WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, on which the show is based!
Summary
The dark Criston Cole moment that will have everyone cheering is officially set up by a scene before the Battle at Rook’s Rest inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4. While initially quite a likable character as he began a budding romance and connection with Young Rhaenyra,Criston Cole has quickly become the most hatedHouse of the Dragoncharacter. From essentially dedicating his life to getting revenge against Rhaenyra, self-righteously blaming others for his own sins, hypocritically condemning others, and even starting a relationship with Alicent Hightower, Cole continues to lose sympathy with each episode.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4, Criston Cole continues his campaign through the Crownlands as he takes Duskendale, the seat of House Darklyn. Sacking his castle is the lead-up to his secret plan with Aemond at Rook’s Rest, which culminates in thedeaths of Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys, her dragon. However, before setting off to Rook’s Rest, Criston beheads Lord Darklyn for refusing to bend the knee to King Aegon, withthis execution foreshadowing the end of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard’s storyinHouse of the Dragon.
Lord Darklyn’s Last Words Set Up Criston Cole’s Death
Criston is killed after being deemed a traitor
When Criston prepares to execute Gunthor Darklyn (father of Steffon, Lord Commander of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard), the Lord of Duskendale tells him that he’s unfit to wear the white cloak, with Criston responding that he’s getting a “better death than a traitor deserves.” In his final words,Lord Darklyn remarks to Criston that “[his death] will come in kind,”implying that the Lord Commander of Aegon’s Kingsguard will meet a brutal demise himself. As it turns out, Lord Darklyn isn’t too far off from predictinghow Criston Cole dies inHouse of the Dragon.
After killing Criston in the “Butcher’s Ball,” Team Black decapitates him and carries his severed head on a spear to the First Battle of Tumbleton.
Criston Cole is among the major casualties in the Dance of the Dragons, as he dies in battle soon afterRhaenyra takes King’s Landingfrom Aegon. When traveling to the Reach from Harrenhal, Criston and his weakened host meet Team Black’s forces of Riverlanders and Northmen south of the Gods Eye. While he offers to surrender, Team Black refuses.Criston is then deemed a traitor before being fatally shot by arrows from Red Robb Riversand fellow archers. After killing Criston in the “Butcher’s Ball,” Team Black decapitates him and carries his severed head on a spear to the First Battle of Tumbleton.
I Hate Him, But Criston Cole Puts Game Of Thrones’ Greatest Knight To Shame
Ser Criston Cole has a lot of flaws, but House of the Dragon’s most hated character beats Game of Thrones’ best knight in one major way.
When Will Criston Cole Die In House Of The Dragon?
Criston’s death will arrive before the war comes to an end
Rhaenyra is expected to take King’s Landing at the end ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 or early in season 3. The Butcher’s Ball will likely occur within a few episodes of that event, depending on when the series decides to integrate the Battle of the Gullet, which is seemingly being delayed toHouse of the Dragonseason 3. Since he dies after the Fall of King’s Landing but before Daemon and Aemond’s fatal duel at Harrenhal inFire & Blood, the best currentestimate is that Criston Cole will die about halfway throughHouse of the Dragonseason 3.
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Criston Cole’s Death Is One Of The North’s Biggest House Of The Dragon Moments
The North Becomes More Important As The War Goes On
The rather satisfying death of Criston Cole will be one of the North’s biggest moments inHouse of the Dragon. UnlikeGame of Thrones, which would take place in several locations across Westeros,House of the Dragonhas so far been set mainly in King’s Landing in Dragonstone. There was only a brief Stark cameo in the first season of theGame of Thronesprequel, whereasCregan Stark of Winterfellonly got a couple of lines in season 2’s premiere. However,the Northmen will slowly become more important as the show goes on.
The first half ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 has already expanded the scope of the show, particularly with Damian’s adventures in Harrenhal and the attention given to the Riverlands. As said by Criston Cole himself,“The Riverlands are the key to the war, and Harrenhal is the key to the Riverlands.”Ironically, Ser Criston will meet his fate partially due to his plans of securing Harrenhal and the Riverlands for the greens.Criston Cole’s death will be a major victory for the Winter Wolves and the Rivermenwho supported Team Black.
Not only will Fishfeed be a big moment for the Starks inHouse of the Dragon, but it will also set up Criston Cole’s death right after.
Just before Criston’s death, the Northmen and the Rivermen had already secured Team Black another major victoryin the Battle by the Lakeshore. Also known as Fishfeed, this battle saw the black and green factions coming at each other near the Gods Eye. The Lannisters, initially led by Jason Lannister, made for most of the green army in this battle, whereas Team Black consisted of Starks and lords of the Riverlands. Not only will Fishfeed be a big moment for the Starks inHouse of the Dragon, but it will also set up Criston Cole’s death shortly after.
Criston Cole’s Beheading Will Shockingly Reverse A Horrifying Game Of Thrones Death
Apart from the final season,Game of Throneswas usually not very kind to the Starks. Perhaps the biggest example of it is the fate of Robb Stark, the “Young Wolf,” who was beheaded and had his body paraded by the Freys and the Lannisters following the Red Wedding. The Starks' enemies even replaced Robb’s head with the one from his direwolf. InHouse of the Dragon, however, House Stark will be luckier. In fact,Ser Criston’s death will shockingly reverse Robb Stark’s.Here, the Northmen and the Riverland lords will behead Criston and parade his head on a stick.
The Curse Of Harrenhal Explained & How It Affects Game Of Thrones
The largest castle in Westeros is also one of its most dangerous, but is the curse of Harrenhal real in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon?
Whereas Robb Stark was an overall popular character who was a lot of people’s favorite, Criston Cole’s horrifying death will surely not leave many people disappointed.Game of Throneswas great at giving “villains” and disliked characters satisfying deaths, and it should be no different inHouse of the Dragon.Criston Cole’s death will also be a major moment story-wise, as the character has been one of the pillars of the show since its first episode. Once Ser Criston dies, the war will be coming to an end.
Despite briefly serving as Hand of the King after the war, Cregan Stark refuses to be one of Aegon III’s regents.
Plenty ofA Song of Ice and Fireconflicts eventually come down to Southern houses meeting houses from the North in the battlefield, including the Dance of the Dragons. Interestingly, an argument can be made that Cregan Stark was the realwinner of the Dance of the Dragons. The Lord of Winterfell eventually helps rebuild the kingdom after the war as Aegon III’s hand in what became known as the “Hour of the Wolf.” This should be the Stark’s biggest moment inHouse of the Dragonalongside the land battles and Ser Criston’s death.
House of the Dragon
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House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
