Now that House of the Dragon season 3 has surpassed the dreaded halfway point, we're zooming to the final three episodes of the season, which are set to deliver some of the deadliest moments of the season yet. That's saying something for a season that has already been plenty deadly. But one of the season's expected deaths just received quite the heartbreaking tease.
In House of the Dragon season 3 episode 5, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) continued to lead his ragtag group of soldiers through the Riverlands after his decision in the previous episode to attack the Black army, which is far more formidable and powerful. Trudging through the woods in episode 5, Criston and his soldiers are positively going through it, their hope all but lost.
During a particularly poignant and memorable moment in the episode, Criston sits down for a conversation with Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), and their talk ended up being rather pointed and telling for the audience. We haven't spent this much time specifically focused on Criston all season, making the words he was saying urgent, important, and a direct foreshadowing of his death.
Criston Cole foreshadows his own death in House of the Dragon season 3 epiosde 5
Throughout his conversation with Gwayne, Criston speaks highly of himself and his abilities as a warrior, but he also expresses his certainty about their fate. Despite knowing their attack on the Black army and all that happened thereafter would lead to a battle they probably couldn't win, Criston words to Gwayne are pretty devastating in their resolve. He's speaking his truth.
In this scene, Criston mentions that he wants people to write songs about him and how he fought, and as those who read the books know, the mention of writing songs about Criston references the moment he dies in the book. Despite putting on this air of confidence, you can tell Criston retains some level of fear, and that will certainly be present in the upcoming scene adapting his death.
House of the Dragon season 3 has been changing aspects of the source material thus far, so it's possible that the specifics of Criston's death could be modified for television and the story the show is telling. But in the book, Criston dies with dishonor as his enemies mention to him that they refuse to give him an opportunity to fight to prevent songs being sung about his heroic efforts, since his actions have caused the deaths of so many in the war.
Obviously, having Criston forthright admit that he wants people to remember him for being a hero and sing songs about how well he fought is setting up the endgame of his story, which thanks to his nihilism and ego, will be brutal. Once the fateful moment does happen later on in season 3, House of the Dragon fans probably won't be writing or singing songs about Criston—at least, not positive ones.
Since the beginning of House of the Dragon's run, fans haven't taken kindly to Ser Criston Cole, thanks to his choices, behavior, and just his characterization in general. The reaction to the character was unfair to Frankel, who bore the brunt of his character's hatred despite not being a morally reprehensible knight and just bringing Criston to life with his incredible talent.
Criston's time could be coming to an end in House of the Dragon season 3 in advance of the finale, as rumors have suggested that Frankel wrapped up filming with episode 6. Criston will meet his maker during the Butcher's Ball, and the bloody battle is right around the corner. Whether the series follows what happens in the book remains to be seen, but we're getting closer to Criston's death.
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