Criston Cole believes he’s been wronged by Rhaenyra, who has broken his moral compass. Although he initially thinks he must pay for this misdoing with his life, Alicent steps in to show him that revenge is a better answer to his prayers.
In HOTD Ep 6, he is still by the queen’s side ten years later. Has Criston aligned himself with Alicent? Why? What does he stand to gain from it?
Criston Cole has now become Alicent’s Sworn Protector and an ally in her quest to make Aegon II the next heir. They both perceive Rhaenyra as their common enemy, and Criston stands to gain power if he continues supporting Alicent.
In HOTD Ep 5, we see that Criston and Alicent both feel like Rhaenyra has deceived them. The former feels scorned because the princess rejects his marriage proposal, while the latter feels betrayed by Rhaenyra’s non-admission of having slept with someone.
They both see Rhaenyra as someone who is unfit for the throne and a threat overall. While Criston was content giving up his life to end the ordeal, Alicent stopped him at the last minute. In Ep 6, it seems like she has spent the last ten years fueling his anger.
How Alicent and Criston Take Down Rhaenyra
As Alicent does not have Viserys on her side, she will need as many allies as she can gather. Besides her father Otto and the Master of Whispers, Larys, Criston is another important player she needs on her team.
Criston’s bitterness towards Rhaenyra means he’ll not hesitate to go to any lengths to destroy her. The derogatory way he talks about her and the cruelty he imposes on her children during training is just the tip of the iceberg.
He is known to be one of the strongest men in battle, at times even taking down the likes of Daemon Targaryen. So not only is he a formidable fighter, but the training he’ll impart to Aegon II will also be invaluable.
One of his wicked ploys will also unfold when King Viserys I dies. Rhaenyra and her family will be at Dragonstone at the time, and Alicent and Criston will conspire to keep the King’s death a secret until they crown Aegon II as the new king.
His direct defiance of King Viserys’ orders will earn him the name, “Kingmaker.”
It doesn’t stop here. As per the books, Criston will repeatedly preach the propaganda of Rhaenyra’s kids being illegitimate heirs and will kill or arrest any person supporting Rhaenyra (starting with Lord Lyman Beesbury).
He will go on to lead battles for Alicent and Aegon II, and even become Hand of the King someday. Ultimately, Ser Criston Cole will be the definition of “hell hath no fury like a lover scorned.”
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
No Comments on How the Criston-Alicent Alliance Makes Matters Worse for Rhaenyra