**Major spoilers for House Of The Dragon season three episode six below**
House Of The Dragon has killed off another major character in season three, with viewers lauding praise on a longstanding villain’s demise.
The opening of episode six, titled ‘Faceless Men’, sees Ser Criston Cole’s army ambushed by Tully soldiers pretending to play dead. The character then requests a duel, but Cole ends up being shot dead by Alysanne Blackwood via a series of arrows to his body and head.
Fans have shared their delight at the death of Cole, who has been a long-hated character since the show’s first season.
“Just started the episode and #HIS death was perfect,” one wrote on X, another writing: “Criston Cole is officially dead… I’ve been praying [for] this day since season one.”
“Killing Criston Cole in the first 10 minutes oh Game Of Thrones, House Of The Dragon universe the series that you are,” a third said, a fourth exclaiming: “CRISTON COLE IS NO MORE.”
Not everyone was a fan of the way Cole was killed off, however, a viewer sharing: “Cole dying at the beginning of the episode felt a little rushed….very anticlimactic.”
“House Of The Dragon stinks… You kill Sir Criston Cole like that??? How uneventful..,” another echoed.
One viewer further praised star Fabien Frankel for his performance across the series, saying: “People hated Criston Cole with a passion, but that just shows how incredible Fabien Frankel’s performance was. One of the best castings in House Of The Dragon.”
Just started the episode and #HIS death was perfect. #houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/ifyQYC6T6K
— Mello 🆘 (@Mellosctrl) July 27, 2026
criston cole is officially dead… I’ve been praying this day since season 1 #houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/xrQj8Xt8yn
— m (@dempseyftm) July 27, 2026
Killing Criston Cole in the first ten minutes 😂😭 oh Game of thrones, House of the dragon universe the series that you are😍#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/NQFgJCGGGF
— RealityPale (@RealityPale) July 27, 2026
CRISTON COLE IS NO MORE #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/dE5sMB9kED
— Manuel (@MSA40NEE) July 27, 2026
Cole dying at the beginning of the episode felt a little rushed….very anticlimactic #houseofdragons
— Mo Better Blues 🥶 (@PayrollNEQ) July 27, 2026
House of the Dragon stinks… You kill Sir Criston Cole like that??? How uneventful.. @RobbieBarstool
— Anthony J. Olasz (@AjOlasz22) July 27, 2026
People hated criston cole with a passion, but that just shows how incredible fabien frankel’s performance was. One of the best castings in house of the dragon #hotd #Houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/VHppv5kOcn
— b🦇 (@bikaxash) July 27, 2026
The show previously depicted a number of character deaths in the season premiere, before fans saw the demise of longstanding character Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), one dubbing it “FUCKING POETIC”.
House Of The Dragon also delivered a big twist in its third season three episode, which was a more character-driven instalment amid this season’s action.
Meanwhile, the season premiere saw the show’s viewership down, with 21.5million viewers across HBO and HBO Max across three days compared to 23.4million viewers.
Earlier this year, House Of The Dragon was renewed for a fourth season, which will act as the show’s final run.
