For years, Game of Thrones fans reveled in the satisfying demise of King Joffrey, one of television's most hated villains. Now, House of the Dragon has delivered its own version of that cathartic moment. In Season 3 Episode 6, the character many viewers love to loathe—Ser Criston Cole—finally gets his comeuppance.
Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) has been a thorn in Rhaenyra's side ever since his rejection by a young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) turned him bitter and vengeful. This season, he's been leading a doomed campaign, delusionally calling himself the realm's greatest warrior while his army dwindles. When the Starks and Tullys corner him, Cole asks for a proper duel, but instead meets a swift end by arrows—a fittingly anticlimactic death that mirrors the fate of Prince Jace (Harry Collett), whom Cole once tormented.
Meanwhile, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is on the warpath after discovering his Goldcloaks slaughtered. With tensions between him and Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) at a peak, he's determined to find the killers, though Ormund Hightower (James Norton) is clearly pulling the strings. Ormund, fresh off a battle, hosts a weary Gwayne (Freddie Fox), who abandoned Cole's losing fight. Daeron (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) confides in his uncle, desperate for news of his mother, Alicent, and eager to escape Ormund's grip.
Over in the Vale, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) faces Lady Jeyne Arryn's (Amanda Collin) wrath after being spotted with Sheepstealer. Her sister Baela (Bethany Antonia) takes a break from dragon hunting to share a romantic moment with her half-uncle, Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim). And Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) finds love—and secrets—with the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), who reveals she's been guarding at least five unhatched dragon eggs.
This episode also ties into the broader House of the Dragon lore, echoing the franchise's signature unpredictability. For more on the show's connections to its predecessor, check out our guide to mapping the Targaryen family tree. And if you're curious about other cast members, Matthew Needham's casting as the Joker in Batman: Caped Crusader is a fun crossover.
With Criston Cole's death, House of the Dragon proves it still knows how to deliver the shocking, character-driven moments that made Game of Thrones a phenomenon. The episode leaves viewers eager to see how the remaining players—Daemon, Aemond, and the Hightowers—will shape the war's next chapter.
