New Look at Fabien Frankel’s Criston Cole and Freddie Fox’s Gwayne Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Episode 4

‘House of the Dragon‘ has consistently portrayed the harsh realities faced by its characters, and season three has been particularly ruthless for the men entangled in the Targaryen civil war.

Amid intense naval battles and shifting loyalties, the series has used its early episodes to dismantle any romantic notions of honor or glory. The evolving dynamic between two of the Greens’ most conflicted knights encapsulates this theme beautifully.

Since the season premiere, Ser Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower have been on a journey toward Harrenhal, anticipating the arrival of Aemond and his dragon Vhagar to assist them in capturing the deteriorating castle from Team Black.

The contrasting temperaments of the two men are striking; Cole is sinking deeper into despair, while Gwayne clings to a rigid code of honor that increasingly feels out of place in the chaos surrounding them. This tension has emerged as one of the season’s most intriguing storylines.

Recently released images provide a first glimpse of Frankel and Fox as their characters finally arrive at Harrenhal in the upcoming fourth episode, set to premiere this Sunday, July 12, on HBO and HBO Max. The photos depict both men in full armor amidst their marching troops, suggesting that their arduous journey is nearing its conclusion as the narrative reaches one of the season’s most eagerly awaited locations.

Fox has openly discussed the challenge of portraying Gwayne’s internal struggle while serving under a commander whose motivations he no longer comprehends. “It’s very difficult; they have such opposing views on how to see this war out, and when you’re second in command to someone who has, in some sense, got a death wish, you’ve got this load on your back, and you don’t know how to shift out from under it,” Fox shared with Mashable. He noted that Gwayne’s traditional chivalric training makes the brutal realities of war particularly disorienting for him.

Frankel has described this segment of the season as particularly isolating for Criston, who feels detached from the political machinations occurring elsewhere in the narrative. He mentioned that the character is left to grapple with his own nihilism, burdened by the aftermath of the devastating battle at Rook’s Rest. This prolonged sense of desolation has transformed Cole into a markedly different figure from the one audiences were introduced to in the early episodes.

In addition to the emotional challenges, the actors have discussed the physical demands of their roles, especially regarding their armor. Frankel humorously recalled how cumbersome the costume was during the early days of production, noting it could take up to twenty-five minutes to put on and take off, causing significant delays. He mentioned that the costume department eventually made parts of it removable, although Fox admitted he still often tries to persuade the crew to let him remove a few pieces whenever possible.

As Criston and Gwayne finally reach Harrenhal, the episode’s trailer hints at an encounter with Alys Rivers, the enigmatic, centuries-old figure connected to Aemond, who finds herself in a precarious situation after being stabbed in a previous episode. The nature of their meeting remains uncertain, but it promises to be a pivotal moment in the episode, especially given the unresolved issues at the castle. Fans are eagerly speculating about Aemond’s condition upon their arrival.

Showrunner Ryan Condal has previously indicated that Criston will receive more backstory this season, allowing viewers to gain insight into the man behind his increasingly ruthless choices. With his storyline set to intersect with Harrenhal’s simmering mysteries in the upcoming episode, this next chapter could be a significant turning point in Cole’s complex journey through the war.

What are you most eager to see when Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower finally arrive at Harrenhal? Share your thoughts in the comments.