Alicent Hightower and Criston Cole’s relationship has become the twisted “will they/won’t they” in House of the Dragon season 2 that just keeps getting worse. In House of the Dragon’s ensemble character cast, Criston Cole has arguably become the show’s most hated character, with a lifetime of pettiness and hypocrisy stemming from his and Rhaenyra’s season 1 fling. Cole continues to rise through the ranks, even becoming Hand of the King in season 2, episode 2, despite being the opposite of everything a Westerosi knight is intended to embody.
One of the biggest House of the Dragon season 2 book changes is that the show has developed a sexual relationship between Cole and Alicent Hightower. This narrative may seem gratuitous, but it serves as an important continuation of the psychological examinations of their characters and their relationships with Rhaenyra. Many of the differences between House of the Dragon and the Fire & Blood source material book regard the interpersonal relationships between characters, which provides vital context to the actions and motivations causing and perpetuating the Dance of the Dragons.
Why Alicent & Criston Cole’s Relationship Continues At The End Of House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 2
Alicent & Criston Cole Use Each Other As Outlets For Their Volatile Emotions
The end of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, shows Alicent turning her back to her weeping son to return to her chambers and have sex with Ser Criston Cole. Before doing so, she slaps Cole and pushes him multiple times. It seemed like the pair had reached rock bottom at the end of episode 1 when Helaena walked in on them during the Blood & Cheese incident. Throughout most of episode 2, Alicent and Cole keep things Red Keep professional, with Cole waiting outside as she bathes, hinting that they’ve halted their relationship.
Alicent clearly has anger toward Cole for appealing to Aegon’s violent side and indirectly having Otto removed
However, the episode’s ending has implications for both characters, especially after Cole’s dramatic decisions and promotion to Hand of the King. Alicent clearly has anger toward Cole for appealing to Aegon’s violent side and indirectly having Otto removed, and she takes it out on him with violence. But they’re also both incredibly emotional and don’t have proper outlets for it, so they use each other. While it seems like Alicent and Cole have some genuine affection for one another, much of their relationship comes from their own needs and insecurities.
House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 2 Makes Alicent & Cole’s Relationship Even More Toxic
Alicent Ignores Her Crying Son To Go Be With Criston Cole
Criston Cole was already House of the Dragon’s most hated character, so anything he’s involved with is bound to be seen as toxic. Now, with Alicent turning away from her crying child to be with him, there’s an element of cruelty on her end. There’s a violent dynamic to their relationship that comes from their unfiltered emotions, and House of the Dragon indicates that matters aren’t going to get better between them.