The dark Criston Cole moment that will have everyone cheering is officially set up by a scene before the Battle at Rook’s Rest in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4. While initially quite a likable character as he began a budding romance and connection with Young Rhaenyra, Criston Cole has quickly become the most hated House of the Dragon character. From essentially dedicating his life to getting revenge against Rhaenyra, self-righteously blaming others for his own sins, hypocritically condemning others, and even starting a relationship with Alicent Hightower, Cole continues to lose sympathy with each episode.

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, Criston Cole continues his campaign through the Crownlands as he takes Duskendale, the seat of House Darklyn. Sacking his castle is the lead-up to his secret plan with Aemond at Rook’s Rest, which culminates in the deaths of Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys, her dragon. However, before setting off to Rook’s Rest, Criston beheads Lord Darklyn for refusing to bend the knee to King Aegon, with this execution foreshadowing the end of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard’s story in House of the Dragon.

Lord Darklyn’s Last Words Set Up Criston Cole’s Death

Criston is killed after being deemed a traitor

When Criston prepares to execute Gunthor Darklyn (father of Steffon, Lord Commander of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard), the Lord of Duskendale tells him that he’s unfit to wear the white cloak, with Criston responding that he’s getting a “better death than a traitor deserves.” In his final words, Lord Darklyn remarks to Criston that “[his death] will come in kind,” implying that the Lord Commander of Aegon’s Kingsguard will meet a brutal demise himself. As it turns out, Lord Darklyn isn’t too far off from predicting how Criston Cole dies in House of the Dragon.

After killing Criston in the “Butcher’s Ball,” Team Black decapitates him and carries his severed head on a spear to the First Battle of Tumbleton.

Criston Cole is among the major casualties in the Dance of the Dragons, as he dies in battle soon after Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing from Aegon. When traveling to the Reach from Harrenhal, Criston and his weakened host meet Team Black’s forces of Riverlanders and Northmen south of the Gods Eye. While he offers to surrender, Team Black refuses. Criston is then deemed a traitor before being fatally shot by arrows from Red Robb Rivers and fellow archers. After killing Criston in the “Butcher’s Ball,” Team Black decapitates him and carries his severed head on a spear to the First Battle of Tumbleton.

When Will Criston Cole Die In House Of The Dragon?

Criston’s death will arrive before the war comes to an end

Rhaenyra is expected to take King’s Landing at the end of House of the Dragon season 2 or early in season 3. The Butcher’s Ball will likely occur within a few episodes of that event, depending on when the series decides to integrate the Battle of the Gullet, which is seemingly being delayed to House of the Dragon season 3. Since he dies after the Fall of King’s Landing but before Daemon and Aemond’s fatal duel at Harrenhal in Fire & Blood, the best current estimate is that Criston Cole will die about halfway through House of the Dragon season 3.

House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Remaining Episodes

Episode #
Release Date

5
July 14

6
July 21

7
July 28

8
August 4

Criston Cole’s Death Is One Of The North’s Biggest House Of The Dragon Moments

The North Becomes More Important As The War Goes On

The rather satisfying death of Criston Cole will be one of the North’s biggest moments in House of the Dragon. Unlike Game of Thrones, which would take place in several locations across Westeros, House of the Dragon has so far been set mainly in King’s Landing in Dragonstone. There was only a brief Stark cameo in the first season of the Game of Thrones prequel, whereas Cregan Stark of Winterfell only got a couple of lines in season 2’s premiere. However, the Northmen will slowly become more important as the show goes on.

The first half of House of the Dragon season 2 has already expanded the scope of the show, particularly with Damian’s adventures in Harrenhal and the attention given to the Riverlands. As said by Criston Cole himself, “The Riverlands are the key to the war, and Harrenhal is the key to the Riverlands.” Ironically, Ser Criston will meet his fate partially due to his plans of securing Harrenhal and the Riverlands for the greens. Criston Cole’s death will be a major victory for the Winter Wolves and the Rivermen who supported Team Black.

Not only will Fishfeed be a big moment for the Starks in House of the Dragon , but it will also set up Criston Cole’s death right after.

Just before Criston’s death, the Northmen and the Rivermen had already secured Team Black another major victory in the Battle by the Lakeshore. Also known as Fishfeed, this battle saw the black and green factions coming at each other near the Gods Eye. The Lannisters, initially led by Jason Lannister, made for most of the green army in this battle, whereas Team Black consisted of Starks and lords of the Riverlands. Not only will Fishfeed be a big moment for the Starks in House of the Dragon, but it will also set up Criston Cole’s death shortly after.

Criston Cole’s Beheading Will Shockingly Reverse A Horrifying Game Of Thrones Death

This Time, Northmen Will Behead A Lord From The South

Apart from the final season, Game of Thrones was usually not very kind to the Starks. Perhaps the biggest example of it is the fate of Robb Stark, the “Young Wolf,” who was beheaded and had his body paraded by the Freys and the Lannisters following the Red Wedding. The Starks’ enemies even replaced Robb’s head with the one from his direwolf. In House of the Dragon, however, House Stark will be luckier. In fact, Ser Criston’s death will shockingly reverse Robb Stark’s. Here, the Northmen and the Riverland lords will behead Criston and parade his head on a stick.

Whereas Robb Stark was an overall popular character who was a lot of people’s favorite, Criston Cole’s horrifying death will surely not leave many people disappointed. Game of Thrones was great at giving “villains” and disliked characters satisfying deaths, and it should be no different in House of the Dragon. Criston Cole’s death will also be a major moment story-wise, as the character has been one of the pillars of the show since its first episode. Once Ser Criston dies, the war will be coming to an end.

Despite briefly serving as Hand of the King after the war, Cregan Stark refuses to be one of Aegon III’s regents.

Plenty of A Song of Ice and Fire conflicts eventually come down to Southern houses meeting houses from the North in the battlefield, including the Dance of the Dragons. Interestingly, an argument can be made that Cregan Stark was the real winner of the Dance of the Dragons. The Lord of Winterfell eventually helps rebuild the kingdom after the war as Aegon III’s hand in what became known as the “Hour of the Wolf.” This should be the Stark’s biggest moment in House of the Dragon alongside the land battles and Ser Criston’s death.