Criston Cole vs. Jaime Lannister: ‘House of the Dragon’ Showrunner Explains the Connection

Few characters in the ‘Game of Thrones‘ universe evoke as much disdain as Ser Criston Cole, yet the showrunner of ‘House of the Dragon‘ is urging fans to rethink their perceptions of him. Ryan Condal has drawn a direct comparison between Fabien Frankel’s character and one of the franchise’s most cherished redemption arcs, Jaime Lannister.

This comparison comes at a time when Criston Cole’s standing among viewers is at an all-time low, particularly after his involvement in escalating the conflict in Westeros. Condal’s comments imply that the series is intentionally crafting a more intricate and tumultuous journey for Cole, reminiscent of how audiences gradually came to accept the so-called Kingslayer throughout the original series.

In an interview with Collider, Condal articulated that Frankel’s portrayal was designed to challenge the initial judgments fans have made about Criston Cole, prompting them to reassess the character entirely. He commended the actor’s ability to steal scenes, suggesting that there is more emotional complexity to Cole than his villainous facade implies.

According to Collider, Condal emphasized that Cole exemplifies a classic George R.R. Martin character, one who appears straightforward at first but reveals unexpected similarities with characters the audience already trusts.

This framing echoes how Jaime Lannister’s own character arc unfolded throughout ‘Game of Thrones’.

The context surrounding these remarks is just as significant as the comments themselves. In the divisive season two finale, viewers witnessed Cole retrieve an embroidered handkerchief gifted to him by Alicent Hightower before leading soldiers into a futile war. This moment is a subtle yet poignant contrast amid acts of political devastation, mirroring the contradictions that defined Jaime for years.

The nicknames alone illustrate how differently these two characters are remembered. As one analysis of their rivalry noted, Criston Cole is the Kingmaker who betrayed the rightful heir and effectively crowned Aegon II, while Jaime Lannister is the Kingslayer who killed the very man he pledged to protect. Both titles carry the burden of betrayal, yet fans have historically shown greater leniency towards Jaime.

Some of that leniency can be attributed to the patience of storytelling. Jaime spent several seasons earning small moments of humanity, from his friendship with Brienne of Tarth to his own confessions of guilt, before the show fully redeemed him in the eyes of viewers. In contrast, Cole has had a much shorter period to demonstrate that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Fans online have also been vocal about taking sides in this debate. Discussions surrounding the two knights have evolved into a subculture, with clips and rankings comparing their combat skills, loyalty, and downfalls circulating widely on platforms like TikTok.

Beyond their emotional journeys, there is an ongoing debate about which knight is the superior fighter and strategist. One analysis on Comic Vine argued that while Criston Cole is an underrated force in single combat, Jaime, when using both hands, would likely have the upper hand in a direct duel. The same discussion noted that as a battlefield commander, Cole is generally regarded as the stronger tactician, often ignored by Aegon II and Aemond to their own detriment.

This assessment aligns with a broader critical perspective that has emerged since the airing of ‘House of the Dragon’ season two. According to Screen Rant, Jaime joined the Kingsguard at just fifteen years old but was never particularly strategic, making several costly tactical blunders throughout his time on ‘Game of Thrones’.

The outlet further highlighted that Jaime fell into Robb Stark’s trap and became a prisoner of the Starks, while also failing to protect or guide his own children.

Supporters of Ser Criston Cole argue that his battlefield instincts have been underrepresented by the show. Even a Quora discussion comparing him to legends like Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy acknowledged that Cole was physically skilled enough to defeat Daemon Targaryen and personally trained Aemond Targaryen in combat. That places him among esteemed company for a knight many viewers love to criticize.

If Condal’s comparison holds true, the latter half of ‘House of the Dragon’ may be paving the way for Criston Cole to gain at least a degree of sympathy, even if he never achieves full redemption. Jaime’s character arc was effective because the show allowed his cruelty and conscience to coexist for years before one side prevailed.

Cole already possesses the elements for that kind of complexity, from his forbidden romance with Alicent Hightower to his intricate mentorship of Aemond Targaryen. Whether the writers will afford him the same opportunity to explore these themes remains uncertain as future seasons unfold.

What is evident is that the creative team aims for viewers to engage critically with Cole rather than dismiss him outright. Drawing a comparison to a character as beloved as Jaime Lannister is a bold move, and it places the onus on the show to deliver the depth Condal is promising.

Do you believe Criston Cole deserves the same gradual redemption that ultimately won fans over to Jaime Lannister, or has he already crossed the line too far to earn that kind of grace?