House of the Dragon’s biggest flaw is its unlikable characters

Ser Criston Cole

House of the Dragon almost had someone we could root for in the first few episodes — Ser Criston Cole. It seems like forever ago when we all rooted for him as the man to sweep Rhaenyra Targaryen off her feet. He was her best friend, someone who knew her well — things changed quickly. In two episodes, Ser Criston Cole went from the most likable character to one of the worst.

He asked Rhanerya for her hand, and she shot him like Euron Greyjoy’s scorpion bolt. After the time jump and broken heart, Criston comes off as a moody, brooding, vindictive man. He went from love to hate over the years and it was evident when he called her a degrading name — it didn’t stop there.

While training Queen Alicent’s children, Ser Criston Cole manipulated Rhae’s real baby daddy, Harwin Strong to out himself as the father of her children. It was a poor move that failed since King Viserys excused it away. Lyonel Strong knew the truth and forced his son to leave before he got himself killed — some good that did. He has some redeeming qualities and if he has a son we don’t know about, his character can flip, but for now he’s not that guy.