Why did Criston Cole kill Joffrey? ‘Home of the Dragon’s wedding ceremony scene, defined

Completely satisfied weddings don’t occur in Westeros.

Sport of Thrones followers have been ready for the nuptials in Home of the Dragon’s fifth episode to show ugly, having witnessed a number of vicious Westerosi weddings on-screen. No blushing bride or grinning groom was secure on Thrones, and Home of the Dragon hasn’t modified that rule.

Spoilers for Episode 5, and probably future episodes, forward!

Following the ugly aftermath of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (Milly Alcock) and Laenor Velaryon’s (Theo Nate) reception, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) runs off from the banquet he ruined after murdering Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod). Consumed by disgrace and envy, Criston kneels by the divine Weirwood tree within the Crimson Preserve and contemplates suicide. Simply as he’s about to undergo with it, Queen Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) stops him in his tracks to shut Episode 5.

Why does she try this? Probably the most possible rationalization is that Alicent sees Criston as a sufferer of the Targaryen princess’ deceit. George R.R. Martin’s prequel novellas present proof that whereas Alicent and Criston turn into companions, they accomplish that out of mutual hatred, not love.

Do Ser Criston Cole and Queen Alicent Hightower turn into lovers?

Rhaenyra’s lies in Episode 4 result in Alicent’s father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), being booted from courtroom, even after the queen begged her husband to point out mercy. When Alicent learns that Rhaenyra did in actual fact lose her virginity, she wages social warfare in opposition to her former pal by sporting Home Hightower inexperienced to the marriage reception.

Furthermore, Rhaenyra’s willingness to misinform everybody concerning the true nature of her marriage with Laenor Velaryon, and maintain Criston as her sidepiece as an alternative of operating off with him to Essos, is what pushes him over the sting. As a knight of the Kingsguard, Criston took his vow to stay chaste significantly, and Joffrey’s teasing of Criston concerning the pact between Laenor and Rhaenyra to secretly mattress who they need makes Criston lash out and beat the Knight of the Kisses to a pulp in entrance of their respective lovers.

Each Alicent and Criston see Rhaenyra as the first explanation for their woes. Is that shared disdain sufficient for Alicent and Criston to bond over?

Platonically, sure. Within the prequel texts, Alicent and Criston stay thick as thieves, always scheming to topple Rhaenyra and her direct descendants from the Iron Throne. Neither categorical a need to get intimate, and each share distorted beliefs about advantage and morality, which doesn’t allow them to break their vows however does allow them to bend the regulation. Each are obsessive about bringing justice to a perceived evil and menace to the traditions of King’s Touchdown in Rhaenyra, and each are obsessive about getting away with doing dangerous for the better good.

Do Ser Criston Cole and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen get again collectively?

Home of the Dragon isn’t a fairytale romance. It’s a household drama rife with graphic ferocity and political intrigue, with the occasional dragon thrown in for good measure. There’s little time for intimacy once you’re so busy plotting the downfall of your enemies. If Home of the Dragon continues to usually observe its supply materials, the top of Episode 5 marks the top of Rhaenyra and Criston’s love story, in addition to the top of something romantic that might have transpired between Alicent and Rhaenyra, or Alicent and Criston.

Criston’s hostility in the direction of Rhaenyra after she rejects his proposal to ditch the crown and be his runaway bride by no means ceases within the prequel texts. In reality, it solely poisons his coronary heart additional. In the meantime, Rhaenyra’s frustrations with Criston develop after he murders her husband’s boyfriend, instantly souring the already undesirable circumstances between Rhaenyra and Laenor.

From right here on out, the one flirting achieved by Home of the Dragon’s protagonists will probably be flirting with energy.

Home of the Dragon Episode 6 airs on HBO on Sunday, September 25.