The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 6, "The Princess and the Queen," which debuted Sunday, Sept. 25 on HBO.
House of the Dragon has been about consequences, with the Targaryens realizing that both political and personal repercussions affect not only their name but the Iron Throne. King Viserys rushed to marry Rhaenyra Targaryen off to Leanor Velaryon, Otto Hightower was fired for being a snitch and Daemon Targaryen was banished for his rash ways. Karma catches up with everyone in Westeros at some point.
Season 1, Episode 6, "The Princess and the Queen" made another example out of Ser Criston Cole. As much as fans felt for him when Rhaenyra chose the crown over him, the HBO series' new time jump positioned him as an antagonist instead of a friend. He had become angry and petty during the years that had passed -- but he got some of what was clearly coming for him.
How Ser Criston Cole Became a Villain
The drama was first hinted at when Criston spoke to Queen Alicent Hightower about his tryst with Rhaenyra. Alicent had stopped him from killing himself because he lost his honor, so he had become her loyal servant. He hated Rhaenyra for seemingly using him, which motivated Criston to sully her name and suggest she was tainting the crown. He insulted her both personally and professionally.
Then Criston argued with Ser Harwin Strong, the knight who was mentoring Rhaenyra's children. A rivalry had developed between Alicent's sons and Rhaenrya's kids, and Criston poked fun at Harwin after the boys battled. While Criston's charges were more impressive, he didn't just gloat about their superior skills; he taunted Harwin about a rumor that he was the father of Rhaenyra's three sons (a rumor that the episode later confirmed was true). When Criston muttered this bit of treason, Harwin lost his temper.
Ser Criston's Karma Caught Up With Him
Harwin knew the rumor could ruin him, endanger Rhaenyra and her children and bring disrepute to the Red Keep. He overpowered Criston and assaulted him. But the attack was reminiscent of what Criston did to Laenor's paramour Joffrey in Season 1, Episode 5, "We Light The Way." In Criston's case, he murdered Joffrey, but essentially the roles were now reversed. However, Harwin's violent reaction also worked to his advantage.
Criston getting beaten up was his comeuppance, but it served a purpose both on and off-screen. It was both his punishment for killing Joffrey and a way to reinforce the rumor by getting Harwin to respond so strongly in public. Harwin's father, the new Hand of the King, even tried to resign over the incident. The scene also reminded House of the Dragon fans that he doesn't seem to care about honor anymore. His only quest is getting Alicent to replace Rhaenrya as heir to the Iron Throne.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and stream on HBO Max.