Ser Criston Cole finally snaps in House of the Dragon Episode 5
In the House of the Dragon episode 5, Ser Criston Cole finally shouts. He reaches his breaking point and does something really violent and gruesome at Princess Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon’s wedding celebrations which we’ll explore later. The episode ends with Ser Criston Cole and Queen Alicent essentially becoming allies. This means that Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn protector is no longer by her side and will prove to be another thorn in her path to the Iron Throne.
Ser Criston Cole proposes marriage
The Targaryens were returning from high tides after arranging the marriage between Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor Velaryon. That’s when Ser Criston Cole puts it all on the line and tells Rhaenyra how he feels. He wants to run away with her, away from all responsibilities and duties and fight his way to freedom. After becoming free, they could also marry and live a happy life. However, Rhaenyra refuses it. She tells him that she is the Crown and that she cannot trade this life for what he suggested.
Rhaenyra then told her that she and Laenor had come to an agreement that would allow them both to pursue their own interests while being married. She suggests that he could continue to be her lover. Naturally, for a man who had broken his vow and disgraced himself, this was quite a devastating blow. He felt reduced to a whore and began to regret his actions. After all, he had sworn chastity and the night with Rhaenyra had soiled his white coat. Fans have certainly never seen Ser Criston so frustrated and outraged, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
An honest but bitter man
In this episode, Queen Alicent embarks on an eventful journey of its own. She calls Ser Criston in the hopes that as Princess Rhaenyra’s sworn protector, he will know what happened the night Daemon returned. While Alicent tries to interrogate him about Rhaenyra and Daemon’s banter and the rumors that followed. Ser Criston took her to talk about him and the princess. However, he is still an honest and honorable man and cannot lie to the queen. This position is also the result of his bitterness towards Rhaenyra. It is also a sign that he will no longer protect her and her honor. He tells Queen Alicent the whole truth while asking for mercy for himself. Instead of being tortured, all he wants is a quick death.
Wedding celebrations turn violent and bloody
During the wedding festivities, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth notices Ser Criston Cole and his looks of disdain towards Rhaenyra and Laenor. He understands that he is Rhaenyra’s lover. However, he goes further and approaches Ser Criston. Joffrey’s words once again make him feel like a whore and he realizes that’s what he’s become in the eyes of others too. Overwhelmed with frustration, anger, guilt and regret, Ser Criston Cole finally broke down. He attacked Joffrey Lonmouth in the middle of the festivities and hit his face with his helmet, killing him in a gruesome way.
What’s next for Ser Criston Cole?
The last time we see him is when he decides to kill himself. House of the Dragon definitely handled their character arc very well in this episode. Ser Criston is a noble and honorable man and wouldn’t turn into a barbarian animal for nothing. His suicide attempt also shows how much he had lost confidence in himself and knew the seriousness of his actions. With each passing scene, Ser Criston’s pain, shame, anger, and sense of betrayal grew in front of the viewers. In the future, he will most certainly support the greens or rather Aegon and Alicent. In fact, his words will essentially cause the Dance of the Dragons. Unfortunately, we probably won’t see a confrontation between him and Rhaenyra, as the series will move forward in time. Nonetheless, Ser Criston Cole will be an integral part of the House of the Dragon storyline and that was just the beginning for him.
