Everybody Hates Sir Criston After 'House of the Dragon' Episode 5: Here's Why
Sometimes talking too much can ruin everything.
Warning: the following article contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon ' episode 5
Episode 5 of 'House of the Dragon' which premiered on Sunday has certainly had fans quickly turning against Sir Criston Cole, Princess Rhaenyra's sworn protector. The reason is pretty simple, as the white knight happened to have spilled the tea... quite literally.
When approached by Queen Alicent and questioned in regard of Rhaenyra's dignity, Criston might have had no idea that the Queen meant Daemon when she was talking about the princess' virtue. He did not even let Alicent to finish the sentence when he immediately revealed his and Rhaenyra's secret to the Queen — something that rendered him a traitor in fans' eyes.
Even though many understand that Sir Criston might not have betrayed Rhaenyra by purpose, they are angry at him for not even letting Alicent finish the sentence. If she did, maybe the situation would not have gone as horribly wrong as it had.
Still, betrayal is betrayal, fans believe.
"What a traitor man. She covered for him and he just throws her under the bus. Can't wait for everyone to hate him when he crowns Aegon," Twitter user Darklarik admitted.
Some people, however, argue that Sir Criston is simply "too honorable for his own good". The knight was never too much into rumors and plots, so he might have genuinely had no idea that rumors were circulating about Rhaenyra's night out with Daemon.
This makes him way too similar to Alicent, some fans noted – and certainly not in a good way.
"So it turns out that Criston is just as much of an annoying straight arrow as Alicent – they deserve each other." – @KirstenDLCO
Earlier in the episode, Sir Criston tried to persuade Rhaenyra to abandon the realm and escape with him to Essos; a suggestion that she politely refused citing her royal duties. It visibly angered Sir Criston; but it is still unclear whether it was Criston's purpose to spill the tea or if it was a horrible accident.
Anyway, Queen Alicent now knows Rhaenyra's secret, even though the latter technically did not lie to her, as she never slept with Daemon. But Rhaenyra's virtue is definitely in question; and now that Alicent has been warned by her departing father Otto Hightower that the upcoming succession squabble might put her and her kids in danger, things might get real ugly.
'House of the Dragon' is currently streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes arriving every Sunday.