House Of The Dragon Episode 9 Has Fans Questioning How Much Longer Ser Criston Can Stay Alive
Contains spoilers for "House of the Dragon" Season 1, Episode 9 — "The Green Council"
There is no disputing that most characters in "House of the Dragon" have committed many crimes on more than one occasion. Despite the fan fervor celebrating Matt Smith's portrayal of resident criminal Prince Daemon Targaryen, it should go without saying that you shouldn't kill your wife (via GQ). Daemon wins back much goodwill by being a devoted family man whose support of Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) is beyond reproach.
The same cannot be said for Rhaenyra's scorned lover Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). Over a decade has passed since their single encounter, and yet Ser Criston cannot let go of the slight. Rhaenyra choosing to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms instead of destitute in Essos burned him badly, and he is still out to punish her and her children. Becoming more embittered and violent with each passing episode, somehow, Ser Criston's crimes in "House of the Dragon" Episode 9 have reached new heights. And fans aren't having it.
Ser Criston should probably stop murdering people if he wants to keep his head
First poor Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod) and now Lord Beesbury (Bill Paterson), it seems that there is no one Ser Criston will hesitate to murder. Laenor's (Theo Nate) lover was a tragic loss who simply had the audacity of implying that a knight of the Kingsguard was Rhaenyra's lover. His honor slighted, Ser Criston beat the innocent man to death during a wedding celebration and was only saved by young Alicent's (Emily Carey) kindness. Lord Beesbury was similarly punished just for remaining loyal to Rhaenrya's claim. After defending her right to the Iron Throne and calling the small council traitors, Ser Criston kills the aging lord with a simple shove. Fans on Reddit note how if anything, Ser Criston should be on extremely thin ice at this point.
"That's the second time he's brutally killed someone in front of other very important and influential people, and got away with it," pointed out u/Toto_-. Though Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Lord Commander Westerling (Graham McTavish) both urge him to put away his sword, once again Ser Criston meets no repercussions.
"I really don't understand how he's allowed to do that," echoed u/bobbipinnz. "I know he's the queens head guard or whatever but that mean he gets to kill members of the council with impunity?" Fans have united in their Criston Cole hatred and are simply counting the days until he gets what he deserves.