If you think about it Jamie and Criston are almost parallel opposites. Criston is a low-born with nothing and latches onto his duties as a kings guard to give his life some meaning. He wears a cloak of honour to justify his horrific personality and values. Jamie is a high born man who also wanted to become a kings guard to give his life meaning as well. However unlike Cole he uses his cloak to mask his true values of loyalty and duty and instead puts on a front of disloyalty and heinousness when in reality he's a man of good character and virtue, he is the inverse of Criston. The kingmaker title is given to a knight who's dishonourable but believed to be honourable. The kingslayer title is given to a knight who’s honourable but is believed to be dishonourable.

Ser Arryk has literally soiled his actual cloak by doing his duty. He has protected the queen in the muddy streets and not eaten all day. In stark contrast to Cole...

Ser Butthurt Cole of Self-Righteous Projection

Criston Cole's death is going to be the most cathartic death ever depicted.

Personally, I long for the day people will give his flowers to Fabien Frankel. Bruh has managed to make Crispy Froglegs so unlikeable and I think he deserves praise for his acting, because even though it's not as taxing as Olivia's or Rhys' or Tom's or Phia's or Emma's, it still serves the narrative. For example, when he had his temper tantrum towards Arryk.

I think the seeds of his fall were there from the very first, long before he soiled his cloak. He believed himself unworthy to be around the lords, being a 'simple commoner' and soldier, and never had the inner strength to surmount those doubts and prove doubters wrong. He lost his honour because subconsciously he always expected to lose it. Now he's become the brute he believes they all want him to be.

If Criston had a podcast, it'd be called Failing Up with Criston Cole, and he'd be hella popular in the manosphere.

it's funny, but Fabien Frankel's mom told him that his character is going to be a dishonorabe villaine after watching episode 1, season 1, because the tornney scene looked like foreshadowing to her after he striked Daemon behind his back

"There's nothing left of him now, but violence." That line summed his character arc up perfectly! Well said, Ser! Well, said!

Ser Criston is not only a brave and skillful warrior, but a cunning linguist.

Spoilers for the end of S2E2: Notice after Erryk kills Arryk, he takes himself out the same way Criston started to after killing Joffrey Lonmouth, before Alicent intervened. Yet another nod to Erryk being far honorable than Criston, and to Criston projecting on those around him.

He's a great character. I'm probably more sympathetic to him than David, but that's a low bar. He is defined by self-loathing, a type of self-loathing that he turns outward. He broke his vows for love. And he was willing to break even more of his vows for love, but his simpistic solution of running away with his love was rejected. And so, he devalued both his love and his lover. He hates himself and blames his lover - turning her into some sort of monster in his own mind. He's a lot like the early version of Sansa. He believed in chivalric ideals and his life had been something of a fairy tale. But when he was confronted with the reality that he wasn't the protagonist, he broke. He and Alicent may have more positive feelings for each other, but you get the impression that they are indulging each other's self-loathing. They might enjoy the sex, but the guilt is the drug. Each episode of indulgence validates their self-loathing while they bond over their love/hate relationships with Rhaenyra. It's funny. Both Alicent and Cole effectively won their own versions of the Game of Thrones. They got to the highest positions they could aspire to within the feudal system. And it broke them. It's a great addition and very consistent with George's theme about feudalism being a pretty terrible system that we should probably stop romanticising.

broken man Criston, except no one knows that he’s broken

Ok, so I'm going to play Devil's Advocate a little here with Criston, especially regarding Rhaenyra. (Not defending his immature grudge holding just trying to explain it from his side as incel as it is) Rhaenyra chose Him to be Her knight, that made him feel special & worthy. They spent ALOT of time together in which he accompanied her everywhere even when she was rebelling, listened to her complain about how she hated all the politics & being a princess & having to do princess stuff like pick a suitor & oh how she just wanted to run away... And he heard that & took it heart. He thought he was her confidant & trusted protector, he thought she was unhappy. He thought she needed rescuing. He thought they had something special. Then she initiates sexy time with him (he has no context for what happened with Daemon) & he thinks it means something more than passion. He thinks it's special. And he thinks she feels the same way towards him as he does towards her. And after hearing Rhaenyra bitch about her duties blahblahblah, asks her to runaway with him AND SHE SCOFFS at the idea. Their affair is not legitimate or important in her eyes, it's a secret & must be kept that way. Don't be ridiculous. He's confused, he's hurt, he feels used & humiliated & put in his place. Suddenly his princess isn't so perfect or in need of rescuing. He didn't really know her & he wasn't special & he's not good enough for marriage or a gallant knight...oh no he feels small & sad...but wait--He was led on, that temptress seduced him, he broke his vow for her & sullied his honor & this is how she repaid him. That bitch. He'll show her by doing something completely inappropriate like killing her husband's boyfriend at their wedding. 😮 Pretty much Criston's emotional range. I don't think his being hurt by the rejection or shamed by the affair is out of line, but daaaaaaaamn dude your pride is a little fragile. Anger is always more empowering than sorrow but it will burn you out if that's all that drives you. Righteous indignation is just shame turned inside out. (True for Allicent as well) Do I like Criston as a person? no not really he has no self awareness but I can understand why he acts the way he does. He's tough physically, but has no emotional resiliance or moderation. That's why he is so fixated on hating Rhaenyra because she made him feel small. And he can't let the hate go cuz feeling hurt makes him feel weak & he's not weak. He'll show her...lashes out in some inappropriate manner to feel powerful again.

You wouldn't have think hard and look far to find a Criston among your co-workers in most corporate businesses

“His face is quite punchable.” You put into words exactly what I feel anytime I see him on scene better than I could ever do

He is in self destruction mode. Specially after he goes to prince Jahaerys room and sees his bed filled with blood that might set too much guilt into him which he took out on ser Arryk

It's fitting that Jaime was the POV who introduced Criston in ASOIAF. He gives off season 1 Jaime vibes. The writers have already tweaked some characters and events; maybe before the end Criston will have a chance to show himself as the man Jaime became.

I honestly missed this about him... when he asked her to runaway with him like I figured he wanted to build his honor somewhere else but like this makes more sense he's mixing up honor and his own self worth or his pride... This character could have come off as dollar store Jaime lannister but everyone really worked to make him his own thing and an interesting villian

Criston is the character Jamie started as and fronts as. He just needs his Brienne and a weirwood dream. Or a punch in the face

For me Cole is the worst/best villain in asoif, because while a Joffrey and Ramsey are evil and depraved, their over-the-top wickedness doesn’t strike a nerve like Cole does; I’ve met a few Coles in the real world, and that’s triggering enough.

new theme music has really grown on me, great vid

I totally see it. He is trying to bring everyone to the mud with him. In the end, I also took it as a power move. Every sex scene with Alicent she was "dominating" she was the boss. Now, he is the hand of the king, which gives him more power than her. So he goes to her room and grabs her, dominating. This is a totally change of the dynamics they had.

Idk if im alone in this but im loving Criston Cole, the actor is killing it.

Boremund is Jocelyn Baratheon's brother and she is the mother to Rhaenys so wouldn't he be her uncle rather than cousin and her cousin would be Borros?

It’s VERY punchable 😂

When Alicent was talking a bath in episode 2; the camera’s pov seemed like someone was watching her while hidden. Did anybody else catch that?

Man, how lucky is Criston Cole? He got the HAWK TUAH from Rhaenyra & Alicent! He's like, barely highborn.

Cole is the type of people phrase "every acusation is admition" was coined.

50 shades of Green 😂😂😂

Ser Criston Cole is far closer to the Hound and the mountain that rides of House Clegane. If either character knew how to calm down and turn down the intimidation. There is a certain simplicity to the character and how he perceives the world. But if you try to use them his anger and vengeance are terrible.

That is a really good partial explanation of Ser Criston Cole. But, I wish it took in all of what we know about him and not just the events which occurred after Rhaenyra (rightly) spurned his offer of marriage. Ser Criston Cole, a noble of a minor house, was raised to knighthood for his bravery in battle. He makes his way to King’s Landing, takes part in the tourney, and defeats Daemon - as well as getting the princess’s attention. She raises him to the Kingsguard and he becomes her sworn shield. In time they become confidants and, dare I say, friends. Then, Rhaenyra seduces him and they have their affair. All of this informs everything that happened afterward. Moreover, I think you have to take into account the power structure here. It wasn’t just his friend Rhaenyra who took him to bed. It was his princess, the heir to the throne. Criston is not the lead in this “relationship”, he is the inferior like the secretary (man or woman) who sleeps with the boss that started it all. And now he’s doing it again with Allicent. Or, to put it correctly, she’s doing it with him. Now, saying this doesn’t absolve him of the things he’s done or the fact that he is wallowing in his guilt. But, it gives a fuller picture of the man you were tryin to explain.

So nice to be working and see this pop up! Thanks for such a wonderful channel and great material!

I appreciate you doing these video essays, David. Thank you.

I think Criston is actively trying to do things which are dishonourable but effective, to prove to himself that being dishonourable was good all along, actually, because it freed him to do what was necessary. Unfortunately he also isn't very effective.

Even with the simplified way it's written, Compared to other actors Fabien has a one dimensional character and the writing limits his range but he is carrying that character . It's sad to see people harassing him on Instagram, and what bothers me the most isn’t the crazy "comments" but the number of likes they get.

Thank you for making work that much better with this release ❤

Ser c. Is like when someone has depression and decides willing to do all the wrong things. Not because of the depression but of just sheer spite. Broken he may be but its amazing how he just in charge.

5:00 I thought about this immediately when this scene happened. You really hit the nail on the head with Criston's characterization and performance of virtue while knowingly lacking anything of the sort.

Cole might have guilt and feelings of unworthiness, but this fellow is certainly failing upwards😂. Promoted to the Hand.

you should definitely do more of these quick 5min videos! i hate criston - rather, what he's become - but he's so fascinating.

You should really do more of this 5 to 10 min format.

If Criston is a villain, Daemon must be the Devil incarnate.

Ser Criston Cole he is my Psychopathic Knight, loyal to the end. Ser Criston Cole is like a hellhound not good at anything but fighting. Though he's excellent at fighting.

He’s the worst. Driven by anger, guilt and his self-righteousness, which makes him almost unpredictable. This is the worst kind of person to have power…

It’s interesting how Criston Cole is so hated but Daemon is revered. Goes to show how hypocritical people are

I couldn't watch all your stream on Monday as the internet wasn't letting it play properly but you did have 1.3K views an I hadn't watched the episode as yet So this video is spot on glad you made this video as I do wonder will Rhaenyra find out it was crispin who sent the Arryk to kill her I also think Otto knows or is suspicious of Alicent an crispin especially after she says I've sinned Anyway thank you so much praise Garth 💨💨 enjoy your week

snazzy new intro

Wooo! What up Dave! What up MythFam!🎉

2:37 How could he have seriously thought that was an option. It is like he set himself up for disappointment. And with that gave up being good at his job and blaming everyone else.

good analysis. i didn’t really know what to make of criston but this makes sense

0:13 Man you are generous with 5 mins 😭 😂

I want to see David fight Cole.. Lightbringer is the hero we need!!

Sir Aryk should have just switched sides, after all Rhaenyra was the rightful heir; him serving Aegon was the actual shame to his cloak

That new intro is🔥 we need the full version to be released!

He has a serious case of crazy eyes

My friend that I watch the show with made the comment "he's projecting like IMAX."

Been loooving the trippy into music!

He’s mediocre and consistently wants to drag some woman into his mediocrity. When rhaenery said no to his mediocre orange seller plan, she became the villain! He’s now trying to drag Alicent into the same mediocrity. I can’t stand Alicent but I hope she resists it at some point. He’s the worst! Great actors doing a fantastic job!

2:01 huh huh, you said "doo doo"

One of the only redeemable qualities of Alicent was at least she loves her kids. Well, that has pretty much went out the window.

I want a deep breakdown on the symbols on your commissioned Hightower. Please David, please 🙏 😢

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN 😂😂😂 The Septon said it in the book- if Cristin spurned one via, what's a marriage vow?

Loving the intro... Criston has the violent tendencies of an absolute psychopath, while larys has the cool ,calculating ways of a sociopath

I really love how your hate for the character was so strong that you just had to make this dis track cause I’m right there with you and I fully support this.

The show has done such a good job at adding depth to an enigmatic character. I see Criston as another Westerosi character who was put in an impossible position by his society's BS codes of law, honor, class, and masculinity, and it drove him mad. He now lives with a complex of shame and self-loathing combined with righteous indignation and contempt. He's a bit like Jaime, someone who has been jaded so badly he can't tell right from wrong, but unlike Jaime, Criston is filled with hatered. He is such a fun villain!

Cole's response to Alicent almost sounds flippant to me, like he views even the idea of absolution laughable now. Very dangerous indeed

Can I just say the Hightower funky music is 🔥? Stuck in my head all week! Any downloads available anywhere???

Love this

Hugh should have asked Aegon "And what is to be done about The Queen Who Never Was and her dragon for their crimes?" and Aegon would say "Sunfyre and Vhagar will search the skies for her and make an end to the cunts"

Appreciate this short little video in light of the harassment the actor is receiving online.

theme music is great!

Analysis on POINT! Dave, there's only one thing I would change... No offense, but the new music is hurting my ears :( It's like a long serrated knife being shoved back and forth into my brain. WHYYY

The weird thing about Criston's face being punchable is the actor is actually a very nice dude and not at all punchable, but somehow all that is inverted when he gets into the role and suddenly all his features come together in unison and morph into this extremely punchable whole...

Criston in the books 🗿 Criston in the show 🐀🤡

I don't know what the writers have planned for him. I don't see the point of his character the way he's written as of now.

Dude is still hung up on the high school sweetheart who dumped him the summer before college. Been down bad ever since.

He did Try to kill himself to atone but that’s still a cop out in my opinion

I don't like how his character is portrayed in show i think they did not know what to do with him so the went this way but where is the kingmaker ?

Agreed oh enlighten one 💯 ❤

Completely off topic, but after having listened to the song, and then watching this video, I am struck by how well "fruits" by Paris Paloma fits Cole and Alicent. The whole "my love are you the devil, I would worship you instead of him, I have no time for confession, for I am to busy committing sins" being a line played from both the seduced and seducer angle. I'm gonna forever make that connection now.

"Punchable" is an understatement. "A pike through his face"

The opening statement lmao

Do I like Criston? No. Do I love that all the characters on HotD are complex and have their own trauma/emotional experience/personality that make them deep and interesting characters to watch? Absolutely Y E S

@David Lightbringer remember his potential Sepuku in the wedding scene

Why is Ser Criston in the Knight book? Joeffrey mentioned his good deeds.

Great video! You cant help but laugh at how much hypocrisy is going on 🤣

Tbh, I didn’t consider Fabien in the top actors in S1. But, he may now be one of the best given how much he makes the audience hate him. And the hatred only grew little by little over the 12 episodes. Fabien is actually bringing a lot of depth to the character which I didn’t think existed.

Would have been a lot smarter to have Arryk get to Dragonstone at night, also why braid Rhaenerya's hair if she's going to sleep?

I'm still not sure what to think of the Cole/Alicent relationship, because I don't really get a feel what that relationship is based in.

Doesn't make sense that Aegon III and Viserys II look exactly the same but the Targ twins look 5 years older

I think the show might pull out a surprise, and have Jace’s father be Criston (with the other 2 as Harwin’s). And if they do, I hope Criston learns that before he dies.

Yo... I got an idea about ASOIAF that you have t brought to the table yet. I would like to see you be the first to research it. I did as far as I'm able. Anyway. I don't want to give the idea to everyone else. How do I privately message you?

Why are Rhaenys and Corlys thinking Daemon will go rogue when they know he's going to Harrenhal talking about needed him at Dragonstone, how is he to help chillin' at Dragonstone?

And doesn't Addam have ships to build instead of collecting seashells, wtf?

Vengeance for Arryk!

What promise is Mysaria talking about like she knows Daemon is going to Harrenhal somehow when she's locked in a cell?

🚨🚨⏰🔔🔔DO A VIDEO ON THE WHITE WORMS SCAR PLEASE

House Targaryen cannot judge him, I still love Psychopathic Peacock Kingmaker. A simple knight from the Dornish Marches.

Ser Asshat Cole of House Take-No-Accountability-For-My-Actions