Fabien Frankel has provided certain insights into Criston Cole’s internal state in House of the Dragon Season 3. According to the actor speaking to Variety, Criston is dealing with his complicated feelings by suppressing them entirely and throwing himself into duty and war.

Quick read:

  • Criston Cole is acting out of repressed emotions
  • His main focus remains Alicent and serving her
  • His emotions are getting reflected on his team

Frankel explained:

“Haven’t men always done that in history? Just march on, and go to work, ‘I’m not going to deal with anything that I’m really feeling, I’m just going to go on and get on and do something, and that thing is going to supersede whatever I’m feeling!’”

This classic masculine approach to emotion defines Criston’s mindset this season. Instead of confronting his past relationships and regrets, he channels everything into winning the war.

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Credits: HBO

Alicent remains on his mind

While both Rhaenyra and Alicent linger in Criston’s thoughts, Frankel revealed that Alicent occupies far more space:

“But it’s inevitable that Rhaenyra and Alicent are both on his mind all the time. I think Alicent much more than Rhaenyra. Certainly for me, Rhaenyra has become a sort of afterthought. And actually, it’s just the idea of winning the war for Alicent.”

This confession adds a deeply personal and tragic layer to Criston. His loyalty to Alicent has evolved into something that drives his every action on the battlefield. The war is no longer just about duty or the Greens’ claim; it has become a way for Criston to prove himself to the woman he still cares for.

rhaenyra-criston

Credit: HBO

A tragic character study

Criston’s arc this season highlights the cost of repression. By refusing to process his emotions, he risks becoming more ruthless, single-minded, and annoying for his men. His focus on victory for Alicent makes him a dangerous and unpredictable commander, but it also shows the emotional isolation he has imposed on himself.

Criston is not simply a hypocritical knight or a broken man; he is someone desperately trying to find purpose through duty while haunted by his past.

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