The death of Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon season 3 was another brilliant reflection of a key theme in the Game of Thrones franchise. Cole was an easy character to dislike in the series, as he presented himself as a heroic and noble knight, never acknowledging the hypocrisy of his actions. Still, his death was an impactful one and surprised many fans.
House of the Dragon season 3 saw Cole leading the Green army, seemingly in an unwinnable position in the war. However, it soon became clear that Cole was chasing something other than victory. His final scene and shocking death commented on those misguided hopes and how they have been shared by many in this franchise.
Game of Thrones shows how the heroic stories don't match reality
Throughout Game of Thrones and its spinoffs, it is well-established that Westeros is a place filled with rich stories. Tales of knights, princes, and princesses are passed down through the generations and shared with reverence by the smallfolk. However, the franchise also comments on how untrue these stories often are.
Characters like Sansa Stark begin their journeys by imagining a life as they hear about in the songs and stories, only to be introduced to the brutal reality of the world. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms shares this theme, as Ser Duncan the Tall holds knighthood in high esteem only to find more dishonorable knights than honorable ones.
One of the biggest twists in Game of Thrones is the revelation that the entire story about Robert's Rebellion was built on a lie. Lyanna Stark was not a captured bride in need of rescue, but rather a young woman in love who wanted to start a new life. However, the stories distract people from the truth.
Criston Cole tragically thought he would be a hero
In House of the Dragon season 3, Ser Criston Cole finds himself faced with an impossible mission. Understanding that going forward would only mean death, Gwayne Hightower urges Cole to abandon the mission and seek out a new life as a knight for House Hightower.
However, Cole reveals that he is well aware that he will not survive the war and has no intention of doing so. In a powerful speech, he explains that he will fight on and die a glorious death on the battlefield, which will be immortalized in songs and stories that everyone will remember long after he is gone.
When Cole's time comes, his army is surrounded, and he is ready for his final heroic charge. Instead, he is shot several times by an archer before he can take a step and dies in the mud as the rest of his army is slaughtered. It is a shockingly abrupt end that is perfect for the Kingmaker.
Cole was always a character who thought he was owed more than he actually deserved. He wanted love and respect, but never earned it. Once again, he presumes he is owed a legacy as a hero simply because he wants one. He mistakenly thought he was the hero of the story, only to learn in his death that he was never meant to be remembered.
The first three seasons of House of the Dragon are streaming now on HBO Max. It's fourth and final season is due to begin filming in early 2027.
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