House of the Dragon Episode 5, “We Light the Way”, ironically brought a great deal of darkness to the marriage of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and Ser Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate). What was meant to be a lavish welcome dinner at the start of a week of tournaments, balls, and celebrations turned into a nightmare for House Targaryens? First off, tonight, Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) has decided to declare herself an active player on Game of Thrones by showing up late in her family’s

war color, green. Then Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) got angry with the Knight of Kisses, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod), and beat the man to death for no apparent reason.

Eventually, King Viserys (Paddy Considine) himself collapsed during Rhaenyra and Laenor’s hasty private wedding. Is Viserys dead? Did the house of Dragons just kill the king? Why did Ser Criston kill Laenor’s friend? (Yeah, if not, don’t get it, Rhaenyra’s new husband Laenor is definitely gay.) And what about Ser Criston and Alicent in the godswood at the end of House of the Dragon Episode 5? Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening on HBO’s House of the Dragon.

Did King Viserys Die?

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Well, it’s certainly been a rough week for dear old King Viserys I. After vomiting on the way to Driftmark and passing out in the courtyard, his health only deteriorated at the welcoming ceremony of Rhaenyra’s marriage to Laenor. During the ensuing chaos, as Ser Criston begins beating Ser Joffrey to death, the camera cuts to Viserys fighting on the high table. The king appears to be bleeding from his nose over his plate. Worse, Viserys ruins Rhaenyra’s somber wedding ceremony and collapsed to the ground once again.

Everyone understandably freaks out when the rats feast on a pool of Ser Joffrey’s blood. So, did Viserys die at the end of House of the Dragon Episode 5? Spoiler alert: Viserys isn’t dead. still dead! However, you are obviously doing it very poorly. His lacerations from the Iron Throne have spread all over his back, he’s lost fingers and now suffers from an additional illness.

Perhaps the most shocking thing about Visery’s health is that when the show jumps ten years into the future next week, he will still be alive. Yes, there’s a big jump in House of the Dragon Episode 6. The roles will be filled by older actresses Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke. Rhaenyra and Alicent, and by Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, respectively. And somehow (perhaps thanks to Maester Orwyle’s envelopes?) Paddy Considine’s Viserys will still sound.

Why Did Ser Criston Cole Kill Laenor Velaryon’s Boyfriend At Rhaenrya’s Wedding?

The most shocking moment in Episode 5 of House of the Dragon is without a doubt when Ser Criston Cole beats Ser Joffrey Lonmouth to death in front of everyone in court. What makes the Royal Guard lose their temper and literally murder a guy? Well… maybe because he can’t hit someone he’s really mad at… Rhaenyra. We learned last week that Rhaenyra lost her virginity to Ser Criston Cole. Symbol of his virtue – before he succumbs to his desire.

This week, however, Ser Criston expresses his feelings for Rhaenyra. He suggests they go to Essos together. They can marry and explore the world without being restricted by their duties to the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra disagrees with this. Idea. You explain that she is the crown and that her duty is more important to her than any kind of love match. She also clearly wants the trappings of power that come with being queen. Ser Criston’s tone doesn’t appeal to Rhaenyra. broke Ser Criston’s heart. Then she does something worse.

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Rhaenyra explains that she and Laenor have agreed to an open marriage so that she and Ser Criston can keep fucking if they want. Ser Criston is upset about this. He explains that all he has to his name in life is his appointment to the Kingsguard. and the only way he could morally redeem his own name would be to marry Rhaenyra. He also realizes that Rhaenyra doesn’t love him the way he loves her. You want to use it for fun and nothing else.

To learn more about how this devastates Ser Criston, we only have to watch the scene where he reveals to Alicent that he slept with Rhaenyra. Of course, Alicent tries to find out if something happened between Rhaenyra and Daemon. Ser Criston literally asks Alicent to be merciful by killing him instead of castrating him. (For context: There was a member of the Kingsguard named Ser Lucamore Strong, yes related to that Strong, during the reign of Jaehaerys who was discovered in and continues with three different women. He was castrated and sent to the Wall as punishment. Ser Criston expects to be punished like this.

So basically, Ser Criston would rather be literally dead. But what sets it off is the fact that Ser Joffrey Lonmouth discovers his secret and throws it in his face. this open marriage situation. In fact, he mocks Ser Criston, stressing that their collective secrets could end up killing everyone involved. Although we don’t know exactly what was said or done that led to the altercation between Ser Criston and Ser Joffrey, Laenor is initially involved.

Ser Criston’s anger forces him to physically destroy this person who represents his greatest shame in mirror form. It should be noted that while Ser Criston Cole kills Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, the kissing knight, in George R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, he waits until after the wedding. Ser Criston loses control in a melee tournament and kills Ser Joffrey. House of the Dragon has clearly decided to change the schedule to give us another gory Game of Thrones wedding.

What Is Going On With Alicent And Ser Criston In The Godswood?

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The final moments of House of the Dragon Episode 5 alternate with Rhaenyra and Laenor’s somber wedding ceremony as Ser Criston Cole takes the steps to commit suicide in Godswood. and prepares to end his life. However, Alicent stops him at the last second as he arrives, still on Hightower Green, saying nothing but his name. While we’ll never know what was said next, it’s clear that Ser Criston Cole is switching sides.

His allegiance is no longer to Rhaenyra, the princess who appointed him to the Kingsguard just to sully that honor, but to Alicent, the queen, who showed mercy by keeping his secret and saving his life. A mystery in Fire & Blood is how and why Ser Criston switched sides, and now we understand why. In the coming weeks, expect to see Ser Criston as Alicent’s sworn protector and a key member of the so-called Team Green.

Read More: House of the Dragon Episode 6 Release Date and Spoilers