Alicent Hightower & Criston Cole: House Of The Dragon's Ultimate Trauma Bond

[@bamig8063]

Its funny that Daemon is an objectively far worse person than Christon, yet he is far more beloved.

[@owenleal]

Thats because Daemon is just cooler, and is also not a hypocrite. Criston acts like he is a victim to all his circumstances without taking responsibility for his role in them.

[@SpaceMarine500]

@@owenleal It doesn't excuse overlooking that Daemon is a wife murderer, and an incestuous pedophile.

[@owenleal]

@@SpaceMarine500 I didnt say it excuses it. I said that Daemon doesnt pretend that he is a good person, which makes him easier to watch than Criston who constantly believes himself to be a victim when he is as bad as the rest of them.

[@SpaceMarine500]

@@owenleal The stature of his crimes is nowhere near Daemon's.

[@threenumbnuts]

@@SpaceMarine500 Hard disagree as far as book Criston goes. As Roderick Dustin puts it, "there's tens o' thousands dead on your account". Daemon's a piece of shit in a lot of ways, but he didn't start a civil war when Viserys passed him over as heir. And he probably could've pulled that off with Corlys and Rhaenys's backing.

[@hamzaorakzai3490]

The reaction towards Criston Cole from the "Daemyra" faction is one of the reasons why I gravitate more towards The Greens.... he's pretty much the only major character not of noble birth and had to fight tooth and nail to get where he is, thus taking his vows and duties very seriously. The fact that he turned his back on the most important thing in his life for Rhaenyra's sake only to be shunned by her shattered his worldview and I believe that's why he gravitates more towards Alicent, not because they could bond over their mutual hatred of Rhaenyra but because he sees an opportunity to redeem himself and gain her approval

[@ingolfringolfrson1577]

Perfectly said

[@thekage100]

Sooooo well said! And the hypocrisy of Cole being awful, but Demon is finee??? What?

[@Breathefreemylove]

What did he do for Rhaenyra’s sake? Have sex with her? Do you think that was pity sex? Lol I think not

[@TimeandMonotony]

Exactly, same here. The hypocrisy from the Daemon/Daemyra/Black side of fandom is astonishing.

[@francisedward8713]

In the words of Daemon (but about Criston , not Ottto), “he’s a C*UNT”. I’m pretty neutral (neither on the side of the Blacks or Greens) but I cannot stand Criston Cole and I cannot understand how anyone can like him.

[@inelouw]

I see a lot of similarities in the connection between Alicent and Criston, and the relationship between Jaime and Brienne. They all start out having this sense of honour and duty and TRULY believing in it, and then gradually becoming more and more cynical and angry, but having their faith somewhat restored and reinvigorated by the other, although this time tempered by reality instead of being based in naivete.

[@komal146]

I wrote something similar but couldn't word it properly.

[@thalmoragent9344]

I like that a lot actually These 2 wanna do their duty well and have each other as mutual friends

[@LydiaIsSweet]

Exactly what I thought of!! Jaime over all seems to have had Criston as a little bit of a role model, so it's not too far off. But both pairs' dynamic are very similar (but also different).

[@absolutelyflawless5173]

I never actually made this connection but now I can't unsee it. Good observation there. I love this show :)

[@Emma88178]

Except Jaime is WAY worse than him. The show whitewashed him. In the books, he's quite horrible.

[@jameer7565]

If the roles were reversed and a prince did this to a servant let's be real he'd be considered a r@pist especially after Cole said stop and no.

[@bryantblalock4173]

Right and would get into no trouble! Like how Aegon didn’t get in trouble for doing exactly that!

[@c.w.8200]

It's so disturbing that I've read hot takes about how he's a toxic man who's pissed because he can't control her?! He's not entitled or angry, he's just shattered when he realizes that this momentous breaking of his oath means nothing to her, he's a toy for her. Toxic masculinity is a real problem but some people want to dismiss everything a man feels and does as toxic now.

[@jameer7565]

@@c.w.8200 Exactly, she made him a human dildo by convincing him to risk his life. Then when he's not convenient he's dismissed. Anyone would be upset.

[@nataliaperez6203]

The worst thing about HOTD are the stupid fans who are fanatics of team black and group all the green characters as bloodsucking villains. Yes, many of them are hateable but they are very well written and complex, even Aegon. Honestly, I am siding with Team Green cause they are so interesting

[@detrik01]

You'd be surprised how many IPs have a dedicated group of fanatics who will twist themselves into pretzels to either absolve or justify the actions of what is clearly the antagonist of the story. This whole Team Black discourse reminds me alot of a certain Fire Emblem game

[@nataliaperez6203]

@@Captain_Insano_nomercy exactly! the point is that war is useless and both sides were flawed

[@michaelnkomphela8231]

Team green have so many interesting people . Team black? Borrrrrrrrrrring.

[@officialyoungmari]

@@michaelnkomphela8231 this is factually incorrect from the team that shames ppl for having sex 😭😭

[@michaelnkomphela8231]

@@officialyoungmari lol factually incorrect? Cope harder.

[@sirarthurofwinterfell282]

Thank you for not taking a biased stance when it comes to the greens pretty much 90% of people see them as wicked villains when really they’re mistreated people in a complex society Who are only trying to do what they think is right

[@sseraphim2818]

What are the right things they try to do?

[@sirarthurofwinterfell282]

@@sseraphim2818

[@sirarthurofwinterfell282]

@@sseraphim2818 by all the laws of the society they live in Aegon is the rightful King and Rhaenrya is a usurper who abuses her position to get away with things The average person would be accused of treason for doing

[@crazyeight6782]

But they are quite self-serving.

[@davosseaworth9479]

​@@sseraphim2818like it or not the succession rules were pretty much decided by the Council of 101 when they chose Viserys over Rhaenys so they are going with it by the book Viserys chose Rhaenyra as his heir yes and every noble swore a vow to her tough mostly to keep Daemon off the throne Rhaenyra marrying Daemon brought him back as a problem Remember Daemon hates Otto what you he would with him? He would execute him right away and he would also push for the death of Aegon, Haeleana, Aemond and Daeron also Rhaenyra Is corrupt asf and pushing to put her bastards on the throne i am sorry but Rhaenyra is truly Maegor with tits

[@scorpioj3]

Also they compare Daemon as a malewife or feminist to Criston when Daemon killed his first wife for his niece whom he liked since she was 14 (yikes), and choked his groomed wife because of taking a decision he didn't like. They hate Criston for that sexist comments when Daemon has done more sexist things. I don't care if they like Daemon but they shouldn't be a hypocrite and get under the moral rug when it comes to the greens but not the blacks.

[@JackClockerinos]

Not to mention his "sexist" comments were him calling her basically what a bunch of characters call each-other throughout the story. If he's sexist for calling Rhanerya a cunt, so is basically everyone else in this franchise, and it isn't fair to only call him out for it

[@chiefpurrfect8389]

It's kinda funny to me that despite the Dance clearly being a personal conflict masquerading as a political one, fans will assign anachronistic politics for these characters to champion even though they clearly don't apply to them and none of this has been politically motivated anyway. Rhaenyra and her ilk are now "feminists"- even though they never fight for the betterment of any disempowered social group, Rhaenyra is the only woman they ever stand for- and Rhaenyra herself upholds the patriarchy just as much as Alicent does when it suits her. And you know what? The showrunners are largely responsible imo. Apparently they went around calling- with seemingly no self-awareness- Rhaenyra a "pUnK rOcK pRiNcEsS" (being a spoiled, bratty royal with no regard for the rules because they have never applied to her due to her father shielding her from the consequences of her own actions all her life might just be the furthest thing away from being "punk" omg) and Alicent something along the lines of "tradwife" or "trumper"- as if everything she has ever done was out of her own volition and speaks to her personal political opinions, like she wasn't forced into the bed of an elder man as a teenager by her own father and therefore thrust into a court that her father never prepared her to survive in. Like she wasn't forced to bear the children of a man who never truly loved or respected her (or the children she had with him). Like he didn't show her, time and time again, that he will always choose Rhaenyra over her and their children even when physical harm is involved and that she couldn't rely on him for their protection. Like her children ascending to the throne wouldn't have meant that all her suffering wouldn't have been for nothing. That dichotomy is just... so reductive to the story they are adapting. And big part of the fandom- interested in engaging with Westeros as no more than an escapist fantasy with dragons and cool medieval aesthetics- will eat that up, because dumbing down the moral complexity of it makes it all the easier to enjoy it in that way. I have never been Team Green and I don't intent to be, but I have never looked at Team Black as unfavorably as when HoTD started and the fandom started dishing out the most braindead of takes in favor of whitewashing them.

[@monicavelazquezrodriguez3035]

​@@chiefpurrfect8389 YESSS. Completely agree on everything, especially on the part of painting Rhaenyra as a feminiist punk, when people who believe that doesn't stop to think that punk focuses on fighting injustices, not personal privileges (apart that has nothing to do with the moral code in westeros). I think the most "punk" character in the show is Myssandia, she uses their knowledge and the people that exploit her to better up her position (aka survival) AND to stop the explotation of others.

[@khfan4life365]

The whole Daemon vs Cole thing reminds me of the phrase “actions speak louder than words”. While Cole has said some sexist things (which he instantly apologized for), he never hurt any woman and even told Aemond that every woman is the “image of the Mother”. Meanwhile, Daemon is very sexist in his actions and sees women as tools and toys (e.g. Mysaria, Laena, Rhea, hell, even Rhaenyra).

[@greenapples1149]

Speaking facts here. Some double standards some watchers seem to have when it comes to those two characters.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

The way you nail these characters. Your videos and reviews are the absolute best on HotD and GoT.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

I used to get so frustrated explaining these things to my uncle because he would nuh uh me to death. His wife and I try to gang up on him because we understand the greens. His wife actually brought up that he cannot consent to a relationship with Rhaenyra. So, it's awesome to hear these thoughts echoed. Now, I just send your videos to him.

[@olgierdodimm234]

I always believe that Sir Criston is somehow a parallel to Jaime Lannister. A knight who in protecting his vows broke many others and ultimately did many things who the society of Westeros would qualify as honorless. In Feast of Crows Arys Oakheart talks about Criston with a negative lense, but Jaime reads about him and takes inspirations in his work. Cole wasn't the perfect knight but after all he was remember like a kingsmaker. In the same way the dead of Criston is a reflection of the honor of Westeros and how is an excuse for the high lords. Criston offered to surrender if they spare the life of his men's, then he offered to figth 3v1 and they kill him off by arrows. He acted honorably but that honor meant nothing in the end because of the high lords actions and decisions. In someway I feel like the show made a huge error in the portrayel of Cole. In the books he was a treat because he was a good warrior, loyal and a kingmaker.

[@kikima258]

I agree on the protrayal of criston in the show i realy liked the direction they took with his character in the begining but after the timeskip they failed to show how dangerouse he is sposed to be he was already lord commander before vicerys's death but the show changed that for some reason and i can't see how he is sposed to gain the nickname kingmaker baised on season 1. I truly hope they will fix this in the upcoming season

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

Criston's face of disgust everytime he looked at Viserys was my favorite subtext of the show lmao, especially when his bumass called Alicent Aemma. That's How a Father That Stepped Up Looks At A Deadbeat Dad 😭. Does Criston see Alicent as this sort of a pure religious figure? The one he owes his life to? The one who gave him a new purpose when all was lost? His new vow? The saving grace of the soiled knight? Because I think catholic guilt is the greens’ sexiest trait im just saying lol. He worships her 😩😭💚. An unconditional love that Queen Maegora Targaryen will never know.

[@lou372]

Criston is constantly contemplating regicide and I don't think we give him enough credit for not murdering Viserys :)))

[@komal146]

Lmao that's funny but a lot accurate. But seriously, how do the stanch blacks in fandom love Viserys and call him a poor traumatized guy meanwhile ignoring Criston or Alicent's trauma?

[@scorpioj3]

Criston tryna make Viserys explode with his mind 😭

[@fortheloveofcats2462]

Viserys was extremely ill, high on medications and suffering from dementia, but hey, it's totally his fault that he called Alicent as Aemma.

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

@@fortheloveofcats2462 To be fair, Viserys' feelings about the other side of his family but self evident even before he was going senile.

[@DarkKing009]

“Treason…is only a word. When two princes fight for a chair where only one may sit, great lords and common men alike must choose. And when the battle’s done, the victors will be hailed as loyal men and true, whilst those who were defeated will be known forevermore as rebels and traitors. That was my fate.”

[@Nina-uy1eo]

If Rhae was a male, everybody will hate him. She used Sir Cole for her sexual thirst and tried to make him her sidechick. When he refused, she moved onto the next. If a male character did that everyone will hate him.

[@jameer7565]

True plus he also very clearly told her to stop. Imagine how the reversed situation would look.

[@Nina-uy1eo]

@@jameer7565 everyone will scream RAPPEE!

[@jjh2456]

I mean look at the audience’s reaction to Aegon. Aegon and Rhaenyra are hella similar in many ways.

[@chrisrubin6445]

did anyone hate Bronn for using women for sex and then abandoning them? Theon? Book Tyrion? Anguy? Tom-o-Sevens?

[@sugarpearl9781]

@@chrisrubin6445YES! All of these men were bashed for their actions

[@CuntyMisanthrope]

They're both ruled and overshadowed by the social expectations pushed on them. Alicent represents redemption in Cole's eyes, as you said. Despite him not being able to love up to the expectations, he's still worthy, because Queen Alicent, an example of perfect morality, sees him as such. Alicent clings to Cole because he's made her realize that, despite not always being able to live up to the expectations, not always being 'honorable' doesn't make you a bad person that doesn't believe in anything strongly, which allows her to go easy on herself and not feel like a fraud when she slips and doesn't act like the epitome of 'good womanhood' under the eyes of the Seven. She's ambitious, which is seen as a manly quality. She wants her blood on the throne, and that doesn't make her dishonorable, just like Cole sleeping with Rhaenyra doesn't make him dishonorable.

[@concept5631]

Well said

[@TheGoodLuc]

Cole sleeping with Rhaenyra DOES make him dishonorable, but Rhaenyra is also to blame.

[@CuntyMisanthrope]

@@TheGoodLuc I'm using honor for a proxy to morally upstanding. That's what honor is in Westeros.

[@jorgerangel2390]

It is beautiful to know that we can create characters that feel like people

[@bass9052]

they are agents of a lower dimensional simulation base on ours. Of course, we share many properties.

[@LydiaIsSweet]

It is funny how the show runners, by framing, can twist Targ royals setting different precedents for people like Alicent and Cole (and forcing others to sacrifice things they don't have to) as something "protagonistic". That they make general audience think Daemon is the "valiant, charming warrior" and that him and Rhaenyra are these lovers against all odds (oh so romantic) meanwhile one used her subordinates for irresponsible fun and managed to bring them all into mortal danger for it, and the other killed his ex wife with a rock. And then they have sex on the funeral of his other ex wife, get married right in front of their grieving kids... they are incestuous and perverted in every way. But people eat it up. The show was trying to set it up as if Rhaenyra is this underdog, when really it's Alicent and Criston. They are so much more compelling and I find their relationship much more grounded and just complex. It is disappointing to see how narrow and downright problematic the discourse has been of this show and that "fans" have tried to center every other character's actions around Rhaenyra- such egomaniacal and delusional takes. Alicent is " a cunt " because she was used by older men to grasp power, Criston is " an incel " for rejecting to be someone's sex slave (how does that make sense? we will never know) and being angry at said person for viewing him as a means to an end. People are mad they have some integrity left to even feel indignant at all! If anything, by this world setting's standards, I find what strength and solace Alicent and Criston managed to find within each other a lot more wholesome and romantic than any of that other stuff.

[@notyetawomen5257]

I agree, I don’t understand how team black can view team green evil, while their team aren’t saints. I’m not sure why I’m bothering to defend team green while team black are unable to comprehend logic or facts. I really do hate woke culture. Anyway, I Oddly enough ship Alicent and Criston but at the same time I love their pure honourable relationship, and I don’t want that to change.

[@chiefpurrfect8389]

I think big part of the problem is that a lot of fans don't seem to be willing to interact with this story in the way GRRM intended them to. I think what GRRM intended with the Dance of Dragons was a critique of the kind of tribalism these fans are gleefully engaging with. Like the whole point of the Dance for me was how stupid personal choices, petty grievances and self-absorbed ambitions between royals ended up causing the bloodiest conflict in Westerosi history where thousands of people died for literally no reason. Like if you consume THIS story of ALL stories, and are still like "omgggg Team Black did nothing wrongggg it's all those damn Hightower's faulttt my babies Rhaenyra and Daemon are goals xD rawr" you are clearly missing the point and blatantly refusing to engage with the complexity of this story. Interesting characters all around to be sure, but none of these people are meant to be seen as aspirational. They are all flawed people who are trying achieve what they want/look after their tribe- and that includes the Greens. The only problem is that most fans of the Greens I've seen don't pretend Alicent is some kind of visionary, but TeAm bLaCk is acting like Rhaenyra is the second coming of Christ. I think whereas GRRM wanted to tell this complex political thriller as a critique of tribalism and feudalism (among other things) with his works, a lot of fans aren't interested in engaging with his world beyond its aesthetics and as escapist fantasy.

[@notyetawomen5257]

@@chiefpurrfect8389 I think most fans of team Black are either young or those really extreme liberals that preach freedom of speech but they literally attacked anyone with a different opinion then theirs. Team Green I noticed has more mature people then team black, they know how politics and even medieval systems work, and how it’s problematic to think “kings are above the law” or “Targaryens can do anything”.

[@chiefpurrfect8389]

@@notyetawomen5257 I mean idk why you have to assign specific politics onto people just cause you disagree with them. Particularly because Rhaenyra is so far from being a feminist or progressive it's not even funny and people with these politics (who actually understand them) are in my experience extremely critical of the girlbossification of Rhaenyra. And bear in mind- that doesn't mean people can't like her, just that they need to stop acting like she's some kind of visionary feminist icon. For one, does she ever advocate for women as a social class? Does she ever- with all the power and influence she holds- make any meaningful reforms for the betterment of women or any marginalized group within Westerosi society, even if she doesn't personally have skin in the game (like Alyssane did for the women of the North)? No, she does not. Rhaenyra's "progressive politics" begin and end with her ascending to the throne. Because for two, she is shown to uphold traditions and laws that favor boys just as much as Alicent as long as they favor HER boys. To me Rhaenyra's "feminism" is encapsulated perfectly in the scene where Rhaenys is giving her a reality check on what to expect from the succession she has ahead of her. Rhaenys has been where she is now and is trying to counsel her- she tells her that she'll fail because the system is built that way- it will always favor men over them. And Rhaenyra mockingly pins Rhaenys' own oppression on her, turning this systemic issue into a personal failure instead- from which she considers herself exempt, because Rhaenyra is special and not at all like the other girls who came before her. "They denied *you* Princess Rhaenys, Queen Who Never Was. They bent the knee to *me* and called me Heir to the Throne". That scene told me all I needed to know honestly. Also, it should go without saying that having empathy for Alicent as opposed to treating her like she's pure evil- a character who was abused and/or manipulated by everyone around her since she was a child of 14 and is just trying to survive and protect her children the best way she can think of- is, in fact, a pretty feminist thing to do in my book. And again, that doesn't mean people can't dislike her and criticize her, ofc they can and *should* in several instances. But acting like she’s this inherently morally bankrupt master manipulator who eats puppies for breakfast is just... ugh. In my experience the people going "yaaaaas queeeen, slayyy" over Rhaenyra are the kind of people who engage with HoTD as fantasy-themed girlboss wish-fulfillment and aren't all that politically minded beyond a superficial level. Much like Rhaenyra, they use the aesthetics of progressive politics to evangelize her, nevermind that she's not actually progressive if you think about for more than 5 seconds.

[@notyetawomen5257]

@@chiefpurrfect8389 I’m not assigning any real life politics to any characters of GRM , just team black fans, as they remind me of aggressive woke activists that have tantrums at the smallest things and throw the words like racist and sexist around without understanding the meaning of those words. I’m not sure where you get the idea that I think Alicent is anti-feminist where as I know is not the truth. Alicent trying her best in a shitty situation is one of those reasons why I like her. I never said she wasn’t a strong female character in fact she’s a breath of fresh air (as she embodies a strong soft feminine character that isn’t wielding sword but a knife) compared to what we get from marvel 😒. The characterisation of Rhaernya, Alicent and Rhaenys were done really well. I see them as strong characters.

[@aimal666]

Incredible video! I rarely see Criston get any character analysis, despite his being a well-crafted, deeply internal character. I'm particularly drawn to his relationship with Alicent's children and his (perhaps) romantic feelings for Alicent, regardless of whether they're reciprocated. To me, he is content in the position he holds now not just because he respects Alicent and feels he is finally living up to his internal ideals, but despite being a Kingsguard knight, he has - against all odds - found himself a family. I also took note of how the show has made it a point to demonstrate people's dismissiveness of Criston, despite him having clawed his way to the top ranks on nothing but merit. And here is the queen, putting her faith in him. Her children, confiding in him and sharing their deepest desires with him. Helaena, who has a hard time being touched, holds onto Criston when Rhaenys stares down the Greens. It's subtly and deftly done.

[@DarkKing009]

"The best and the worst. And a few who were a bit of both. Like Ser Criston Cole the Kingmaker." Jaime Lannister

[@normtrooper4392]

A lot of people don't see Criston as a victim and I think that's another reason why I tend to favour the greens more than the blacks. Even though really, the point of the story is that the system makes monsters of us all

[@Binks129]

He’s not a victim though. He wanted to be with Rhaenyra. He wanted to abandon his post and have her abandon her duty just to make him feel better about himself. Here’s literally what happened Rhaenyra: So you know how my father has been forcing me to be in a political marriage for the past few years right? Well now he has decided I have to marry my cousin… but silver lining. He’s gay so it’s just for politics and we can still be what we are. Happy. Criston: Are you calling me a whore?!? What about my honor? My Cloak??? Had he just sat back, relaxed, and waited til she was officially Queen she could have… as Queen pardoned his “treason” remove him from the Queensguard and Marry him. It wouldn’t be the first time in Westeros history and if any Lord or small folk has a problem they can voice their complaints to Syrax.

[@tinahs8269]

That last line...well stated

[@scottiye1452]

@@Binks129cap he never told him he was gay

[@Binks129]

@@scottiye1452 It’s well known by everyone in the kingdom that he’s gay. That was part of the reason for the marriage to stop the “rumors”

[@juanprada4410]

THANK YOU! When the series premiered I saw people refer to Sir Criston as Sir Fatal Attraction. from my perspective, he is the example of someone who believed in honor, similar to Ned Statr and similar to Him, realized how "Game of Thrones" works, even without being a participant (thanks to Rhaenyra involving him ). The truth is that Rhaenyra's immaturity in her youth was what turned 2 of her most loyal allies into 2 of her greatest opponents.

[@thomasadjado4163]

For me, Alicent never cheated Viserys. She is a straight woman, honest and above all faithful. On the other hand, she is aware of Ser Criston's feelings towards her. but her righteousness and her principles mean that she will not consider anything with him

[@scorpioj3]

Criston's feelings towards Alicent are more religious, he saw her as his savior and would do anything for her to gain her favor. Really weird but poetic.

[@thomasadjado4163]

@@scorpioj3 exactly. I think the same thing

[@thomasadjado4163]

@@MariaM11 and ?

[@MariaM11]

@@thomasadjado4163 that isnt very faithful to Viserys or her principles to say the least 🤣

[@thomasadjado4163]

@@MariaM11 She sold pictures of her feet but she didn't sleep with Larys. She never broke her vows. She managed to maintain her integrity and her virtue in a patriarchal system where she had no allies.

[@EmandEms]

The dynamic between these two is easily one of my favorites in the show. Really happy with this analysis!

[@billthebard805]

Trauma bonding is no joke. Their relationship is very dangerous.

[@jt7638]

Thank you for making a great work of art more beautiful. Alicent showing mercy and forgiveness to Ser Cristin from her position as Queen and her making him her sworn shield and thus restoring and enhancing his life purpose deeply enrich the show and its meaning for me.

[@TheKenganKing]

I never liked how everyone calls Cole a hypocrite for telling Aemond to respect women despite calling Rhaenyra a spoiled c word. Like he has reason to hate Rhaenyra doesn't mean he hates all women.

[@HillsAliveYT]

Facts, like I'm not a fan of that particular insult but Rhaenyra literally endangered his life because she was horny so pointing out that she can be a real asshole is more than fair and does not make him the president of the he man woman haters club.

[@sseraphim2818]

@@HillsAliveYT I'm sorry, this take is outlandish. Did she force her to sleep with him? He consented to have sex with her and had a good time while doing so. Rhaenyra would only be an ass if she reported that he dishonoured his white cloak, but she did not. She never told anyone, but he did. He is the definition of a woman hater because after proposing to run away, which she said no to he jeopardized her in one of the worst ways. She's not an a hole for rejecting a man who had meager offerings. This man not only holds a torch for her after all these years, he bullies her children because they're hers. He is a woman hater in every sense of the word.

[@EastWatchQ]

He literally has no reason. He’s not a victim

[@alexielshadowangel]

@@HillsAliveYT I believe if the SAME EXACT SCENARIO happened BUT with REVERSED genders, a woman who vowed chastity, breaks that vow with a man, then the man leaves her and treated her as just a one night stand, people would be OUTRAGED at the one who treated the other as such. But when a WOMAN does it to a MAN who vowed chastity, the man gets blamed and called an incel and misogynist, etc. for rightfully being angry. So why is it horrible for a MAN to do what Rhaenyra did but if a WOMAN does it she's #GIRLBOSS and applauded for her open sexuality? 🤔

[@concept5631]

@@HillsAliveYT Your video singlehandedly changed my perception of Cole. Very cool.

[@elisebrodeur-jacobs5215]

He is an ideal Cristin Cole, this show was cast beautifully ☺️

[@HillsAliveYT]

Yeah he's obviously a smoke show but when he had his scene where Rhaenyra turned him down I was like damn, dude is breaking my heart.

[@normtrooper4392]

@@HillsAliveYT 👀

[@thekage100]

Agree!

[@wolfsbanealphas617]

@@HillsAliveYT the actors fir the show are perfect

[@komal146]

I just wished that they aged him a little bit.

[@misskate3815]

Not watching HOTD, but I feel like people REALLY do not get that GRRM’s work is a critique of how fantasy treats the feudal system as A-OK and cool. Recently there’s been some anti-Wildling discourse on tumblr. And it’s fascinating to me to watch ppl who accept folks like Stannis and Tyrion as complex characters with both flaws and merits act like the Wildlings are monsters for responding with violence to the violence enacted upon them by the greater Westerosi at large. The implication is always that if the Wildlings settled down like good little peasants and did what the strong, pure blooded nobility told them to, all their problems would be solved. And I don’t get how ppl think that’s possible, when even ppl like Alicent and Cole and Ned Stark and many other elites in Westeros suffer under the social system that they, supposedly, have so much power in. It’s the system that’s the problem!

[@theduxabides9274]

"The implication is always that if the Wildlings settled down like good little peasants" On that note, we KNOW that there are sedentary Wildlings, namely the Thenns; albeit the show assassinated them as a people by turning them into stereotypical evil barbarians and literally the polar opposite of how George portrays them. The Thenns are almost a time capsule of the First Men society of old, likely with a more customary law based government based on a 'natural aristocracy' if you will, versus the society of strict, negatively hierarchical law and coercive violence that the Andals brought to the north.

[@misskate3815]

@@theduxabides9274 tbh, I just meant that ppl thought they should assimilate, 😂, I one hundred percent forgot they were Hunter gatherers for a sec.

[@theduxabides9274]

@@misskate3815 No worries; what I'm getting at is that the Wildlings live as they do largely because the Andalization of the north drove many First Men to live north of the wall ad a means of retaining their culture and way of life

[@5704521912]

I think to many fans want to pick a side for everything. I believe a lot of the wars and conflicts we read or watched didn’t have a “good side.” It was just a bunch of traumatized and scared people.

[@samhinnant4416]

The reason no one understoods Ser Criston is that in our modern world no one undertands honor and virtue. He tried to live his life to a code and when he made the mistake of sleeping with rhanera he felt immediate shame.

[@soja8044]

the amount of love i have for your content and the work you put into it. Thank you for your channel it's always so interesting

[@LadyDreamfyre]

When I saw the Rhaenyra/Criston scene, I could only see it as coercion. Criston repeatedly said "no" to Rhaenyra but she wouldn't let him deny her. Their later scene when he offers her to run away is him having a mental breakdown. Because he's realising that what was a horrifying and traumatising experience to him was a Tuesday night for her. He probably doesn't even want to run away with Rhaenyra. He's just having a huge mental breakdown, and it's so tragic to see. I've been through this exact situation, where you're begging the person who hurt you for something as simple as acknowledgement because they couldn't be bothered to treat you with respect. His relationship with Alicent is everything they could both hope for. As a knight, he has a gentle and forgiving queen to serve and protect. As a queen, she has a loyal knight ready to protect her anyday and who will always be on her side. Plus, as basically a single mother, she has someone to help her with her children, who will protect them just like she would

[@kikima258]

Some fans take all of theses complexeties and reduce it to criston the incel 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@EastWatchQ]

He literally never said no. She started to undress and he said stop ONCE. Then she took his little arm parts of his armor off looked him in the eyes for a solid 5 seconds then they kissed each other.

[@EastWatchQ]

He is not a victim. And it was stupid of him to think that she would throw a way her RESPONSIBILITY as heir to the throne to go find out where the oranges come from 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@isaacm2374]

I don't know what scene you were watching but that is a reach and an exaggeration on your part. Was there a power dynamic? of course. Any time a royalty or a person of nobility entices a common person to have sex with him/her there is a power imbalance. But that doesn't mean every relationship or sexual encounter is coercive or rape. A lot of people are blurring the line between seducing/enticing someone to have sex which happens in all romantic movies or books to rape. In every day relationship and in marriage we see a man/women that is more in the mood and arousing their partner who is more reluctant to have sex in a playful and seductive way. Are all these encounters rape or sexual assault? I don't think so. Yes Criston was probably conflicted, but he was in conflict with himself on whether he should act on his desires to have sex with a person he secretly loves or breaking his vows. Rhaenyra certainly seduced him but she didn't rape him. If you watched this scene carefully you can actually see he was enjoying the sexual encounter.

[@EastWatchQ]

@@isaacm2374 💯🙏🏿

[@Lady_Izzybee]

I've slowly become more of a fan of Alicent, though I really dislike how they build her up in the show. You see a side of her while she is younger that very dramatically shifts and if you see that for the first time, you might only see how means she got. But she has every reason to be as she is, and though I wish she had been a better mother to her children, she didn't know how. She was forced to have children much earlier than Rhaenyra and you can see how that has effected her. She did the best with what she had.

[@made-line7627]

I'm glad someone else has mentioned _why_ Alicent might not appear to be the paragon of motherhood, in that she didn't necessarily _want_ to become a mother at such a young age, and to someone that she wasn't in love with, and was essentially ordered to be with. I wouldn't be thrilled in her situation, either.

[@Lady_Izzybee]

@@made-line7627 Exactly. Whereas, you can plainly see that Rhaenyra has had the opportunity to love someone and be with someone who loved her. Alicent wasn't that lucky. So honestly, I'm really glad she has Cristan to lean on at least slightly.

[@MrFredstt]

And, tbh, I'd say she was a much better parent to her children than Viserys was

[@Lady_Izzybee]

@@MrFredstt I agree with you there.

[@chelseab3769]

They actually did have their children at a similar age, Alicent is older than Rhaenyra

[@OneOnOne1162]

Very good video. I mostly agree. I think both of these characters are heavily misunderstood in a variety of ways.

[@theduxabides9274]

The more I think about Rhaenyra and Cole's relationship, the harder I find it to buy her claim that she and Laenor 'tried' to conceive but that it failed for lack of 'love.' We know she was down to bed her Uncle, but HE called it off at the last second, so I doubt there was true love involved on Daemon's part (else it was his genuine love for her that led him NOT to take things further that night), while Cole was clearly just a 'first flame' if you will. Lust and Love are not the same thing, and we know historically that gay men and their 'beards' could conceive a child when push came to shove; in the end, I think it's simply a case of Rhaenyra never truly committing to the concept of duty unless it was something she absolutely wanted. After all, she never did choose her own husband and only came to agree with the Laenor match because A) it would improve her status and thus reinforce her claim; and B) She would never ACTUALLY have to commit to the duties of marriage since Laenor was gay, and thus she would be able to 'love' whoever she wanted behind his back without causing actual offense. After all, Rhaenyra is the one who decided it would be better to traumatize Rhaenys and Corlys by murdering their son (as far as those two were aware), and kill an innocent man so as to fake Laenor's death, once Daemon entered into the picture again. And all of this rather than accepting Laenor's intentions to be a better husband and try to make it work. She and Aegon really are two peas in a pod: One avoids commitments like the plague and has never taken duty seriously in his life, while the other only abides by commitment while it clearly benefits her, and looks for an exit the moment duty inconveniences her.

[@alicentbeloved]

Thank you so much for this video! I love your stuff so much, and I'm Alicent's number one fan and defender, so I love hearing you talk about her. The connection between her and Criston fascinates me, and this is such an amazing in-depth look, I love it. I never even thought about how Alicent saves Criston's life before she even really knows him, simply because she has a good heart

[@thalmoragent9344]

I actually like their friendship, it's one of the few times we see a major, but purely platonic relationship last for so long in this world, especially by those in such positions of power. They both struggle and do their very best to be dutiful while surrounded by those who remain willfully ignorant or trample tradition and personal sacrifice. They have each other's shoulders to rely on for essentially some moral support. The duality of Duty VS Desire in this GoT Universe is... really deep and amazing.

[@Strcap]

OG work wife and work husband fr

[@lhall8545]

Great video! Thank you for posting and talking about Criston’s trauma.

[@emptyheaded7182]

Please make another video for their s2 arcs... I never expected them to become physical but I'm excited about that "unconventional" choice for courtly love. There will be more opportunity to explore more elaborate stories, what they're all about and what their motivations are than if they'd just "played their parts" forever. Not to mention giving Alicent some sexual autonomy feels quite important after what she's gone through. They are in very stressful situations right now so it's actually a pretty human way of coping. I do believe it's going to be unhealthy and messy but a great deep dive into their characters' minds.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

In the after-episode reviews, the showrunners said that Criston considers Alicent his new "muse" - and I thought that was an interesting way to put it - he values her, he's willing to serve, but he's likely putting her pedestal WAY too high.

[@Delance1]

Another excellent video. I like their dynamic, and they are maybe the most misunderstood characters in all of the universe of Ice and Fire.

[@adamglenen734]

Another banging video from my favourite Green

[@chickennerd2085]

Thank you for your hardwork! I always like your logical analysis. ❤

[@danielallen4450]

Whether it remains platonic (if it still is) or turns romantic, their bond is fascinating.

[@-AwaleAbdi-]

I don't think it's a coincidence that he goes ballistic on Ser Joffrey right as Viserys is staring at Rhaenyra and Daemon. I think he saw what was going on too and realized he had been used or at the very least was nothing special to her at all and therefore had soiled his vows for nothing. Not saying that justifies what he did but yeah... generally got that sense.

[@akaiji1513]

One thing that no one seems to talk about, even in this video, which is absolutely fantastic, regarding Cole and his "confession" to Allicent is that Cole mistakenly assumed Allicent already knew about his and Rhaenyra's indiscretion. In that scene, Cole was attempting to preempt her accusation by admitting to it instead, hoping his honesty would earn him mercy. He didn't actually confess anything in the sense that he offered information to a party that was not privy to it beforehand. Yet a lot of people in the fandom shit on him for it as a betrayal of Rhaenyra, like he was trying to get her in trouble as revenge for dumping him, which is another misconception the fandom has, severely minimizing the trauma Cole experienced and struggled to deal with.

[@Janary08]

This take has got me more invested into this interesting relationship dynamic

[@dansiegel333]

Really insightful analysis. I had thought that Criston’s rage came out of nowhere when he killed Geoffrey, but I understand it better now.

[@OneOnOne1162]

Here's the thing about Criston Cole, the character he's actually most like from in the main story... is Sansa Stark. Both have very idealized perceptions of the world they live in. Both see them crashing down around them. Both are heavily traumarized. Both need to adapt to their brutal new realities. It's interesting too that both of these characters get a lot of hate, albeit for very different reasons. Oh, and I'd just like to mention I'm always happy to find that there ARE people who recognise how morally questionable what Rhaenyra did when she had sex with Criston was. Proper consent was not possible there, and Criston refusing at first and then putting is cloak down with a great deal of hesitance does NOT imply enthousiastic consent to me. Cole's actions afterwards also play a lot more like a man who felt he was raped than a man who was fine with what happened. He tries to propose to Rhaenyra, not just cuz he has feelings for her, but because of cognitive dissonance he's experiencing. He wants to be a good knight who lives up to his ideals, yet he's just broken his oath. He proposes to Rhaenyra to try to restore his honour and stop the cognitive dissonance. Experiencing this level of cognitive dissonance after a sexual encounter is NOT normal and NOT indicative of clear and enthousiastic consent, imo.

[@NathTMcC]

I think she also didn’t throw him under the bus because she is powerless and just wanted someone in her corner. Its all very Lancelot and Guinevere

[@virginias2ChaMel]

I believe that there is attraction between them since the first episode, in the tournament, Alicent's immediate interest was pointed out. But I think there were always a number of issues that made it impossible for the relationship to evolve into a romantic commitment. First the social differences, Otto Hightower would never let his daughter get involved with someone from a lower house, then Criston went to KL with the aim of being part of the kingdom's guard and also has the values ​​of duty and honor that Criston and Alicente share. Criston feels grateful to the queen for not denouncing him and giving him the chance to restore his oath and over the years they have become friends, confidants. Criston came to see himself as part of that family, as a father who helped raise Aegon, Haelena, and Aemond. He takes care of Alicent, he sees her. So much so that he's the only one who noticed how Vicerys mistreated his wife and how Larys is obsessed with Alicent in a dangerous way. And I trust that Alicent reciprocates that platonic feeling of passion. I hope next season she gives in to the desire. Both deserve a little happiness. In the end, I think Alicole's relationship runs much deeper than what they interpret as resentments about Rhaenyra. In reality, they don't even talk about Rhaenyra with hate anymore, they are just supporting Aegon, out of political interests to maintain power and ambition.

[@Stoic-Waziri]

I found this channel a few days ago and I'm loving it!

[@khfan4life365]

The whole Daemon vs Cole thing reminds me of the phrase “actions speak louder than words”. While Cole has said some sexist things (which he instantly apologized for), he never hurt any woman, physically or verbally, and even told Aemond that every woman is the “image of the Mother”. Meanwhile, Daemon is very sexist in his actions and sees women as tools and toys (e.g. Mysaria, Laena, Rhea, hell, even Rhaenyra).

[@excellentmanoftaste2626]

While i personally prefer the Blacks and would like to see them triumph i appreciate how much thought and effort you put into your defenses of the greens and their characters and it’s changed the way i see many of them.

[@TimeandMonotony]

Alicent and Criston are my favorite characters in HOTD and I swear 97% of the fandom hates them, you're really out here doing the Lord's work! I didn't read F&B till after season one ended, so I went into the show blind and I immediately saw the Criston/Rhaenyra sex scene as coercion at best (setting aside the power imbalance, he literally says "stop" and she doesn't), and it bothered how most of the audience thought there was nothing wrong with that and that he was just an incel (which he literally isn't, he voluntarily took a vow of celibacy) when he made a misguided attempt to regain his honor through marriage. And then the way he looked at Alicent like she was the Madonna and Beatrice rolled into one when she stopped him from committing suicide hooked me and was the moment I went from being a casual viewer to actively engaging in the fandom. Even then, I was neither Team Green nor Team Black till I got so tired of the Team Black side of the fandom, and how they treated the Green characters and their fans, in the last few episodes that I officially joined Team Green (also because I just naturally prefer the Green characters.) We were discussing this video in the Alicole Discord server and were so glad that someone finally understood their relationship, because Alicent and Criston's characters, and what they mean to each other, are one of the most misunderstood aspects of the show. So thank you!

[@concept5631]

There's an Alicole Discord?

[@TimeandMonotony]

@@concept5631 Yep! I can DM you the invite link if you're interested.

[@concept5631]

@@TimeandMonotony I am indeed interested.

[@timetravelingshark8811]

@@TimeandMonotony I am also very interested! also, side note, I had zero idea that youtube has dms. You learn something new every day!

[@TimeandMonotony]

@@timetravelingshark8811 Ah, I'm sorry, it looks like they took the DM option away! You would have to add an email address to your About page, and I could send it to that. Totally understand if you're not comfortable with that, though.

[@inFAMOUSBlastshards]

Your analyses are the best.

[@jordancoccia6590]

Just want to say that I enjoy these HOTD videos extremely! You break everything down perfectly! Thank you

[@zenorus3526]

Ser Criston Cole - The Ageless. On a more serious note. I love your takes. You seemingly remove your own bias and consider the story from one character's perspective.

[@inquisitorgarza312]

Rhaenyra shattered any goodwill in Cole he might have felt for her considering how she was literally matchmaking herself with Laenor being a public figure for their marriage, and considering how much Cole was a very honorable man and he probably snap when he was literally goaded by Laenor lover into accepting a relationship that will continue to dishonor himself and Rhaenyra.

[@Delance1]

A small note, while their services and merits are almost completely unrecognized by their peers and by the crown, both seem to be quite popular with the common people.

[@Thrawn23.]

I wish we could have seen that. Alicent and Helaena are beloved by the smallfolk but we don't see that at all. We could and should have gotten more characterization with the green characters and how they view each other

[@terrorofthetrident4953]

you are my fav HOTD/ASOIAF youtuber. Like I agree with more or less 100% of your videos in totality

[@alanaatkinson551]

It's refreshing to hear another perspective that isn't biased toward the blacks. Thank you so much for this video. You deserve more recognition.

[@hurremsultanas]

Love this analysis.

[@aguspuig6615]

i feel like they couldve comunicated Coles pent up emotions a bit better, dedicate a random shot to him gripping his swords hilt way too tight, or have the typical shot were hes consumed with his own thoughts and we can only hear whispers, one of the whispers is his name slowly getting louder and more defined until we realise its someone trying to talk to him but he wasnt listening because he was having sort of a breakdown inside his head. I feel like he goes from being a chill maybe somewhat reserved guy to brutally murdering someone instantly without enough foreshadowing that hes about to snap in some way

[@110000116699]

I'd hesitate to even call his relationship with rhaenyra consensual considering the MASSIVE power difference

[@ayanna6327]

My issue with Criston, aside from his outbursts, isn't his reaction to Rhaenyra turning him down, it's his continued lack of personal growth. I get it before the time jump, because he believes his honor, something he's worked for his entire life, has been soiled. That's traumatic. However Alicent reinstated his honor, which he hasn't broken since and he was able to face no consequences for what was essentially a cold blooded murder of Joffrey, and consistently pardoning him makes Alicent's obsession with "duty", "honor" and "sacrifice" look hilariously one-sided to say the least. I can understand him being distant or aloof towards Rhaenyra, as he owes her nothing, but constantly bemoaning her, and taking out his frustrations on her children (which have nothing to do with their personal beef) just makes me dislike him entirely as a character. I personally think that their friendship is strong for reasons outside of Rhaenyra, but also definitely rooted in their mutual dislike of her as well.

[@itsmainelyyou5541]

Yes, but even before the jump with his ridiculous run away with me, because your station, features and giant dragon won't be a monumental hinderance of logistics to my plans and I'm willing to let us both be executed for that because my balls itch and it gives me the sads...so you give up everything, mkay? In what world? I find it ridiculous that so many are also viewing all of this through a lens of modern sensibilities that wouldn't apply *at all*. This is a classic feudal society. He was way out of line to even broach it and the original offer she made to him was not a bad one considering the societal framework. It was realistic and beneficial. He had no leverage and never would. It was a decent deal. If he was smart he could have parlayed that into a better position over time. He's not only lacks the necessary control, he's just fundamentally not too bright.

[@youbasictoxicconch]

Yeah I definitely wish to see their dynamic being explored less in the manner of their mutual dislike for Rhaenyra and more of their general alliance. It gets tiring after a while to have their relationship centered entirely around her.

[@ayanna6327]

@@youbasictoxicconch I look forward to seeing him as Aegon's political ally and eventual hand. The most interesting thing about Criston to me, is his relationship to Alicent's children. He's sort of this surrogate-father to them, which is refreshing as Viserys was very negligible of he and Alicent's children. The scene where he looks legitimately proud that Aemond is able to best him during practice just showed this whole new facet to his character beyond "Rhaenyra bad" and killing anyone he finds annoying. I'm in the minority with his relationship to Alicent, because I don't think he actually respects her. He views her in this idealistic pure womanhood vision in conjunction with Rhaenyra, who to him represents corrupted womanhood. One false move and I do believe he wouldn't fw with Alicent anymore, but I do believe he would still be very attached to her children.

[@itsmainelyyou5541]

@PEDOGAYMONTARGARYEN Oh, I'm well aware. It's a purely modern convention that he would even dare to say anything to her. Yes, she did. His station is nothing in comparison to hers. She cannot be out of line. He serves her. His honor is to her. He is common and only attained his position because she chose him. He had nothing to restore. His way was madness. She was being kind and offering a path as death was his only other realistic option, if found out. His allegiance intact. Harsh, but true of Feudal society. It was one of the most unbelievable aspects of the series because it just wouldn't happen and Alicent wouldn't be able to use this loose cannon who already murdered a lord, even if she wanted to. He never should have left the wedding alive. But ridiculous plot contrivance it is.

[@ayanna6327]

@PEDOGAYMONTARGARYEN Your username deeply concerns me.

[@mileslugo6430]

I'm on the Greens side because of what Reanyra did to Cole, and also the rest of the 7 kingdoms to be clear.

[@Glenn_Close_But_No_Cigar]

Literally Mother and Father 💚. I did not say that.

[@fantazypointz1054]

greens in general are pretty misunderstood, when you consider that Westeros would be more likely to go to war if rhae ruled simply because a lot of the lords didn't like her to begin with. She stayed at dragonstone for 6 years and didn't bother to rekindle any friendships with them and then came back to the red keep expecting the crown. when I was making my video for the greens I found it pretty easy to come up with arguments for them

[@elisebrodeur-jacobs5215]

Did Christmas just come early??

[@taylorshope7243]

this channel is the thing that singlehandedly turned me team green, specifically the video on Rhaenyra and hows she's not a feminist, the death of Vaemond, and the snubbing of rhaena and baela as consorts really rubbed me wrong, but I was still reluctant to call myself team green until i say that video. I think that Alicent and Criston are trauma bonded, but I also think that sir Criston's trauma left him hating Rhaenyra , and made him mistreat her children as an extension of that hatred I feel like in an odd way Criston is like an anti daemon. does not want absolute power, came from nothing , beliefs in order, is okay with being in a position lower than the woman he cares for, and is loyal to a queen without the need for a romantic relationship. The similarities between cristo and daemon are they protect the children of the women they care for, both had ambition to be recognized in society , and violent outbursts. I think in general the greens and the blacks are inversions of each other and the greens being the underdogs makes me root for them more.

[@ladysarah6548]

Best analysis, as always.

[@DarkKing009]

Ser Criston Cole is a violent brute but is also capable of charming and devoted. A True Knight! Insulting a Knight's liege-lord is a bad idea.

[@yutgorpotungyun]

Love ur vid! Totally changed my view on the whole show and reflect on how I missed all that

[@jjosifovic]

Love this take

[@terellchapman8737]

I think this shows a higher understanding of the dynamic then the S2 thus far

[@3MB4R]

The season 2 dynamic is just a continuation from season 1, whether people like it or not, the key is to see what’s actually on screen and not invent nonsensical delusions to try and alter the characterisation of characters to make them more morally palatable. Alicent and Cole were hypocrites that refused to acknowledge they were hypocrites last season, now that season 2 is over Cole has acknowledged it and Alicent thinks she shouldn’t be judged for it despite the fact she made being morally righteous her entire shtick.

[@ihatejellybeans7375]

I remember when i initially watched it i picked up on the first episode that Alicent fancied Criston right away, but she obviously couldn't express that because she was a hand's daughter and he was a knight in a show. Rhae made a comment on him to Alicent in that episode that let me know that they have talked about him in.some way as besties and that she knew Alicent liked him, so when Rhae slept woth him (took advantage) and Alicent kept his secret to protect him i saw that it was probably because of her romantic feelings for him thay she could never confess or act on l, plus feeling some level of betrayal from Rhae even though they were estranged for other reasons. I also think that Rhae disregarded Alicent's feelings for him because she's someone that disregard the rules and goes for what she wants vs Alicent that participates in living up to expectations

[@khfan4life365]

If Rhaenyra was a man and did that to a female servant, she/he would have been universally hated. The problem I see in modern culture is women using men as toys to get off is seen as “empowering” and “brave”, while if it was a man using a woman that way, it’s seen as reprehensible and sexist. I believe in true equality. I think messy women should get called out on their bad behavior like messy men do. What Rhaenyra did was reprehensible because she endangered Cole’s life to get off. Cole took a vow of chastity as all the knights did and he told her “no” and “stop”. He was in a lose-lose situation. If he rebuffed Rhaenyra, she could have complained of assault and got him killed out of scorn. In the end, Cole went to Alicent because she represented calm, order, and stability.

[@sofiamielcitas4224]

i never thought about them ! great analysis !

[@filipealmeidapt]

Your channel has been steadily building-up to be one of the best new channels concerning ASoIaF and HotD. You don't apply modern progressive standards to try to understand the worldviews and decisions made by these characters, applying an almost machiavellian-pragmatist eye to this story. Reminds me of the general approach to analyze politics that James Burnham develops in his The Machiavellians book.

[@jaspersong7959]

great vid as usual! your vids never miss!

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

The ending made me sad. I love them so much (as characters) because they are truly victims of their circumstances. As the people in power use them and change the rules constantly. That's why I support their rights and wrongs. I'm going to stick beside them. I'm going to stick beside them. The fight was inevitable. I'm just happy they weren't windmilling wildly and landed every deserved blow to the blacks. If you're going down, take every one with you, fr. And that's what they did. And as they should. The blacks can use KING Aegon allowing a little boy to survive as their win, but it isn't a flex.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

And I still don't think he survived - especially with Corlys pulling the strings. Name over blood and what's not.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

@@Jacaerys4life Corlys is not a Targaryeon. Not being killed by the king as a child doesn't make you the winner. Aegon was recognised as the rightful King, and Rhaenyra was recognised as the usurper messy idiot that she was. Who had her dragons killed by CIVILIANS. That is NOT a win.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

@@Jacaerys4life The Greens were in a legitimate Lose-Lose situation. And they said they weren't going to be the only losers. As they should. Oh well. Aegon the child was not involved in the war. Aegon showing him mercy is not a win. It's just mercy. Nobody won. That's why it's a tragedy. But yall keep fooling yourselves into a win. We had more survivors, so we won. Children that weren't involved in the battle? That's just a pathetic "victory" to me. I guess the Mad King won because Robert Baratheon didn't kill his kids and Daenerys outlived Joffrey. Just nonsense.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

@@Jacaerys4life Cregan Stark was against King Aegon, but he beheaded the people that poisoned him. That was their crime. Read again.

[@beautifulblacksoul8611]

@@Jacaerys4life also, I'm done arguing with someone who made a youtube account for a character. I shouldn't have replied the first time, but it was nonsense. Still is nonsense. The blacks won nothing but a barbecued Queen. Chomp chomp.

[@jermainegrays]

The hate for Sir Criston has been weird to me, funny in a way. He has triggered quite the emotional response from people.

[@edmonddantes563]

Fantastic video

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

Excellent work - you have succeeded in doing what I would have never thought possible - having sympathy for the Greens.

[@Mj_Jetson]

the more i think about it, the more i think the show desperately needed an episode 5.5. Like, the problem with describing Alicent's treatment of Criston as altruistic is that we don't really see that on screen. Like, in episode 5, Alicent is in the process of turning against Rhaenyra... there's so much craziness packed into that one episode that the Alicent-Criston relationship doesn't have time to breathe? And the next time we see the pair, proof of Rhaenyra's promiscuity exists independent of a Criston Cole confession, so the loss of Criston Cole as an ally is probably a greater loss than the benefit of using him to expose Rhaenyra. But if they had an extra episode with the younger actors after episode 5... in addition to showing Daemon being Daemon with regards to Laena's Braavosi betrothal, show what it was about Laena and Pentos that turned Daemon into a completely different person, introduce Harwin Strong and Qarl Correy as love interests, and have Daemon's egg from episode 2 hatch into Sunfyre (that would make episode 2 so much more insanely impactful in retrospect, once the show is done)... the show could put Alicent in a situation where she had every opportunity to expose Criston, would get every benefit from doing so, and decided not to.

[@adapienkowska2605]

I would say that the time shift should happen after the first season - it would give more time to establish these characters and show how they change.

[@threenumbnuts]

​@@adapienkowska2605 Yeah, they packed a lot into season 1. I'm guessing the execs thought that after S8 of GOT, most fans weren't going to patiently consume a whole season of backstory, then come back for another half season of backstory before the Dance kicks off in earnest. The franchise just doesn't have that kind of trust from the audience anymore. Tbh they were probably right.

[@lizd.8655]

I hope you revisit this topic now that we've seen how their relationship has changed in S2

[@williamhanna9718]

I remember when the cult people we’re trying to say Criston killing Joffrey was “homophobia”. Joffrey being gay had nothing to do with Cole killing him, they were just trying to find more ways to demonize him

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Cole is homophobic in the book He scared the green council into joining by reminding them that Laenor's sons might become king Whose sons are they really; Laenor or Harwin?

[@williamhanna9718]

What does questioning the parentage of kids have to do with “homophobia”?? You’re teaching and really proving my whole point

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Sorry I couldn't respond earlier Cole thought that Laenor's gayness had infected his sons and therefore they are not fit for the throne

[@williamhanna9718]

Lmao

[@michaelnkomphela8231]

Cole attached Joffrey because Joffrey just assumed Cole was Rhae . lover. He made vows and the idea that someone suspected differently was a great insult for Cole .

[@J1283-s1k]

Great video. Extremely rare in the sea of Cole (and lesser so, Allicent) hate.

[@zackthezabarak739]

Your video is an excellent analysis of this relationship and a good look at a more complex side of the story. I like that you pointed out that while some of Criston’s more complicated aspects. Not going to lie, the only reason I don’t like Criston is that after the time skip he either ignores or bullies Rhaenyra children. Hating Rhaenyra I get, but the kids did nothing to him. That is the only reason I have a negative view. Still, he’s a good character.

[@LordTywinLannistertheBased]

Weirdly, despite showrunners doing their best to make him a hated character, Criston has more reason in the show to be a green than the books. In the books, it's more mysterious as to why Criston is such a hardcore green. But in the show, Criston is assaulted and his honor soiled by Rhaenyra. And Alicent saves Ser Criston's life, technically two times, by keeping his secret, and stopping him at the godswood. She then chooses him as her sworn protector, and allows him to restore his honor. He spends a decade loyal to Alicent and training and being somewhat of a father figure to the greens children. It makes a lot of sense his devotion to her. I find it weird so many black fans say it's solely him being bitter towards Rhaenyra. Alicent has shown Criston nothing but respect, and rewards him with higher positions and her trust for his loyalty.

[@DarkKing009]

The kingmaker is a simple man. And the phrase "don't shit where you eat." Applies was messing around with your servants and sworn protectors. I believe Queen Alicent Hightower understood this. And the Crown Princess Rhaenyra did not.

[@Yashi1134]

Your videos are very insightful. Great job

[@Praefectus95]

This is fantastic! It's so rare to see a legit character analysis free of the obnoxious Team Black/Green hysteria. Well done

[@notyetawomen5257]

I really do appreciate your honest and logical take on the greens.

[@Rymthe]

I think the polarization of the fans into the Greens v. the Blacks is very telling of the modern times. Nothing is black and white, I think HOTD does an excellent job of displaying that and yet people find themselves pulled towards polarization they exhibit in real political dynamics.

[@jennyk5753]

Me: TEAM RHAENYRA Me after watching this video: ok, you raise some good points. I sympathise with the alicent because she is pretty much doing everything by the book and I imagine it's frustrating to be used as a pawn in the politics of it all. But still, Matt Smith is just such a charismatic actor. It's hard to not gravitate towards Daemon. Lol. I love this series.

[@TheAdreanabrown]

I'm 50/50 about Cole because on one hand, I definitely understand his pain and guilt about breaking his oath. Not to mention Raenyra does have status and someone in the comments mentioned there's a power dynamic there which I agree with. On the other hand when watching the s*x scene, from my perspective he was just as involved or complicit as Raenyra. That doesn't mean he's not allowed to be upset or angry at Raenyra, but it does mean that she's not solely responsible for what happened that night. I'd also like to mention that during the boat scene both Cole and Raenyra were asking each other to give up their duties to favor the other. Imo Cole isn't completely innocent, and I do think there's a combination of spite and pain there that hasn't been dealt with properly. I did like how you mentioned Cole's relationship with Allicent's kids. Anyways I love your channel, great video.

[@jameer7565]

Good take, but you have to consider him outright refusing initially. Even if you're complicit after that's a very Grey area consensually.

[@sidbid1590]

I'm definitely team black, but they're honestly such complex (and tragic) characters that I actually like, or at least feel somewhat sorry for, most of them regardless which side they're on. I can't completely hate the greens and I can't completely like the blacks. It's what makes it so interesting, and the relationship between Alicent and Cole reinforce to that.

[@faaf4950]

Thank you for your analysis, I really don't see the movie being about feminism but about how people who are worthy and trying but not getting things some people easily have, Alicent had sacrificed her youth and life but is not getting the birth right of her children that has given to all before her, and I'm surprised no one sees that. alicent and rhaenyra both married to be queen, alicent can not have bastards(if she does and tries to make them king rhaenyra herself and daemon would object just like vaemond) because she is not a princess rhaenyra does everything she wants and everyone remains silent(but they will not remain silent after viserys's death), everyone is obsessed that rhaenyra should have rights like man but no one is concerned how alicent can not have the same things just because of her status, otto is as ambitious as corlys and daemon but they are not criticised simply because they are blacks. Alicent does everything necessary she even tries to behave good and be just even defends rhaenyra against her father and she realizes she has been deceived. The whole theme of the movie is this dialogue of sir cristan "i know what it is to toil for what others are freely given" rhaenyra is just given her father defends her no matter what she never learns to be a good queen or even a good person

[@martincolton32]

The two most dutiful on the show.

[@heyanyone3628]

Hello! This is an amazing video but will you never do one overviewing Jaehaerys 's reign?

[@HillsAliveYT]

I will probably do one someday but not soon, I'd need to reread all of the Jaehaerys portions of F&B at least.