this man
Max
Viserys, Joffrey, Ramsay. They’re all villains, committing various atrocities in Game of Thrones. But no one in this world is more hated than Ser Cryston Cole of the House of the Dragon.
The rage he inspires among his fans is intense, but it’s not because he’s done anything as cruel or brutal as anyone else. He’s just… the worst. That face. When he talks. Everything he does.
Forbes House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 2 Recap and Review: “I Love You, Brother” by Eric Cain
Sir Christon’s “thing” was based on his shame over Rhaenyra rejecting his proposal to run away with him when they were younger, but now he has become a fountain of bad ideas and hypocrisy that descends to utter absurdity in this week’s episode, where we see:
Ser Criston continues to play the role of “whore” for claiming he didn’t want to be with Rhaenyra or Alicent, and his affair may have contributed to Jahaeris’ death, even though he said he was supposed to be “laid down” (meaning he was in bed). To make matters worse, he berates Arik for neglecting his duty when he was literally doing what the King told him to do, but Arik reminds him that the Queen needs her own protection, which Ser Criston would have assigned as Captain of the King’s Guard.
this man
Max Ser Criston comes up with a plan for a “prank” that requires Arik to “pay off” by pretending to be his twin and running to his death to kill Rayla. Even if it had worked, there’s no way he would have escaped with his life. This unauthorized mission could have gone wrong in many ways (what would have happened if his brother had shaved his beard?), and despite almost working out, he still dies. To begin with, it was always a plan based entirely on luck. Rather than being excommunicated for going completely off script, Ser Criston is not only praised by Aegon, but promoted to Hand of the King for coming up with that ridiculous plan, which is probably the most undeserved honor in the history of the universe.
And that’s just in this episode. It was particularly frustrating for anyone who hates Sir Christen, but basically everything he does every week is just frustrating.
Is this all just what they deserve? Shouldn’t we hate Ned-executing Joffrey and dog-manipulating Ramsay more than Ser Cryston? I don’t think so, because I think fans have grudgingly accepted that they are good villains. Ser Cryston is just the embodiment of privilege, stupidity and neutral evil, and continues to be the absolute worst every week.
Follow me please On TwitterThreads, YouTube, Instagram, etc.
Check out my sci-fi novels, the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
