completely different direction. He was thrust into the political spotlight, becoming Hand of the Queen and ultimately committing an act that Salim describes as a turning point for the character. The actor has also woven the character’s legendary future into his performance. Readers of the source material know Alyn by the moniker “Oakenfist,” and Salim has embraced that legacy since the show’s second season.
“In everything! From day one of Season 2, hah! From very small to very obvious. For example, there are two moments in episode one of Season 3, when I take control of the ship as Corlys is distracted, and also how I kill Lohar. For me, there’s a ruthlessness that comes with such a title, so I wanted to sow those seeds.”
What the Finale Means for Alyn’s Future
The Season 3 finale also featured Alyn killing Sharako Lohar, a moment Salim framed as survival rather than triumph. He described it as a “necessary evil” and questioned whether the act was ultimately worth it.
But the killing of the High Septon is a different matter entirely. Salim has called it a “make-or-break” moment, suggesting that Alyn’s actions in the finale could define his entire arc moving forward. The religious assassination has already sparked outrage among followers of the Faith of the Seven, and it remains to be seen how Alyn will navigate the fallout.
The finale also saw the deaths of several key characters, including Queen Helaena Targaryen and Lord Ormund Hightower. Rhaenyra’s decision to order the killing of the High Septon has been described as a turning point for her character as well, with Emma D’Arcy stating that Helaena’s death “condemns Rhaenyra to the path she’s chosen”.
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What’s Next for House of the Dragon
The fourth and final season of “House of the Dragon” is currently targeting a 2028 release. While details about the upcoming season remain scarce, the events of the Season 3 finale have set the stage for an explosive conclusion to the Targaryen civil war.
For Alyn, the path forward is uncertain. Salim has previously described Alyn’s mindset in Season 3 as one of survival, noting that the character has to “suck it up and either survive or die”. But with the weight of the High Septon’s death on his shoulders, Alyn’s survival may come at a great cost.
Salim has also shared his vision for a peaceful ending for Alyn, keeping it simple: “Boat. Ocean. His Queen. She Knows Who She Is”. Whether the character will ever find that peace remains to be seen.
Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3 Finale: Major Deaths and Rhaenyra’s Dark Turn
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