House of the Dragon season 3 delivered another brutal chapter as episode 6 claimed one major life and left another fan favorite’s fate hanging in the balance.
The episode, which premiered on HBO on July 26, saw Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) meet his long-awaited end during the Battle of the Butcher’s Ball.
Facing overwhelming numbers in the Riverlands, Criston attempted to confront Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flanagan) and Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) after his forces were surrounded. Before the duel could truly begin, Alysanne Blackwood brought him down with three arrows, one of which struck him in the face.
Criston died clutching a personal keepsake from Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), who had earlier given him a handkerchief embroidered with her initial as a token before he marched off to war. Moments earlier, Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) had walked away after realizing Criston intended to make his final stand rather than retreat.
Before season 3 premiered, Frankel hinted that his character’s journey was moving toward a dark destination.
Speaking to People, the 32-year-old actor said Criston had already accepted that his future would likely end in tragedy after the events of season 2.
“He has accepted some kind of fate that’s not good,” Frankel said, adding that although Criston briefly regains a sense of purpose during season 3, that hope is eventually taken away once again.
Frankel also reflected on the divisive reaction Criston has received from viewers over the years.
While acknowledging it would be difficult to describe the knight as a good person, the actor said he always approached the role by looking for the character’s humanity.
“He’s a human to me, albeit maybe a flawed one,” Frankel explained, adding that he understood why many fans strongly disliked Criston but remained curious whether opinions would change as the story progressed into seasons 3 and 4.
Episode 6 also ended with another shocking moment involving Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint).
The longtime fan favorite, known as the Sea Snake, appeared to be ambushed by soldiers loyal to Ormund Hightower near the episode’s conclusion. During the attack, Corlys was grabbed by the throat and forced to the ground before the screen faded to black.
The series never confirmed whether he survived, leaving one of its most important characters in serious danger heading into the final two episodes of the season.
The latest episode continues a season already filled with devastating losses.
The season 3 premiere featured the heartbreaking death of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), a loss Emma D’Arcy previously described as “an unquantifiable loss” for Queen Rhaenyra.
Episode 2 then brought back Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) before ending with his execution. D’Arcy said that moment marked a major turning point for Rhaenyra, suggesting there was no going back after ordering the death of her late father’s longtime Hand.
With only two episodes remaining this season, the battle for the Iron Throne continues to grow deadlier as the Dance of the Dragons pushes both sides closer to total destruction.
