Ser Criston Cole Is Way More Than Rhaenyra Targaryen's Vengeful Ex

[@misskate3815]

I think people really tend to overlook how big a role class plays in ASOIAF. From Arya “asking” Mycah to play swordfighting to Merillion’s abuse of Sansa to this scenario with Criston and Rhaenyra, class dynamics have propelled so many of the plots of the series.

[@satya4234]

We rarely acknowledge class struggle in our world, so this lack of awareness in a fantasy world doesn't surprise me.

[@gerardjagroo]

@@satya4234 Why would we acknowledge class when we could be more futilely and amusingly involved in Left vs Right battles and culture wars. It was the finest trick ever to get the peasants to hate one another over trivialities. These deluded masses will not rise up against the tyranny of Capital and corrupt politicians, they're to busy being hateful to one another. Ever since I came to this realization I cannot help but think of anyone who engages in this nonsense war with anything but scorn.

[@HillsAliveYT]

Absolutely agreed, these dynamics are extremely intentional and show how often that lower-born people are cannon fodder for the wealthy, but it's almost always ignored to an almost absurd degree.

[@misskate3815]

@@satya4234 maybe, except the books really push the class dynamic stuff.

[@BillyBasd]

Arya 'asking' Micah to play swords is a good observation. Micah probably felt he couldn't say no to a dangerous situation. If an accident were to happen, it would end badly for him. OH yeah it did end badly for him

[@samsonright936]

I always cackle when people call Criston an incel but will worship the likes of Daemon despite Daemon being violent/harmful towards women on every level imaginable lol

[@kailanerman5090]

😂Right!!??? The guy who smashes his wife's face with a rock and grooms his minor neice. THATS the good guy.. It almost makes me wonder, if GOT was shown entirely from Cercies perspective as the main character, would people hate on Ned for being a bigot instead of seeing her as she is? Does the audience seem blind to all of Rhaenyra's shit decisions?? Simply because she's the main character.? Girl does a lot of bad things, even asks that her ten year old step brother be further tortured and people STILL defend that scene

[@leadvendor]

THIS. Yeah, Matt Smith IS indeed awesome and he's an engaging charismatic actor, but Daemon, despite his complexity IS a fucking crazy prick.

[@Dawumpni]

​@@kailanerman5090 People defend that scene!? Stupidity like this is why I avoid social media. Completely indefensible.

[@joshridinger3407]

anti-'incel' rhetoric isn't really about criticizing misogyny, t's about scapegoating men perceived as low status or unworthy of love or respect for all the misogyny, while giving the hot guys who actually do most of it a pass.

[@Janary08]

​@@joshridinger3407 that's ironic considering criston is a bit more conventionally attractive than daemon lol no hate to the actors they both look good- But yea people apply this false labels on these fictional men depending on if they serve their queen rhae or not

[@bloodravenn8305]

If Cristin cole was motivated by nothing by vengeance towards Rhaenyra as some people claim he would have sided with Otto in episode 9 who was trying to get Rhaenyra killed, but instead he supported Alicent, meaning that his loyalty for Alicent is much bigger and significant than whatever he feels towards Rhaenyra.

[@Janary08]

Right he tries to follow by principle and his relationship with rhae was a big shame to him as a noble knight

[@marcusdalton9764]

Exactly. Also, in the episode “Driftmark” Allicent tells Cole to take one of Rhaenyra’s son‘s eye and said “you are sworn to me”. He cannot let go of Rhaenyra not choosing him. He also said in an interview about that part where he and Aemond are searching for Aegon and talks about how his character is really a POS and that comment something like “women are a image of the mother and be respected…blah blah” so Pablo, actor plays Cole, knows he is a messed up dude. People read way too much into scenes and come up with stupid videos like this. Granted everybody is Allowed to have their own opinion, but still

[@UnbowedUnbentUnbroken93]

​@@marcusdalton9764 terrible opinion,but you're still allowed to have one

[@hudsonlewer7486]

Except for the part where he’s a kings guard so he has a legal duty to protect the queen and I believe it’s also stated that at this time he’s her sworn sword

[@lbwnova6654]

And do you think actors are immune from misinterpreting the characters they play?

[@Laramaria2]

I think there's a weird beauty to Cole's relationship with Alicen and her kids... His care for her kids is clearly genuine and I do appreciate the idea of them having someone to go to...

[@nathangordon4891]

Let’s face it Swap the genders of Rhaenyra and Criston and suddenly a lot of the people who hate him would change their tune

[@HumairaAfra-qx5tv]

Exactly

[@haywoodjablowmi1427]

Right. I always dislike when people say "well if the role were reversed…" but this is so obviously a double standard here. I saw some people saying " he had time to stop" or "he was a willing participant"…but the thing is, with the #metoo movement, you heard stories of people who were offered a role/job/ promotion by their boss in exchange of sexual favors, they willingly had sex, but it’s still an abuse of power and taking advantage of someone. So yes, Criston was taken advantage of to an extent, I wouldn’t go as far as comparing him to a “metoo victim" but there was a clear power imbalance here. And any guy who talk a woman into sex when she is reluctant just to use her, and laugh at her face ( and offer to her be his booty call at best ) is regarded as a creep…any woman who makes a big sacrifice and try to correct their mistake only to get laughed at by the guy in question would be seen as a victim and people would have empathy… ( well not everyone, but I mean the crowd who seem to believe Rhaenyra’s a feminist probably would "support women" )

[@chigusayamamoto5063]

@@haywoodjablowmi1427this! It was a literal abuse of power against him. He had to follow orders. Imagine what would’ve happened (Rhaenyra would’ve made false claims of him SAing her or say he’s not following orders. He’d literally get in trouble with Viserys). And if he is the one who revealed what happened, Viserys would deny it many ways, and might even go as far as to create a gag order (similar to how he created a gag order regarding Rhaenyra’s sons). Or he’d have him sent to the Knights watch. So regardless if he resisted or not, or said something or kept quiet, it’ll be him who’d be unfairly punished. Rhaenyra would just get a slap on the wrist. And considering how careless she’s been, she could be the one who revealed what happened without any consideration of what will happen. So he’s the victim.

[@ravengrey9709]

I feel like a lot of his demonization by the fan base spawns from the fact that if he is not demonized as this incel, people are confronted with the fact that Rhaenyra was not the victim in their relationship and that she does in fact deserve criticism for how she acted in it.

[@Okkotsu86275]

Lord forbidden, a lady is held accountable

[@komal146]

But we need to remember that she was a kid getting groomed by her uncle. he definitely is the victim in this relationship and I am not a fan of Rhaenyra but we need to remember that this book is largely a critic on system that (would've) punished Criston over a princess.

[@ravengrey9709]

@@komal146 I wish the show emphasized her grooming for what it was because yes that is an issue. However, Rhaenyra is not free from responsibility because she was being groomed. It is an interesting take to have on why she did what she did but it does not excuse it cause her being hypersexual towards him was not the only problem with their relationship. There is a lot of underlying classism in how she acts with him that needs to be accounted for.

[@lelynnmcphee3967]

​@Raven Grey, what does she do? I am confused

[@ravengrey9709]

@@lelynnmcphee3967 The first big one is her sleeping with Cole or arguably SAing Criston. Rhaenyra puts Cole in a situation where he cannot say no to sleeping with her as she could easily decide to toss him back down the ranks should he disagree or displease her. Additionally, if it were to ever get out, Cole would loose his life while Rhaenyra would face no consequences for it, placing him in a permanent debt to her. Then Rhaenyra goes on to share with Leanor that she and Criston are involved together, a life ending secret for Criston now in the hands of other nobles. Furthermore, she assumes that Cole would be willing to be her secret lover for as long as she willed it, forcing him into this role that is life threatening and dishonorable (in Criston's eyes) solely because she wants him there.

[@Jaygee517]

Idk if anyone noticed the look of pride on his face when Aemond beat him in the sparring match, was pretty great.

[@jennafox8556]

Ser Criston is more of a father to Alicent's kids than Viserys ever was.

[@miam2772]

Criston is notably the only man in Alicent’s life (that she didn’t give birth to) who hasn’t exploited or abused her in some way.

[@danika9411]

And that she is safe with, because he is sworn to her.

[@Ares99999]

He fails. The Blacks actually win. Aegon III is Rhaenyra's son.

[@Daughter-of-Palestine]

@@Ares99999 There is no win. Rhaenyra is never made queen.

[@fauzanabdulkahfi957]

​@@Ares99999and her winning doesn't "change the order of things"

[@Thrawn23.]

Aemond was loyal to her

[@komal146]

i was told that i'd dislike this character when i started the show. Imagine my surprise at George for including a different and complex dynamic of male sa victim and at readers for hating such a good character. He does seem more complex to me than Daemon's two modes.

[@devorahacts]

I don't really see him as an SA victim, but I can see how people get to that idea. I do believe that she still saw him as a trusted friend and Mentor at that time, so I think he could have definitively said no, but I also think he believed he loved her even if it was only infatuation. So it is a bit more complex than that. I think for her it was a I will take control of my virginity and it's all about me, but it was never all about her and she is at fault for not knowing that.

[@miam2772]

@@devorahacts cmiiw, but I’m pretty sure he did say something like “no, I can’t”. Rhaenyra just kept coming onto him.

[@depgabby]

SA victim is honestly really far fetched

[@devorahacts]

@@miam2772 I do believe he still could have walked away, just simply to the outside of the chamber, and refused to come in. Just because somebody seems to have a moment of persuasion or indecision does not mean that someone's complete and total will is taken away. If it were that easy everyone who tried to persuade someone of something would be guilty of controlling them and they're not.

[@elvisalanbay7443]

agreeing with everything here except the SA part, that's just rly far fetched especially considering actual SA scenes in the GoT franchise, both him and rhaenyra just made a stupid mistake that's it

[@Cole_E]

It shocks me how many people think that Rhaenyra would let the Green kids live. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't because they would always be threats to her rule even if only as figureheads for possible rebellion. It's like Mary I with Lady Jane Grey - Mary didn't want to execute Jane but circumstances forced her hand. That's not even taking Daemon into account and Blood and Cheese proves how willing he is to take things to the extreme. Honestly, I don't mind Criston as a character. I sympathise with him and I really like his relationship with Alicent and her children. Granted, I do think he gets a bit too heated about Rhaenyra for there not to be some hard feelings still involved but he's a step up from Daemon at least.

[@kikima258]

yes it seems that many fans don't know much about history whenever there was more than one contender for a throne the answer was always blood

[@Vesporeon]

I think the Daemon point is rather salient. The idea that he wouldn't deal with the Green heirs, regardless of what Rhaenyra thinks, is laughable. And after what he did to Vaemond in public, that fear would only intensify in Alicent and Otto's minds; only the former's affection for Rhaenyra made her overlook this.

[@SaSa-gn3rr]

I doubt that rhaenyra would harm her siblings on her own accord (SPECIALLY helaena), but it's undeniable that daemon is a huge threat to the green kids. but anyways, I do think that peace between them was possible, it would just be needed a LOT of trust and good faith (things lacking in the red keep)

[@Cole_E]

@@SaSa-gn3rr You're more optimistic than I am then 😄. Frankly, I just don't think it's feasible that she would have been able to let them live even if she really wanted to. The moment she does something that the nobles dislike, they'd look to the Green kids to unseat her. I suppose a comfortable exile would be an option but I truly believe that Daemon would off them all at the first opportunity, no matter how it made her look or feel. TLDR: Daemon is a bloodthirsty menace who would be more of a hindrance than a help if she actually managed to hold the Iron Throne.

[@SaSa-gn3rr]

@@Cole_E as Otto says in the books, Daemon is both Rhaenyra's greatest ally and biggest weakness. He's not a good politician and just too bloodthirsty and ambitious (like aemond is in the books, just too ruthless to be a good king in general). But I believe there could be a peaceful resolution if Rhaenyra tried to be a good sister to her siblings since the beginning (and just not marrying Daemon). If her brothers liked her, I don't think they would be a threat, because they just wouldn't have reasons to depose her, and they could help her rule

[@normtrooper4392]

It still boggles my mind that people called him an incel. You can call him a brute but he was never an incel. He is for sure the best problematic fave on the show. One thing I would like to highlight is just how good he is as a fighter. Here is a guy who can regularly outclass people who should be much more experienced and skilled than him (owing to his poor background). He's probably the reason why Aemond will become such beast of a fighter in the future. It would be like a guy from a community college outclassing people who went to Harvard

[@HillsAliveYT]

Yeah, the show again doesn't harp on it but a perfect example is when Tyrion points out that the men Jon are fighting at the Night's Watch have probably never held a sword before. Obviously Criston isn't quite as lowborn, but the fact that he can easily take on so many highborn men given his birth status is NUTS.

[@DildoDaggins69]

The most profoundly braindead stupid part about folks calling him an incel is: he joined the Kingsguard, which, among its other tenets, includes voluntary celibacy. I'm reminded of that line from the Princess Bride: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

[@Emma88178]

@@DildoDaggins69 Honestly it's the fault of many misogynist straight men, including those from the U.S. who actually do use that term to describe themselves for the past few years now. And it's because of those men using that term for themselves that's it's now stuck with modern society as a synonym for misogynist a-hole.

[@krcjayhawks]

Imo it's more like a guy that spent a season playing with the national team before committing to a mid major outclassing someone from a power conference

[@Ares99999]

@@HillsAliveYTIt's not nuts. He's got battlefield experience.

[@khfan4life365]

One thing I love about Criston was how you could tell he was constantly contemplating regicide. You just knew the guy had dreams of pushing Viserys down the stairs. 🤣

[@Thrawn23.]

Was it the scene in episode 7 when Viserys called Alicent Aemma. That scene was funny

[@mediocrity1458]

"All of the Green kids." Someone forgot about Daeron, lol. That poor kid, even his own family doesn't remember him.

[@HillsAliveYT]

LOL I'm really dying at the thought that they're going to have to introduce him out of nowhere in season 2, like there is zero possibility of that not being weird as hell and so confusing to the non-book-reading audience.

[@kittycheshire5099]

Does he even exist in HotD? There's been no mention of him and everyone acts like Alicent only has three kids.

[@mediocrity1458]

@@kittycheshire5099 Both GRRM and Ryan Condal have confirmed that Daeron exists in the show, so I'm sure he'll show up eventually. It's still really odd that he was never mentioned a single time; it even seems like the actors weren't aware of Daeron's existence.

[@MrFredstt]

@@HillsAliveYT Or, and I really hope not, they exclude him entirely. Really would be a shame as Daeron is such a good guy and I think he could really become a fan favorite

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@MrFredstt Daeron and Jace are the closest two to being "heroes" in this dumpster fire the Targaryens call a family.

[@khfan4life365]

The scene where Rhaenyra seduces Criston makes me very uncomfortable. The abuse of power is very clear. I have a feeling if he said no, she’d lie and say he violated her, which would get him maimed or killed.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

He might've feared that happening as well.

[@J1283-s1k]

It's insane how the fanbase collectively whitewashes Rhaenyra while hating on Cole as just an incel/simp 'who raged at being rejected' and miss the intricacies so badly. Rhaenyra abused her power and disregarded Cole's honour, vows and duty entirely to get herself off, using him like Daemon did her. Then, when he tried to restore his honour and give her an out (admittedly stupid but desperate), after years of her whining to him about how 'nobody has ever held my position' when Cole had to remind her what a privileged, well off little royal she was, she then suddenly threw the 'I may chafe at my duties' rubbish at him and happily didn't give one thought to the vows and oaths she had coerced him to break, while then hilariously going straight to using her own duties ('I am the crown') as a get out of jail free card. Imagine if in 2022 a male CEO locked his receptionist in a room, kissed her twice, began undressing her and did so while she said 'Stop' and physically tried to prevent him? Cole got MeToo'd. But no. People just see it that 'he tried to marry her and got salty because she rejected him'. Rhaenyra is more to blame than anyone that she made such a nasty enemy out of Cole. Plus, Harwin was actually intruding, Cole did offer Jace counsel when Aemond smacked his sword from his hand 'Don't stand too upright my prince you'll get knocked down' and then focused on Aegon and Aemond because Aegon was mucking about so he showed them their measure, and it was here where Harwin entered. It's not that he has the issue with the kids, although he is admittedly being unnecessarily cruel and spiteful, it's that when Cole is instructing Aegon to keep hitting Jace, he keeps looking at Harwin to get his reaction.

[@KingSlayer_.]

What people don't understand about the whole situation is just how bad it was for Criston. Should the secret come out that he had sex with Rhaenyra this would have happened: 1.) She probably would have claimed it was rape to protect her honor, or be coerced into doing so by the court. 2.) Criston would be stripped of his white cloak, gelded, tortured for days on end publicly, and then either be executed or be sent to the wall at minimum. 3.) Be written in the history books as a failed knight without honor in a society that values honor above ANYTHING else. Rhaenyra knew all of this and had sex with him anyway. Joffrey Longmouth was playing with some serious fire and he REALLY should not have done that. People say he was being whiny, that he couldn't handle being rejected but he was never upset about any of that. He was upset about the three reasons I just mentioned and its %100 understandable and even justified. I wish the show runners did a better job at explaining just what was going through his mind when he killed joffrey long mouth. Very tough scene, and I really feel for the guy.

[@HillsAliveYT]

I give Rhaenyra enough credit that I don't think she would ever accuse him of rape, I think she would just try to lie her way out of it, but regardless, the power to do WHATEVER she wants is entirely in her hands and the consequences for Ser Criston could be brutal and/or fatal, so to have sex with him because she couldn't smash Daemon when she wanted to is not it.

[@KingSlayer_.]

@Hill's Alive Perhaps she wouldnt have claimed rape although the possibility was probably on his mind. Its happened in the books before with some of the Nights Watch being falsey accused of rape by high born women. But that's besides the point it was still a really bad situation for Criston, and most likely he was completely bloody terrified. He's misunderstood in the sense that people think he was mad about being freindzoned, and it makes my blood boil. I'm glad people are starting to see things differently now.

[@Janary08]

Which adds to his loyalty to alicent because not only did she save him, but she didn't weaponize this information against rhaeneyra and kept their secret because she understood cole's situation 🥺

[@lilchaos9212]

​@@Janary08 Yeah, if you think about it Allicent literally could've ruined Rhaenyra with that information. But she chose to save Criston. They have been loyal and treated one another with honour and respect, even when no one else did. He was the first to treat her like a real Queen, and she saw him for the Knight he was despite his status and his relationship with Rhaenyra. No wonder he is so loyal to Allicent in the future.

[@angelic252]

​@@HillsAliveYTwhy is noone acknowledging her age and her inebriated state? As the more sober and physically capable party it was on him to leave??

[@helenrose5383]

HBO fumbled with Criston Cole, especially by not exploring the power/ class dynamics between him and Rhaenyra. The coercion element wasn't as pronounced. Calling Cole an incel is harmful and is trivializing male SA. Moreover later they presented characters like him and Alicent a lot powerless than they are.

[@jordanhowe188]

Awesome video, Criston Cole is actually one of my favorite aspects of House of the Dragon. He's actually a lot like Jaime Lannister, both want to be the ideal knight, and both end up going down in infamy due to tragic circumstances and their flaws of character. Jaime himself even says "There was a boy who wanted to be Ser Arthur Dayne, but somehow he became the smiling knight instead." That's probably not the exact quote, but you get the idea. Also, I love how all the fans demonize the Greens and anyone who looks at Rhaenyra the wrong way, and here you are defending the Greens as complex characters with understandable and nuanced motivations. I am so here for it.

[@Emma88178]

Jaime is more villain than hero though. They definitely white-washed him in the show, but in the books Jaime is so much more vile.

[@hypeman1021]

​@@Emma88178yea, people tend to forget he almost killed a child just so he could continue to fuck his own sister. If you listen to the casual you could think Ned was the villain in their history together. Cole is somewhat similar to Ned in that sense except he is shown way more greyish thus explaining why he doesn't have that much of a fan base to begin with.

[@hclw3589]

@@hypeman1021okay don’t dumb things down it wasn’t just so he can keep fucking his sister if they would’ve gotten caught death for him and Cersei we’re definitely possibly. Not saying his actions weren’t terrible and that Jaime can’t be an idiot it just was more to it than that.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

​@@Emma88178 I wouldn't say the show white washed him considering he sexually assaults cersei in the show.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

​@@hypeman1021 I wouldn't say Cristion is similar to ned in any capacity. There arguably polar opposites.

[@lduddy]

I get a sense of a greater religiosity in Cole. While not as overt as the Hightowers, his planned suicide attempt indicates such. Knighthood is not some simple title, it hold a deeply religious significance in the culture. Knights were made and sworn by the Faith of the Seven in ASoIaF, predating the Targaryen rise. The oaths they swear by are not to some king or lord, rather to the Gods. The Kingsguard takes that to a higher level. While oaths are made to the king, the vows are considered the most holy of importance. Rhaenyra's exploitation of Cole is a violation of him, not just sexually, but religiously as well. Alicent was the saving grace he had in her more overt religious deposition. Alicent offered forgiveness to a mortal sin in Cole's eyes. That is the foundation of their relationship.

[@maylynbayani]

Criston's vow meant that he will never have bio kids but the Hightower-Targaryen children are his children. He loved them and they loved him back.

[@caitlinalthea2470]

not rlly a criston cole fan but i find it funny that most of the fandom has branded him an "incel." incel literally means involuntary celibate, and the kingsguard take a *voluntary* vow of celibacy 😭 also iirc rhaenyra offers to run away with him to the free cities, and he says that he refuses to be her whore

[@Dell-ol6hb]

No he was the one who wanted to run away to the free cities, she obviously refused and then he said that he didn't want to be her whore.

[@HillsAliveYT]

Yeah he is like the ultimate Catholic-guilt self-flagellating volcel.

[@Janary08]

At least In the show, wasn't it criston who offered to run away with rhae and get married and she refuses?

[@caitlinalthea2470]

@@Janary08 oh yeah I forgot it was him who proposed that, it’s been a while since I watched the episode LMAO. But I do remember that he basically refused to be her whore

[@tiabeaniesemotionalsupportdmon]

@@Janary08 exactly. She offered to continue the relationship with Criston and that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted her to abandon the Iron Throne for him. She said no to running away with him, and that’s where things start falling apart.

[@adamglenen734]

Rhaenyra stans are gonna seethe Good work as always

[@jjh2456]

The seething is strong already.

[@greenapples1149]

Let them seethe, then. Their princess ain't no saint and they're blind if they don't see that.

[@ayanna6327]

The only thing I like about Criston is that he was a father-figure to Alicent's children, because Viserys certainly wasn't going to.

[@HillsAliveYT]

LOL Criston really is the father who stepped up though.

[@ayanna6327]

@@HillsAliveYT I love the scene when Aemond bests him in the courtyard and he looks at him with so much pride. That was very sweet.

[@Ares99999]

@@HillsAliveYTYeah, and helped create two monsters. Well done, Criston!

[@higharchbishopofteatasting6217]

​@@Ares99999YESSIR

[@williamnissen5083]

@JaehaeraTargaryen_two goat monsters

[@satya4234]

I know that we're not supposed to pick sides but I have so much more sympathy for the greens than the self absorbed and entitled blacks.

[@Okkotsu86275]

I do as well. It is just something I naturally gravitate towards with The Greens.

[@HillsAliveYT]

LOL yeah I love rooting for a good lameass loser so the fact that the Greens are basically a full on squad of rejects makes them way more appealing to me.

[@grimaldus1523]

How are the blacks entitled anymore entitled than the greens? Who started a civil war because they thought they deserved a throne because of succession laws which have never really applied to the targaryens?

[@gerardjagroo]

I started out anti-every-Targaryen-character but started to drift a little Team Green especially after listening to all the nonsense Team Black likes to spew However the inclination to take sides must be ruthlessly be crushed as they all end up doing terrible things. One character I really loathed pre-show was Aemond Targaryen, the maniac who firebombed the Riverlands and killed countless of innocent people. I also despise Daemon the child-killer, disdained Rhaenyra for her weakness and Aegon for his corruption. None of them are innocent. The Targaryens of this time period were a bunch of useless depraved entitled incompetents. I greatly prefer the Targaryens of the First Blackfyre Rebellion who had competent members on both sides However thanks to the show's nuanced approach to the characters I'm forced to sympathize with the Greens a little.

[@Dell-ol6hb]

they all suck, the Greens and the Blacks killed countless thousands of innocent people fighting an absolutely pointless war for a throne their family already controls and causing the decline of their whole house, none of them deserve sympathy and they're all entitled, and selfish.

[@loda223]

Also in regard to the incel label he gets I nvr understood it. He is the one that rejects Rhaenyra "girl boss" Targaryen at the wedding! Its completely spelled out through his actions in that sequence that he saw it as a violation of his vows and was willing to die to uphold whatever shred of honor he believed he had. He and Alecent are very similar in that they believe in great personal sacrifice in upholding the law/order of the realm. He's one of the more morally consistent characters on the show. Even if a knights idea of chivalry and honor will most likely be deconstructed by the end of the series. Great video glad to see I wasnt the only fan of this guy out there!

[@loda223]

ands just to clarify, some people may think that the fact he wanted the two of them to run away together initially then clings to his chivalry/code later as inconsistent but keep this in mind. He wanted them to run away together AND renounce their titles because to him its not fathomable to keep their romance and royal/adjacent positions as that is the true violation of vows from his POV. Which he is consistent in throughout the show IMO

[@cheshirevixen8881]

Your analyses are always so insightful. This is the best breakdown I've seen of Criston, which is nice cause he's one of my faves and he gets written off and excessively hated on a lot. I particularly liked the mention of the kids as well as Alicent. I love the parallels between Cole v Strong and Aemond v Jace.

[@dannieandrews]

It's reasons like this that I really wish the build up to the Dance had taken place over a few seasons because I just feel like they rushed through so much to put all the characters on the board but didn't give us time to grow attached to them all. Seeing years of Criston and Allicent becoming friends, seeing Rhaenyra and Harwin's relationship, and her relationship with Laynor, plus Daemon and Layna. It would've actually given us a reason to care that they all died (or 'died' in Laynor's case).

[@gustavowillian119]

I revisiting this video one year after its release and i came to the conclusion, after watching the first three episodes of season 2 of HOTD, and seeing the making offs of this season (the writers commenting the series is a fucking delusional show), that the writers and Ryan Condal just failed to create interesting and complex characters. The writing of the show itself treat Alicent and Cole just bitter hypocrites who whishes low vendetta against Rhaenyra. Everything dubious and criminal is pinned on the Greens, especially these two characters, and all hatred is directed solely at them. We don't get any screen time to really develop these two characters, what we get is sex scenes and deplorable attitudes without any internal counterpoint, the counterpoint is always external. This is GOT writing from the sixth, seventh and eighth seasons in disguise. I'm not surprised that most of the audience thinks that GOT ended in the eighth or seventh season when in fact the series died in the fourth. Thanks for the video btw, you are one of the few content creators who can capture the societal structure of this universe and properly interpret the characters who live in it, your video about Otto Hightower is peak content

[@LizbetNene]

I think it's really interesting how the reception of the show mirrors the themes that Fire & Blood and ASOIAF try to dissect. One of the major things the work tries to do is deconstruct how mythmaking and tropes influence our understanding of history and politics - "power resides where men believe it resides". Lo and behold, we see the audience reaction to this dramatization warped around the woman presented as it's "heroine". Rather than seeing the ensemble of characters as equal, flawed actors struggling in the inherently unjust and unstable system of dynastic power, instead we see the audience cheering on Rheanyra regardless of if she's breaking or enforcing the rules and booing anyone who so much as complains.

[@samwinchester1326]

I don't exclude the possibility that Criston's suppressed emotions (his trauma, his sexual confusion) towards Rhaenyra are a strong catalyst for his actions. However, it is just that, a catalyst. He acts and assumes the positions because of the things you mentioned in the video.

[@cappuccinoclouds8145]

Kudos for making such a nuanced take even though the character didn’t have that much screen time. Empathetic and fair as always! I personally missed a bunch of things you’d pointed out. Great video!

[@Shenanakins]

Rhaenyra is Dennis from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia😂😂 Rhaenyra : Well dude, dude, think about it: he’s a lowborn dude out in the middle of nowhere in KL with some royal family he barely knows. You know, he looks around and what does he see? Nothin' but dragons. "Ahh, there's nowhere for me to run. What am I gonna do, say 'no'?" Alicent : Okay. That... that seems really dark. Rhaenyra: Nah, no it's not dark. You're misunderstanding me, bro. Alicent : I'm-I think I am. Rhaenyra: Yeah, you are, because if the guy says "no" then the answer obviously is "no"... Alicent : No, right. Rhaenyra: But the thing is he’s not gonna say "no", he would never say "no" because of the implication. Alicent: ...Now you've said that word "implication" a couple of times. Wha-what implication? Rhaenyra : The implication that things might go wrong for him if he refuses to sleep with me. Now, not that things are gonna go wrong for him but he's thinkin' that they will. Alicent : But it sounds like he doesn't wanna have sex with you... Rhaenyra: Why aren't you understanding this? he-he doesn't know if he wants to have sex with me. That's not the issue... Alicent : Are you gonna hurt members of the kingsguard?? Rhaenyra: I'm not gonna hurt these men! Why would I ever hurt these men? I feel like you're not getting this at all! Alicent: I'm not getting it. Rhaenyra : Goddamn. [notices Larys staring at them] Rhaenyra: Well don't you look at me like that, you certainly wouldn't be in any danger. Alicent: So they are in danger! Rhaenyra: No one's in any danger!

[@fancyaristocrat7450]

18:14 holy shit woman, what you said made a tear run down my eye. Thank you for making the video and you should consider writing your own book!

[@GardensAndGames]

Kinda refreshing that a complex and capable character being reduced to merely a love interest is happening to a man for once.

[@derykhenderson5187]

It's funny that Rhenerais presented as a protagonist but many of us view her as the Villain and Allicent as as the protagonist.

[@loda223]

Would love to see the Alicent and Cristen relationship fleshed out in s02 one of my favorite dynamics in the show for sure

[@maylynbayani]

I love Criston Cole. How people thinking Daemon as some man wife is beyond stupid. Criston cole raised Alicent's children. He was their only father figure. In the show, Aegon raised him to be the hand of the fucking king. Aemond trusted him so much that he freely shares his feelings of discontent about his lot. Helaena feels comfortable with him as shown on the Green council. He is basically Alicent's partner in life. Hence limiting all his actions just because of a petty break up a decade ago is stupid. We all had break ups when we were young. Did you make all life decisions based on that afterwards?

[@Mic-Mak]

Once again, your channel so criminally underrated. This is so good! I really hope to hear you as a guest on one of the big ASOIAF podcast one day, because your analyses and commentary are brilliantly sharp.

[@fetchinglydear]

She got a shout-out by Glidus and Alt Shift X in one of their recent videos. It's safe to say our girl is making waves and moving on up!

[@BlazingSteel]

There are a few things that the show did not cover that add a bit more layers and ambiguity to Criston Cole: There was a tournament during Rhaenyra's wedding, and Criston demolished the competition, and his morning star cracked the skull of Joffrey, the favourite of Laenor Valaeryon, Rhaenyra's husband, and Joffrey died six days later. Criston also fights Harwin Strong in this same tournament (and he was already smitten with Rhaenyra), where Criston again uses his morning star, this time to break Harwin's collarbone and elbow, both of which are much easier to either feign as accidents or for Criston to take his frustration out on someone, considering how violent the tournament was in episode 1. The show changed this to Criston pummeling Joffrey to death in public and removing the other tournament(s), which is considerably less sympathetic and feel a bit more one or two-dimensional.

[@hclw3589]

Okay here’s a little crackpot theory I’ve had for a while cole didn’t mean to kill Joffrey in the books his death was an accident. Cole was reeking havoc at the tourney was letting out anger on his opponents fucking them up but death wasn’t the objective for him. Afterwards allicent saw knight free to join her side and scooped him up into her service. I see it like aemond situation at the end of season 1 he didn’t plan on killing but was wholly irresponsible in his actions.

[@BlazingSteel]

@@hclw3589 Aye. Morning stars are incredibly dangerous, even to a knight in plate armor, and a hit to the head from one of those is going to rattle anyone. They are anti-armor weapons for a reason. Joffrey died six days after Cole struck him in the head, which must have been agony.

[@hclw3589]

@@BlazingSteel Yes but it’s a weaopon he’s used before idk why they’re allowed in tourneys but they are.

[@BlazingSteel]

@hclw3589 in tournaments, death was more, I guess "acceptable" to be generous, because competing in tournaments was dangerous. It wasn't until quite late in the Middle Ages that blunt weapons were more widely utilized in tournaments to limit casualties.

[@SoilToSoul]

Another great video to make us think deeper than what we see on the surface, you are so skilled at that. You deserve so many more subscribers! I've mentioned you to anyone interested in ASOIAF world lore. Thank you for the upload ❤🐉

[@HillsAliveYT]

Thank you! 💜

[@thekage100]

Me two! Got a friend to become team Green, through her videos!

[@elijah5182]

Criston the goat love this hills alive 🔥🐉🐉

[@kittycheshire5099]

Ser Criston Cole is a better fatheer than Viserys, and I will die on that hill. People need to stop acting like his life revolves around Rhaenyra. His life is about Alicent and the children, and Rhaenyra is just a side character in his story, not even important enough to be in the main cast.

[@jonsigwanz7993]

Thank you for this characterization of Criston; I always thought there was something more to his relationship with Alicent and now I better understand him as a person who found his family; though he is still clearly a perfect example of how knighthood and honor culture turns frustrated young men angry and violent.

[@AnarchoCatBoyEthan]

THE “STRONG BOYS”? How DARE you! Out with your tongue! Lol that really caught me off guard. Really fantastic videos btw, trying to comment on all of them to help but I keep accidentally clicking to the next one out of eagerness. The problem with being TOO good.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

This video was extremely insightful and really deepened and enriched my understanding of Ser Criston as a character not just in the show, but reconciling how it kind of conflicts with his seemingly one-dimensional nature as portrayed in the literary source material, like you said, as some spurned ex. Excellent video. Subscribed.

[@zeetuslupeedus]

It's like people think Rhaenyra has to be either a victim or a villain and the same for Cristin. The reality is that Rhaenyra is a young girl who wanted to experience sex on her terms, and instead of thinking it through, she acted impulsively, not responsibly, and unfortunately, it ended up hurting someone. Power dynamics matter, of course. But again, she's a young person who did a young person thing. Instead of people appreciating the fact that young people do these things (across all kinds of classes and gender etc) they either make her someone who has no responsibilty in how she affects the people around her and who work for her, or they make her a person who has malicious intent and a cold heart for not accepting his proposal. The fact is that she was horned up, he's hot, likes her, and has to do what she wants. Hes horned up, hot likes her and WANTS to fuck her, and even if he didnt...couldnt..not fuck her. Coming from his background, and then being treated how he was, creates trauma. Period. If it were the other way around, there would be no questiom nor much of a debate on this. Its absoluteky absured, as you said. And im not even in his fan club tbh.

[@HillsAliveYT]

Yeah, I mean I think especially at that point Rhaenyra is far more ignorant than evil, but I find it very strange that everyone acts as if Ser Criston is out of line for loathing her when he literally could have been killed because she was horny.

[@zeetuslupeedus]

@Hill's Alive right. And again, the fact that this would be a completely different conversation were things were reversed, is what bugs me. People have a hard time talking about women who abuse power. Even in fictional settings.

[@maylynbayani]

The problem with Rhaenyra is she continued to make stupid decisions even on adulthood. She had sex with the Strong dude and it got him killed. She basically exiled her husband. It was that or he gets killed. People were applauding her for making laenor escaped. As if the man had a choice.

[@zeetuslupeedus]

@@maylynbayani another great point !

[@Emma88178]

Exactly, they were both hot looking people who wanted to have sex. No one was evil in that scene, just ignorant and horny. More from her side of course. But he was definitely more of the victim being of lower class.

[@Sophie-wq6eo]

If Cole knew that Aegon was a rapist who enslaved his own children to be in underground child fight club (just like Alicent does) and still killed honorable men to get him on the throne, hes automatically a bad person in my book. He could have advised Alicent to make Aegon take the black and put Aemond on the throne, especially given how faithful they act towards the seven. Both of them are holier than thou despite their claimaint being the worst person in the whole story. Aegon watches Blood and Cheese like events all the time but instead its his own children murdering each other with their bare hands. They both want to stop Rhaenyra's reign so much that they dont even consider how awful of a person Aegon is. If Criston was really Aegon's father figure and he is apparently so honorable, why is Aegon such a piece of shit then??

[@momo7989]

Exactly. He knew aegon was a horrible person and someone who shouldn't be on the throne. Yet he makes the decision to keep aegon in king's landing instead of running away or taking the black.

[@Janary08]

Well there's also aegon's children they need to protect who have a claim too. Better to push that awful aegon to the throne to protect his family than leave his heirs vulnerable and shunned. That could be a reason why the greens are doing this because it doesn't just stop at aegon, but the whole green family too Also idk if the fancy ass nobles cared enough about fighting pits happening in flea bottom to drive them to crack down on it and shun aegon for it- is there a law in westeros against kids fighting pits? Cuz idk... I hope there is tho

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Erryk Cargyll certainly had no doubts

[@Thrawn23.]

15:14 Before she grabbed Christons arm, her hand was on Aemonds arm for a couple seconds Even though its very vague I think Aemond and Helaena have a similar relationship to Alicent and Christon. Where they fulfill the role of partner but nothing else. It could also be possible that Aemond has been a great uncle to her kids

[@factoryofdivisiveopinions]

14:16 I never noticed this. Incredible detail. I lov your videos.

[@maylynbayani]

How could you blame Criston for loving alicent? My girl have luscious curls and Bambi eyes. Poor lad had no chance.

[@92irishjoe]

He’s a victim simply as that

[@Janary08]

Criston cole a fatherly mentor to the kids and alicent's protector and friend 💕 love this video for the positive criston cole analysis 😭

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

I think his main motivation in the book was an inner sense of propriety and righteousness. If we accept that the show’s retconnings are legitimate due to the unreliable nature of the narrators (which in many instances I think is clearly baloney in terms of how far afield the show goes), then your take holds more water for sure. I think it’s a balance of hate and love for him.

[@kjellduteweert9262]

Also, removing Daeron was a mistake; he and Helaena would be the line, and the general viewers would be the good greens, so to speak. Also, not giving Criston his moments from the books was a mistake. But we will see what they will do in season 2.

[@GeeNoniGee]

At this reading, they have STILL not even cast Daeron yet, and only mentioned he and his dragon ONCE. Otto effed off to Oldtown when he got canned as the Handfather.

[@croatiawarior]

Notice how in episode 6 during the training scene Criston tells Aegon not to let Jace up and to press the attack to avoid him getting up and hitting him in the back like he did to Daemon in the Tourney.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Also an omen of how Jace dies

[@Thrawn23.]

​​@@equusquaggaquagga536Not really Jace dies in a different way that's not comparable to them training in the yard

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

@@Thrawn23. Jace was also not allowed tp get up when he was shot by those crossbows

[@Thrawn23.]

@@equusquaggaquagga536 True he tried but failed. Hope they don't change these characters death scenes

[@TiagoSanSou]

Ser Criston is Basically a way more brutal version of Sor Jorah Mormont.

[@KingSlayer_.]

Ok thats just not true. Jorah wanted to marry Dany for love, Criston never loved Rhaenyra the same way and wanted to marry her to restore his broken vow. He was angry at her for the following reasons: What people don't understand about the whole situation is just how bad it was for Criston. Should the secret come out that he had sex with Rhaenyra this would have happened: 1.) She probably would have claimed it was rape to protect her honor, or be coerced into doing so by the court. 2.) Criston would be stripped of his white cloak, gelded, tortured for days on end publicly, and then either be executed or be sent to the wall at minimum. 3.) Be written in the history books as a failed knight without honor in a society that values honor above ANYTHING else. Rhaenyra knew all of this and had sex with him anyway. Joffrey Longmouth was playing with some serious fire and he REALLY should not have done that. People say he was being whiny, that he couldn't handle being rejected but he was never upset about any of that. He was upset about the three reasons I just mentioned and its %100 understandable and even justified. Very tough scene and I really feel for the guy, even more so that so many people saw him as an angry simp who's butt hurt that he got rejected when that's not what he was mad about.

[@hightower19]

Absolutely not because criston isn't a pedophile holding feelings for someone he used to refer to as a “child!”, jorah on the other hand? yeah..

[@Emma88178]

Jorah is also a pedophile creep in the books. The show white-washed the hell out of him.

[@Domefossil]

Fantastic video, its so good I was literally going to make a video essay with this exact take.

[@drparadox7833]

Viserys maybe their father, but Criston is their Daddy.

[@know846]

People when rheanyra sleeps with cristin: she was 17, she is a child. People when alicent was 14 and was married to viserys : she is witch, a monster

[@minp2001]

I already liked the video before watching him. He’s one of the most complex characters in the show with one of the clearest motivations yet Team Black fans paint him as a one dimensional incel

[@radioslave5307]

i've always thought Cole's i've always thought Cole's relationship with Rhaenyra had interesting and obvious parallels with Mysaria relationship with Daemon. both Cole and Mysaria were lowborn who got to thwir positions by their own efforts instead of their family names, both were in relationships with members of the most powerful family in the country, both relationships were initiated by their royal partners and had little to no ability to say no without a reasonable fear of retaliation, both were used by their royal partners as plaything/distractions with no consideration for their wants, both were placed in direct and imminent danger by their relationships only, both walked away from their royal partners in the end, and both carry disdain and hate for their royal exes for years after. used by their royal partners as plaything/distractions with no consideration for their wants, both were placed in direct and imminent danger by their relationships, both walked away from their royal partners in the end, and both carry disdain and hate for their royal exes for years after.

[@catherinethefantastic8882]

I live for your videos- thank you for this amazing contextualization of Criston, he's so misunderstood by the fanbase.

[@ptptpt123]

this missed me completely, it was right there. he is family now, real family.

[@maesmydog6691]

Sis, I have not come across a creator, whos defending my most misunderstood man, Criston Cole, like you did! Clear and rationally from his own perspective. And I praise you for that!

[@jefftharnish2170]

Obviously had Criston given a "hard no" then the answer would obviously be no but Criston would never say no....because of the implication

[@Emma88178]

Love this video! I also find it interesting that the show decided to make him a Dornishman, even though in the books he's just a Stormlander.

[@eric2500]

The class dynamic is a huge part of every bit of this story and ASOIAF and this whole universe George has created. You see that when the lens expands to other cultures, like the mercantile cultures of Bravos and Pentos, the insanely calcified class structures of Qarth and the slaver cities, and the relaxed and freewheeling cultures of the Summer Islands....and maybe even the freeBOOTING cultures of the pirates of the Stepstones...!

[@eric2500]

Our author loves complex characters, true, but he also keeps using various kinds of heartbreak and their consequences for the heartbroken people's lives, then and in the present of the story.

[@lizetcacho5799]

Another great video! Go off queen!

[@allinoneallinone8850]

I think the show definitely showed his discomfort with the whole thing atleast for me that’s what I saw and he only did it cause he couldn’t deny her

[@darimamitypova6964]

Even though I am not much happy about Criston and Rhaenyra affair in hotd. I think, Criston is capable to refuse Rhaenyra, then she might threaten him to voted out of his position. But it clearly would display Rhae as a bitch in the show, producers couldn't do that. But despite of it, in the seduction scene imagine Criston and Rhaenyra with reverse genders, it would be male boss assaults his female subordinate and it would give different reaction from fans, though male Rhaenyra was younger than Cole.

[@Myrathosghost]

As someone who is autistic....I am uncomfortable with the Dragon Dreamers being considered neurodivergent...when they are literally supposed to be magic people with cryptic dreams.....which is what she is...not neurodivergent....also did you ever think MAYBE She shys away from being touched...because her husband/brother literally physically abuses her and that some victims of physical abuse don't wanna be touched??

[@Janary08]

Well we know that aegon is a piece of shite but we don't know for sure if he is the reason why helaena hates being touched. All we know is that he can only get it up for her if he is drunk because they are siblings forced to make heirs together lol. She said he mostly ignores her Edit: plus, helaena is a precious daughter to alicent and otto so they would never allow aegon to hurt her

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

My main issue is how they changed the situation where he kills Joffrey, then never explain how he got away with it apart from "Alicent protects him". Killing someone at a tourney can be written off as a sort-of accident, but he kills him under the king's roof, where Joffrey is a guest. Not only does he murder someone, he also brings shame to the king and violates guest right. I know it was probably for budget reasons, but this kinda hurts the plot, and the time skip didn't help. I do love him and Alicent having a genuine friendship, though. She doesn't expect him to break his oath, he can be a surrogate dad to the kids, and they protect each other.

[@GeeNoniGee]

This aged badly, lol.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

@@GeeNoniGee Yeah, idk why they fuck now. They could have at least showed how it started?

[@vitorfreitas1682]

KINGMAKER!!!💪🏻💪🏻

[@NadaOQ96]

Your videos are a balm for the soul 💚💚

[@frostycane5134]

So… are you going to revisit criston and the greens after the recent episodes ?

[@shawnjackson3764]

I love book Criston.

[@priceeverett9102]

I don’t think Criston is an incel in any way. I do think he’s a dick and resorts to violence when frustrated ie Joffrey and Lord Beesbury. I understand the greens, but it’s also hard for me to root for them a lot of the time, especially with Aegon II being their king

[@ninjadolphin01]

did the show intend to make him Dornish or did they just not know the Dornish Marches were in the Stormlands?

[@HillsAliveYT]

I'd be very surprised if that was a mistake, Dorne not being a part of the 7K at that point is a pretty big piece of mythology for every person working on the show to forget.

[@ninjadolphin01]

@@HillsAliveYT fair enough I made that assumption on first viewing when I may have been a little uncharitable considering how the other dragon show went. Great video by the way, you're giving me a lot of ammo to be a terrible Green Stan.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

The Dornish marches are dominated by the Reach and Stormlands (like how the Welsh marches were dominated by the english) The Dornishmen in the marches probably identified with Westeros rather than Dorne

[@jdgoesham5381]

You give him too much credit. His whole personality in the book was of him being a jilted lover. Even down to him being with Alicent. It's just a dig at Rhaenyra.

[@soup8900]

I adore your videos so much, I use to try and defend/explain cristons character (he still sucks lol) but its so hard when ppl dont see the depth the writers put into how its all working together!

[@amandadobbs8609]

Since you brought it up.... That business of Alicent stepping TOWARD the danger to stand in front of the King, while Criston stepped BACK to protect...the Queen?? Absurd. He's now the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard-shit, ANY Kingsguard-and he doesn't go directly for the KING? He's in closest proximity to him of any of the other Kingsguard! I get that moment was meant for the drama of a mother protecting her child from another mother, but it was still absurd. And Helaena didn't look scared to me. For once, her entire posture was defiant. I feel like she already knew how that exchange would play out.

[@morningstar003]

That's a really great analysis Thank you ❤

[@d.n.martell]

Okey, I'm gonna watch house of the dragon just because of this video essay

[@mrthanos8140]

Due to his status and experiences it still makes him just that. The show makes this ten times worse by having him bang alicent. He doesn’t care anymore. And he could’ve been having sons with rhea and been the best knight if he would’ve just accepted he had to act publicly they were not together and barely act at that.

[@DarkKing009]

Ser Criston Cole "He was a great Lord Commander is what he was, he tried to save the realm from Maegor with Tits and in this house Ser Criston Cole is a hero! End of the story!"

[@alexmoes3225]

I think part of the problem is that the fact that Hot D takes place over several decades was not well conveyed onscreen. Cole was an especial culprit in this with the actors physical appearance not changing at all from first episode to last.

[@chigusayamamoto5063]

I don’t think he’s even her ex. He’s an SA victim via power dynamic.

[@aleksandrac9335]

Crispin is less than dirt behind queens toenail

[@jjh2456]

Criston is Rhaenyra’s Dyana. IYKYK and no other explanations are needed. I said what a said.

[@chrisd1739]

This is demn complicated and also right. I just have one question: what would happen in case Jace is Cole's son? How would this fit in all this drama?

[@Thrawn23.]

I don't think it would change much as they are both on opposite sides. If Jace is Cole's son that means Rhaenyra gave up on trying to get pregnant by Laenor pretty early. Then hooked up with Harwin

[@carastone3473]

"The real" Criston Cole is what we get in the show. Psycho, simp snowflake. He was not in love with Rhaenyra; he was obsessed with her. If it was love, he wouldn't have turned on her immediately because she refused to walk away from her duty and run away with him. He, of ALL people should understand that her duty is important to her and why (even without the knowledge of the prophecy). Remember, the book was written as an in-universe history book of sorts, authored by multiple UNRELIABLE sources with reason to skew events to make themselves, and their side in the dance, look better. The book itself tells the reader this over and over. It even gives multiple versions of some events. The show, on the other hand, represents us watching the events "actually" unfold, so to speak.

[@greenapples1149]

People can hate on Criston all they want. There is more to him than him being angry at Rhaenyra for rejecting him. People really be calling him an incel because he hates one woman as if said woman's husband isn't a possibly bigger incel, with all the shit he pulled. He wasn't the father of Alicent's children, but he sure stepped up and I'm glad that there was at least one male they could look up to. And yet people wonder why they respect Criston more than they respect Viserys. That was all on the old bastard. He should have paid some attention to them. They were his children too.

[@huxley1559]

I don't approve of my country's green party but I do of the one in Westeros 💚

[@omednazari5573]

you're german?

[@huxley1559]

@@omednazari5573 yup

[@omednazari5573]

@@huxley1559 same haha

[@tempertempernow]

Love everytime theres a new one 🎉 TY

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

It's so cool to see Scott Stapp playing a character in the GOT world! How many knights can say they were the lead singer of Creed!!? Awesome 😎 I guess you could say that Sir Cristan created his own prison.

[@devorahacts]

I can't say if her control over his life was total. If so I'm sure it would have taken only a word to eliminate him, either when he killed Joffrey or when his actions caused the removal of Harwin Strong. I do believe that Criston's and Alicent's family values are what brought them together. And yes they are a real family.

[@lailazayer1127]

Does Criston know about Aegon raping servants girls? If he does, how does he still support him, given that he was in a similar situation to his victims ?

[@lailazayer1127]

I mean it could be cuz of his loyalty to Alicent yet it’s still hypocritical to condone Aegon’s actions when he does it more frequently and to even more vulnerable victims

[@HillsAliveYT]

I doubt it because I don't know why he would, but unfortunately Aegon's actions aren't exactly unusual. As you said, Ser Criston has been victimized in a similar way, Alicent has been victimized in a similar way, and we've seen Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Daemon sexually exploit people as well, so it's simply a part of their incredibly toxic culture. I don't think that he would be happy about it either, I mean we saw that Alicent slapped the shit out of Aegon for doing it, but unfortunately there are bigger things at stake. If he doesn't support Aegon, then the woman who sexually exploited him will wind up on the throne, and all of the people he cares about will also suffer as a result of it. I actually think that's one of the most interesting aspects of the war, because Aegon clearly isn't fit to rule, but neither is Rhaenyra, so the Greens largely have to fight for the claim of an unfit king simply because their lives depend on it if Aegon is the best or the worst king imaginable.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Those servants don't swear a holy vow that if they disobeyed they will go to Hell

[@Ares99999]

@@HillsAliveYTWhy is Rhaenyra as unfit to rule as Aegon?

[@PistachioDean]

Idk but the fact they didn’t make the collar part of his armour fit into place just irks me 😂

[@Julia.C.H]

Hey hello I had a HOTD question. I have only recently found your videos so I haven't watched them all so perhaps you have already talked about this. Was marrying Aegon and Halaena the most tactical marriage for the Greens or would it have been more tactical/strategical to marry them with other houses to create more alliances?

[@Emma88178]

I don't believe Hill's Alive has talked about that yet, but from my understanding in the books (it's been a while since I've read Fire and Blood volume 1) which I'm kind of disappointed they didn't mention in the show, is that the marriage between Aegon and Helaena was made specifically by Alicent basically in order to show Westeros that her children are "true Targaryen's". Even though quite a few Targaryen's had married other noble houses since Aegon's Conquest, they still had a tradition of marrying their sibling, aunt/uncle or first cousin, etc to "keep the bloodline pure" and to show the world their "true dragon blood". Alicent was worried about her son's inheritance and Rhaenyra claiming the throne. So she married them in order to ensure that the people know that her kids are truly Targaryen and the blood of the dragon will remain strong within her grandkids, etc. In other words, "see, my children are keeping the incest traditions while Rhaenyra's kids are strong bastards" kind of a thing. I hope that makes sense.

[@Thrawn23.]

Marrying them together was a tactical move to show they were a traditional targaryen couple with legitamate children. But since they still had Aemond and Daeron they should have already been married off. If Aemond had married a Baratheon once he turned 14 then he could have had a couple kids by the time the dance started. Then get the Tyrells onside with the marrige of Daeron to 1 of his Tyrell cousins. Or Jaehaera to the young lord of Highgarden where she would be safe