House of the dragon's most controversial knight gets anticlimactic ending

In a shocking move, Ser Criston Cole, the most reviled character in House of the Dragon, met his demise in the most unglamorous and unceremonious fashion possible.

Cole's death marks a swift end to a friction-filled arc

Less than ten minutes into episode 6, Cole was felled by a deadly bow-and-arrow hat-trick courtesy of Alysanne Blackwood, despite his desperate pleas for a 'glorious death in battle'.

According to Fabien Frankel, who brought Cole to life, the character found a grim sense of relief in his quick exit, acknowledging that his time was over.

For fans, the abrupt, low-key sendoff was a fitting end for a man they loved to hate. Many took to Reddit to share their reactions, with some calling it 'extra salt in the wound' from a narrative perspective, while others found irony in Cole's dramatic speeches about losing to dragons, only to die at the hands of foot soldiers.

Some lamented the omission of a specific line from the book adaptation, where a Riverlands knight declares he'll have no songs written about Cole's bravery. However, the implication was clear, given Cole's earlier desire for a heroic death.

Ultimately, Cole's swift exit marks a welcome end to a contentious character arc, with fans divided between those who say 'good riddance' and those who acknowledge Frankel's compelling portrayal.