Episode Leak Discussion.

Alicent: Aemond still lives, as far as we know.

Helaena: He is at Harrenhall.

Alicent: No, he was there, but he has fled. He's vanished.

Helaena: I have seen him. He burns, but without fire.

Thoughts?

" The 7 Kingdoms become 9! become 12!

...become the NEW VALYRIA! " 🙌

I’m not saying you can’t dislike a character, but the level of vitriol and fervor people have towards him doesn’t make sense to me considering that he is no worse than other male character in the series and, in fact, in my respects is better than many of the other characters.

What confuses me is how Criston Cole, who’s transgressions are mostly being rude ass hypocrite is taken as more of an afront than male characters we’ve seen literally bash their wife’s skull in on screen lol. Like yes, he called Rhaenyra a cunt and slept with Alicent despite it going against his supposed morals but Daemon is beloved despite choking Rhaenyra last season and grooming her as a literal child. I find it odd that many of the fans claim they hate Criston because of his misogyny but once again, he has exhibited far less overt misogyny and violence against women than one of the favored male characters in the show?

It seems to me people don’t like Criston solely because he’s a man that’s hypocritical and rude, rather than actually being against misogynistic or “incel” behavior. I mean, I hate to beat the point over the head (pun intended) but whose more of a vengeful incel, the dude that called a girl a cunt or the man who chokes and kills women and molests little girls?…and I’m not saying people can’t like Daemon as a character—hell I love Aemond and Aegon despite hating their actions because I like their characterization and arcs—but don’t try to stand on some moral high ground when a lot of people who hate Criston don’t actually care, but are pressed because a handsome male character is crude and didn’t side with Rhaenyra.

Also, I can’t help but roll my eyes at how a large sector of the fandom refuses to engage with Criston’s character on a deeper level because they’re so determined to dislike him. Yes he’s flawed, but so are all the characters because the writers dropped the ball on many fronts, but I do find myself feeling for his position and what he says. I think a lot of people don’t care to realize it because he’s a man, but someone of lower class who is essentially used by the wealthy in every way (physically, sexually, emotionally) can definitely lead anyone to mentally deteriorate to the point of suicidal ideation as seen in the last episode.

Criston clearly holds onto being the greatest warrior and having a hero’s death because that’s all he has—his body—it’s the only thing people value from him (whether it be in war or in bed). I can’t help but feel that if Criston’s gender was flipped and he was a non-white coded woman who had to work herself to the top, all the while being fucked on by princes and kings yall would look at his character A LOT differently.

Once again, I’m not saying anyone has to like Criston or dislike other characters but the level of hate the character gets just seems like fandom collective brainrot and fan war tribalism than actual dissection of the character.

Free my girl from the shackles of these shoulder pad outfits and give her the regal bougie gowns that she deserves and wore in season 1 and 2.

Love these pictures of Emma tho Rhaenyra is eating here. Just eat more in luxury cloth please lol.

Like yeah I get it would be nice if they casted a plus size woman but no one ever says this about Tom Glynn Carey or phia Saban, just comes off as disingenuous tbh

No, no, no, no, no No!

Why is no one talking about this? 🙂