Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
Ser Criston Cole is a character I love to hate, but there’s another character that might deserve the top spot onHouse of the Dragon’s “most hated” character list after the season 2 finale. Fabien Frankel’s Criston wasn’t always an enemy withinHouse of the Dragon’s character list. In fact, the loyal Kingsguard seemed like one to root for in the show’s early episodes. That all changed after he beat a man to death during Rhaenyra’s wedding, switched his allegiance to Alicent, and later allowed his ill will towards Rhaenyra’s previous rejections to affect the treatment of her children.
ByHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s ending, Criston didn’t do much to redeem himself, at least not in my eyes. I understand he was hurt when Rhaenyra turned down his marriage proposal, but his actions that followed stemmed from pure pettiness. Though his loyalty resulted in him becoming Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and eventually, the Hand of the King, he’s been mostly motivated by wanting revenge on Rhaenyra rather actually supporting the Greens. His eventual affair with Alicent also made them both hypocrites. Still, I have a new character that I will continue to hate inHouse of the Dragonseason 3.
When Alicent Saved Criston Cole’s Life (Twice) In House Of The Dragon
Criston Cole refers to Alicent Hightower saving his life twice in House of the Dragon. Here’s what he’s referring to and what it all means.
Alfred Broome Openly Lies To Rhaenyra & Betrays Her Simply Because She’s A Woman
Alfred Has Shown Misogynistic Tendencies From The Start
Rhaenyra’s sworn knight revealed that they needed a “king” to lead them.
Move over, Criston Cole, because Ser Alfred Broome is coming for your spot as the most hatedHouse of the Dragoncharacter, and rightfully so. To be honest, Alfred hasn’t made much of a difference in the prequel series thus far, at least in my opinion. Sure, he’s from a noble house and amember of Rhaenyra’s small council, but other than countering all of Rhaenyra’s decisions, he’s never offered anything useful. However, in “The Queen Who Ever Was,“Alfred not only lied to Rhaenyra regarding his intentions, but he also betrayed his queen because she’s a woman in power.
After being sent to Harrenhal to check on Daemon, Rhaenyra’s sworn knight revealed that they needed a “king” to lead them. This wasn’t a question of Rhaenyra’s claim, it was a remark coming from his own misogyny, something he thought Daemon wanted to hear. Sure, Criston has beenveryeasy to dislike in season 2. I’ve even looked upif and when Criston gets killed off inHouse of the Dragon. But he at least has somewhat of a backbone and willingly puts his life on the line for those he’s sworn to.Alfred Broome doesn’t have any redeeming qualities, and his character will likely only get worse.
House of the Dragonseason 4 has been confirmed to be the prequel show’s final installment.
Alfred Broome’s Next House Of The Dragon Betrayal Is Even Worse Than His Daemon Proposal
Alfred Broome Will Only Get Worse In HOTD
Rhaenyra traveled to Harrenhal after Simon Strong eavesdropped on Alfred Broome’s admission. Unfortunately for Alfred, Daemon bent the knee to his wife and likely won’t forget the act of betrayal. You might be hoping the risky proposal to Daemonsets up Alfred Broome’s doomed fate inHouse of the Dragon, but that’s not the case. At least not yet. Looking back atFire & Blood, I found it not surprising at all thatAlfred fully joins the Greens after betraying Rhaenyra and her side yet again. After Rhaenyra takes back King’s Landing, Alfred is easily persuaded by Aegon to participate in a coup at Dragonstone in Rhaenyra’s absence.
Rhaenyra eventually returns to Dragonstone during the Dance of the Dragons, but it leads to Alfred’s forces capturing and killing her Queensguard. To make matters worse, Alfred is present whenAegon orders Rhaenyra’s death with an execution by Sunfyre. As a senior member of Rhaenyra’s council and a sworn knight, Alfred essentially has a hand in killing his queen, something he said he would never do. Based on what’s happened inHouse of the Dragonthus far, even with Criston’s frustrating actions, I can’t imagine there will be anyone worse than Alfred Broome if the show follows his book arc.
