WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
Ser Criston Cole has absurdly gotten away without any serious consequences for his brutal actions throughoutHouse of the Dragon, but season 2 confirms that this issue is finally coming to an end. Considering Harwin Strong was sent back to Harrenhal after getting into a fight with Cole in season 1, it’s been quiteridiculous that Cole’s standings only improved in King’s Landing after committing two unjustifiable, heinous murdersin front of multiple people. This prosperous outcome has greatly contributed toCriston Cole beingHouse of the Dragon’s most hated character, but, thankfully, his lucky streak is finally over.
After Rhaenyra rejects his proposal to run away to Essos, an angryCriston Cole kills Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, the paramour of Laenor Velaryon, by publicly beating him to death at Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding. Despite this public display of violence from a Kingsguard king, Cole’s return after the ten-year time jump reveals that he was promoted to Alicent’s sworn shield. When King Viserys dies soon after,Cole kills an innocent man yet again, murdering Lyman Beesbury in cold blood for accusing the Greens of treason. After a decade without consequences, Criston Cole’s crimes are finally coming back to bite him.
Criston Is Finally Facing Consequences For Killing Lord Beesbury In Season 1
House Beesbury Has Raised Arms Against The Hightowers In Revenge
Team Green may often tout themselves as being more righteous than Team Black, but when a member of King Viserys I Targaryen’s Small Council was killed right in front of their eyes, they did nothing. Lyman stood up after realizing that the Greens intended to usurp Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne with Aegon, so Criston Cole responded by fatally smashing Lord Beesbury’s head on his stone ball marker. WhileCole got away with this murder amid the chaos of King Aegon II’s coronation,House of the Dragonseason 2 reveals a negative repercussion for this crime.
Rather than having unified powers in the Reach, Cole’s crimes have caused chaos in the Hightowers’ own domain.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6, Alicent asks about where Otto Hightower is and if he’s responded to her letters. Maester Orwyle responds that Otto can’t be reached now that war has eurpted in the Reach, explaining that“House Beesbury has raised arms against the Hightower host. Retribution for their lord’s demise.”Orwyle is referring to the family blaming Lyman Beesbury’s murder on the Hightowers, leading them to join Team Black and take up Rhaenyra’s cause. Rather than having unified powers in the Reach, Cole’s crimes have caused chaos in the Hightowers’ own domain.
One Alicent & Criston Cole Moment In HOTD Season 2, Episode 6 Has A Much Deeper Meaning
Criston Cole and Alicent Hightower share a prolonged glance in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6. There’s more to this than what you see.
Criston Cole Won’t Really Be Punished For Breaking His Kingsguard Oaths In House Of The Dragon
Criston Doesn’t Face Direct Retribution For His Crimes
Though Cole is finally facing some indirect consequences for one of his murders, he won’t face any direct punishment for killing Lyman or generally breaking his Kingsguard oaths. Rather, if followingFire & Blood, Cole will simply continue his war campaign as he engages in various battles around the Riverlands. Of course,Criston Cole’s deathwill eventually arrive during the war at the Butcher’s Ball, whereTeam Black fights his weakened host, kills Cole for being a traitor, and decapitates himbefore parading his head on a spear to their next battle.
7
8
August 4
However, theHouse of the Dragoncharacter’sdeath is a result of war and Team Black having the upper hand, not Cole being punished for killing innocents and betraying his Kingsguard vows. Though those actions would seemingly condemn him to death, the context of his demise is unconnected to them or any vengeance for his earlier crimes. UnlessHouse of the Dragonadjusts the story to have a Beesbury or Lonmouth be among the archers who fatally shoots him, Criston Cole doesn’t face direct retribution before he dies.
House of the Dragon
Cast
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.
