When George R.R. Martin said that the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon is filled with extremely confusing "flawed" characters, well, he wasn't joking. The latest episode of the series brought a jaw-dropping character shift with fan-beloved Ser Criston Cole and seemingly revealed his true nature.
We first met the noble Dornish Knight Ser Kriston in the very first episode, as he goes in an epic showdown with Daemon (Matt Smith). After triumphing in the battle, Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) was impressed and handpicked him to be her personal Kingsguard. Shockingly, just after Rhaenyra had an incestuous make-out with his uncle Daemon, the princess then seduced Ser Criston and caused him to break his vow of celibacy.
However, things took a more horrible turn for Ser Criston in Episode 5 when he was seen brutally beating Ser Joffrey in a blind rage over the thought of Rhaenyra marrying another man. Now, Ser Criston actor Fabien Frankel finally opened up about his character and teased what we can expect from the character in the upcoming episodes.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, House of the Dragon star Fabien Frankel discussed Ser Criston's wild narrative. According to him, those who read the book wouldn't even be surprised and know that Ser Criston isn't even close to being noble at all. See his full quote below:
He's very much set up as one thing, and as the show goes on, changes a great deal. That was what was exciting to me. He's very much set up as a noble, well-meaning knight there to protect Rhaenyra. And for those who've read the book, he isn't that by any means. I f---ing love that, in a week's time, the audience is gonna very much change their opinion of him. I think that Criston is, in a lot of ways, a fly on the wall, but without the Machiavellian nature of a character like Otto. Otto is constantly planning and plotting and ears-to-the-ground. Criston Cole is ears-to-the-ground, but there's no planning and plotting going on. You have a very interesting dynamic of someone who is overhearing every conversation that is happening, be it when he's on the side of Rhaenyra or on the side of any of the other characters. And slowly as the show goes on — and long may [it] continue, I hope, into many more seasons for HBO — Criston Cole I believe, will become a very integral part of the Dance of the Dragons.
Episode 5's ending is more tragic than fans can imagine. After being saved by Alicent (Emily Carey), Ser Criston is now in debt with the Queen, which means that he is now a pawn in Alicent's future strategies to secure the Iron Throne or compel Ser Criston to side with her and go against Rhaenyra in the impending war known as The Dance of the Dragons.
Nonetheless, Frankel's comment about Ser Criston hints that fans should brace themselves for more surprising things ahead of Ser Criston in the subsequent episodes of House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max.
Also read: House of the Dragon: Alicent Hightower Wardrobe Change Confirms Allegiance Shift
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