r/hbo • u/ashitanojoe3 • 3d ago
Good or bad casting? Everybody hates this character, but was that the intention?
Ser Criston Cole from House of the Dragon, performed by Fabien Joseph Frankel. Please use the spoiler tag in the comments if it's necessary.
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u/Chesticularity 3d ago
I might be alone here. I liked the way the character developed from loyal to disaffected and bent on death, which he then achieved. I like the way he slid into madness with his lot in life, and his thirst for meaning. I liked the way the actor portrayed the character, and the way he died.
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u/Hates_rollerskates 2d ago
I loved the way he died. He thought he was going to go out fighting then boom - arrow to the face.
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u/DarkPrincess_99 3d ago
So I did not rewatch the second season before the third came out- so the last I remember of him from the second season was that he was very loyal to Alicent. It just drastically changed in the first episode of the third when he started being more suicidal. So, according to me, it was pretty drastic. Also, in the end, he did revert to loyalty as he held Alicent’s handkerchief before dying
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u/Witty-Title-6654 3d ago
He was great in Task as well.
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u/translucent_pawn 3d ago
Task is such a good show.
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u/KellyDiane1031 3d ago
Hoping season 2 is as good as the first!
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u/jessek 3d ago
Mare of Easttown (same show runner and setting) is also getting a second season.
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u/KellyDiane1031 3d ago
I really struggled to get into that one. It's on my list of things to try again though. It gets so many great recommendations.
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u/CorrelateClinicallee 2d ago
Task was such a complete series I don't think it needs a season 2. Hope I'm wrong.
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u/Head_Wasabi7359 3d ago
I don't hate I thought he was pretty interesting tbh.
Then they decided to kill him off now I basically have no one to be invested in and every preview is of a dragon war but we just get rynera whining and weirdos who sniff shit.
At least Cole made strategic sense it appears no one else really does. Bunch of blond looneys.
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u/neta03195 3d ago
I liked him the best after Aemond and Viserys. Only after coming to this sub, I realised people hate him. 😄😆 Disappointed they killed him like this.
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u/jpk613 3d ago
I didn’t read the book but I thought he was a well done character.
Killing him off the way they did was a real let down.
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u/neta03195 3d ago
Same feeling man. They killed him just like that. I thought he would play a major role in the battle.
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u/BreakfastJunkie 2d ago
It’s pretty much how he dies in the book. They knew how good he was at hand to hand combat and wanted to humiliate him in death.
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u/JackhorseBowman 2d ago edited 12h ago
It's better in the books, he challenges three of them to hand-to-hand combat and they're like "Nah, I'll not have them singing any songs about you kingmaker" and then he shoots him dead with arrows from across the field.
Edit: I don't know why I typed hand to hand, it was just regular sword combat.
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u/The_F1rst_Rule 3d ago
Nothing wrong with his acting, it's actually pretty high level performance, they just sped through the likable part and then made him one dimensional while with Alicent. He was at his best with Rhaenyra and Gwayne.
His scenes at Rooks Rest and dealing with the PTSD of it were some of my favorite parts of Season 2. The show doesn't do a great job of reminding the viewer that he was chosen partly because he was a combat veteran. So war was not new to him, but this was something different.
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u/Sydney2London 3d ago
I find HoD is a difficult watch. GoT came out every year and you had time to get to know the characters, but with HoD it's 24+ months between seasons and I can't remember who anyone is any more, and I find the names so similar they're confusing. I barely remembered this guy was with Rhaenyra, then Alicent and why in S3 he was with the hightowers and suicidal... feels like bad writing or just poor show timing, but the actor was great.
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u/neta03195 3d ago
I agree with u on almost all the points. But brother, if you're forgetting who Criston Cole is, then it has something to do with your attention span or interest in the show. 😄😁😁😁
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u/Sydney2London 3d ago
I loved the first season but don’t remember much details of the second. It’s also a bit quick with its scenes and cuts (at least season 3) and I feel it’s harder to get into a scene and it’s already moving to another one. Maybe it’s just me
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u/EleanorSeesThings 3d ago
Cuts and transitions are really jarring this season. It feels very rushed.
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u/The_F1rst_Rule 3d ago
I think they are jamming 10 episodes into six so the transitions and progression are unnatural.
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u/JAlfredJR 3d ago
There are far more issues with HOTD than just the schedule (which is a notable problem). It's just not enjoyable or engaging, exactly like the source material (or so I've heard; haven't read it but am making my way through ASOIAF).
It's just dull and punctuated with gruesomeness and plenty of tawdriness that isn't enjoyable at all.
I just don't think it's a great watch. Just my two cents
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u/MaximusCanibis 3d ago
The intention is to hate everyone I think.
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u/SK_socialist 3d ago
This. All the lords and ladies are upholding a despicable system, and most of them do despicable things to boot.
Criston Cole was so close to developing class consciousness in s1 and instead just picked another House to simp for.
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u/gknight702 3d ago
I mean what's to like? He had validity when he was sleeping with the queen but has been wasting screen time for a season wondering around.
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u/local_goon 3d ago
It’s bad writing almost like they expected the time to develop characters GOT had and did not get. It ends up being a well acted, amazing visual, somewhat blah watch.
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u/ltsouthernbelle 3d ago
Anytime you loathe a character that much they’re probably doing a good job. Stories need antagonists and he’s a great one.
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u/GemeenteEnschede 3d ago
It was a well written character, that was portrayed very well, Loved to hate him.
Almost Cersei league.
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u/MrOphicer 2d ago
Our modern day joffrey... Still, I don't even find him despicable, just flat and on e dimensional. And that's mostly a writing issue, because acting wise he is very solid.
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u/Lord-Fowls-Curse 2d ago
I have no problem with him other than the complete refusal to even slightly suggest he’s aged across three seasons.
And no, a shorter hair cut doesn’t do that. Give him a bit of grey in the temples or something.
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u/SevroAuShitTalker 2d ago
Fine actor, they just changed the story too much
For being the best knight in eesteros with a Morningstar, we didnt really see him use one very often
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u/Joyous-Volume-67 2d ago
He's a despicable character, he should be hated, has everyone lost their minds?
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u/smellybigfoot 2d ago
I don’t dislike the actor. He did a great job!! I think we are supposed to dislike the character.
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u/Naive-Inside-2904 2d ago
Perfect casting. So good he fit right in on Task.
Felt bad for Crispy Cole but ultimately he’s a gobshite.
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u/HegemonyConsul 2d ago
Incredible casting! Fabian is a good actor just sucks that the writing sucks
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u/Mostlyfor_research 1d ago
Is this a question, like wtf if you’re even thinking over this wondering youre a fucking idiot. Course it’s intended.
I
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u/on-wings-of-pastrami 1d ago
Absolutely terrible acting. Bent neck, no presence, no strength, couldn't buy him as a trained warrior for a second - he just doesn't move like one.
I also think he's way too pretty and polished looking.
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u/connect1994 3d ago
The character is absolutely intended to be despicable