Dragon House Season 2, Episode 3 reveals that a key character has gotten a makeover. Yes, the HBO hit shows us that after becoming the Hand of the King, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) has chopped off his long locks and adopted the short haircut of a Roman soldier. Not only that, but his armor has received an imposing “upgrade.” No longer content with wearing the standard Kingsguard armor, Ser Criston’s Hand armor not only looks larger and more imposing, but it also comes fashioned with a golden garland of interlocking hands around the neck. It’s a bold new look for a new dark era for one of the main characters. House of the DragonOne of the most polarizing characters… and one that tells audiences a lot about what’s going on inside Ser Criston Cole’s psyche.
**Spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3, now streaming on HBO**
The first time we see Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3, he eagerly prepares to enter the Small Council chamber for the first time as Hand. He still has his white cloak and Kingsguard armor and his signature sexy hairdo. (Sorry, Yo I think it’s sexy. At least sexier than the new ‘do.)
However, when we see Ser Criston Cole later in the episode, preparing to go into battle with Hightower’s forces, including his lover Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) brother, Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), the Hand has a new “lewk”. “It’s as if he’s polished off any sign of the courtly, chivalrous gentleman he played as Royal Guard and is in full Terminator mode.
So what inspired Ser Criston Cole’s haircut and new armor? According Dragon House Star Fabien Frankel said it was all about practicality.
“For me, the haircut was a very important thing because it’s a military thing,” Frankel said during a panel discussion Jugo Mobile attended last month. “Know? It is impractical to wear long hair in battle. It’s just like that. And short hair is practical.”
However, Frankel admitted that Cole is a character who definitely externalizes his feelings through his clothing.
When Jugo Mobile pointed out that she’s most vulnerable, emotionally and sexually, when she’s not wearing the white cape or that she literally equates her own worth with the color of the cape, Frankel said, “That’s a very interesting observation and actually very… Yeah, there’s a scene in Episode 8. I won’t say what it is, but…”
“For the love of God, don’t reveal Episode 8!” House of the Dragon co-star Matt Smith chimed in, causing everyone present to burst into hysterics.
“Meghan is like…” Frankel said, referring to Jugo Mobile.
“Meghan hasn’t seen it,” Smith said.
“Megs is wondering, ‘WHAT IS HE SAYING?’” Frankel said.
Matt Smith then threatened Frankel: “I’m going to throw that water bottle over your head!”
After more silly jokes about Cole leaving King’s Landing and what the new armor certainly didn’t represent, Frankel said, “Anyway, the haircuts! Good. The armor is different. He looks different.”
He looks different, and when it comes to Ser Criston Cole, looking different certainly means feeling different. And if his new look is all about military precision, you better believe we’re seeing Cole at his most practical, predatory, and powerful.