Ser Criston Cole is a very lucky man!
Initially introduced as an honourable warrior who pledged his sword to the young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the character was taken in a much darker direction in the closing moments of last week's episode of House of the Dragon when he brutally beat Laenor Velaryon's lover Joffrey (not that Joffrey) to death for taunting him about his sexual relationship with Rhaenyra.
We then saw the shamed knight make his way outside and prepare to take his own life before being stopped by Queen Alicent Hightower, and he was still standing proudly by her side after the 10-year time-jump when we caught up with them in this past Sunday's instalment.
So, how in seven hells did Ser Criston escape execution, or at the very least imprisonment, after murdering someone in front of King Viserys and practically everyone else in King's Landing?
While speaking to EW, the show's co-creator Ryan Condon was asked that very question.
"There were mistakes made. It was a different time. Alicent saves his life. That's what that final scene is telling you. Alicent goes in there and saves his life and begs for his life and honor with the king and wins. And then he is absolutely, as we see in episode 6, 100 percent devoted to her."
Okay, assuming we buy this explanation, wouldn't Laenor - himself a formidable warrior - still seek vengeance? Sure, a decade has passed, but seeing your lover's face being obliterated is not something you get over very easily.
We might learn more about what happened over the past ten years in a future episode, but one thing is for sure, fans are very much hoping to see the now bitter and spiteful Ser Criston Cole get what's coming to him.
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