Until now, the "Green" faction has been a bit of a disaster. You’ve got Aegon’s impulsivity, Aemond’s "war criminal" energy, and Alicent’s mounting realization that she’s lost control of the monster she helped build. Enter Lord Ormund Hightower.

Ormund is the cousin of Alicent and the head of the house. In the world of Westeros, he’s what happens when you combine massive wealth with actual competence. He isn't interested in the petty squabbles of the Red Keep; he’s interested in the logistics of conquest. For teens who loved the cold, calculating brilliance of Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, Ormund is the character they’ve been waiting for. He doesn't need to be the King; he’s the guy who makes the King possible.

The Tywin comparison isn't just about the gold or the family name. It’s about the "Old Energy" vs. "New Energy" dynamic. While the younger generation is out there burning villages because their feelings got hurt, Ormund is expected to move with the slow, crushing inevitability of a glacier.

In the upcoming Season 3 arcs, we’ll likely see him navigating the messy politics of the Reach. Unlike the North or the Stormlands, the Reach is a spiderweb of conflicting loyalties. Ormund’s job is to keep the Tyrells neutral and the other lords in line. It’s a masterclass in soft power backed by a very hard sword. If your kid is into the "political chess" aspect of the show rather than just the dragon fights, Ormund is their new favorite player.

The most interesting thing about Ormund’s upcoming screen time isn't actually Ormund—it’s his squire. Daeron Targaryen, the youngest son of Alicent and Viserys, has been tucked away in Oldtown for years. Season 3 is set to finally introduce him, and Ormund is his mentor.

This relationship is the emotional core of the Hightower army. Daeron is often described as the most "normal" and likable of Alicent’s kids, and Ormund is the one who has shaped him. When they eventually take to the field with Daeron’s dragon, Tessarion (the "Blue Queen"), it won't be a chaotic rampage. It will be a coordinated military strike. Watching a dragon used as a tactical asset rather than a weapon of mass tantrum is going to be a major shift for the show.

If your teen has handled the show so far, they’re probably fine, but be aware: Ormund’s entrance signals the start of the "meat grinder" portion of the story. The upcoming Battle of the Honeywine—which is teased to be a centerpiece of Season 3—is where the war stops being "tragic accidents" and starts being "total annihilation."

The show has already established its TV-MA credentials with Blood and Cheese and the Rook's Rest battle. With Ormund in the lead, expect the violence to feel less like a brawl and more like a war movie. It’s gritty, it’s muddy, and the "good guys" (if there are any) do some very bad things to win.

If your teen is locked into the Hightower expansion, ask them: "Who is actually the 'main' Green at this point?" Is it the guys sitting on the throne in King’s Landing, or is it the guy actually winning the territory in the south? It’s a great way to talk about how power actually works—it’s rarely just about who wears the crown; it’s about who controls the food, the money, and the soldiers.

The biggest friction point with House of the Dragon isn't just the gore; it’s the nihilism. Ormund Hightower represents the "traditional" values of Westeros—honor, duty, lineage—being used to justify a horrific civil war. It’s a great entry point to talk about how "doing your duty" can sometimes be a mask for personal ambition.

See the most important characters in House of the Dragon Season 3

Q: Is Ormund Hightower a villain? In this show, everyone is a shade of gray. Ormund is a "villain" if you root for Team Black (Rhaenyra), but within his own faction, he’s the most honorable and disciplined leader they have. He isn't cruel for the sake of it; he's just effective.

Q: What age is House of the Dragon appropriate for? It’s a hard TV-MA. We generally see it clicking for older teens (16+) who can handle the heavy themes of patriarchy, reproductive violence, and graphic war. If they’ve read Fire & Blood, they know what’s coming.

Q: Do I need to know the books to understand Ormund? Not really, but it helps. The show has been slow-rolling the Hightower family outside of Otto and Alicent, so Ormund’s arrival in Season 3 will feel like a "level up" for the Green faction's power.

Ormund Hightower is the character who turns the "Dance of the Dragons" into a real war. He’s strategic, wealthy, and brings a level of competence that has been sorely lacking. For teens who like the "Game" part of Game of Thrones, his arc is going to be the highlight of the season.