House Of The Dragon Episode Five Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs

This entry may sound slightly self-contradictory as this article later goes on to effusively praise the interesting diversion of Ser Criston Cole's storyline from the manner in which it plays out in Fire and Blood. However, hear this out.

It's about his speech.

Ser Criston, doe eyed and completely enamored with Rhaenyra following their encounter in the previous episode, passionately tries to sway the Princess from her life of political prison; asking her to give up her titles and crown and run away with him. It's a sequence that should hit all the right dramatic notes; where can you go wrong with forbidden romance set out against a fantasy backdrop?

Everywhere, apparently. This writer is unsure as to what happened with Fabien Frankel's performance here; Criston's impassioned, boyishly naive speech comes off as painfully wooden and awkward, which is not helped by some laughably bad writing. Viewers are meant to be heartbroken for the noble Knight of the Kingsguard watching this scene, but instead almost have to stifle a snigger as Criston tearfully exclaims "so you want me to be your whore?"; it's hard to tell which is worse in that moment, the line or the manner in which Frankel delivers it.

Thankfully, this moment is a minor blip in what is otherwise a perfect episode and despite this writer's lambasting of Frankel's performance here, the young British actor has otherwise been first rate as Ser Criston in the first five episodes. Maybe just stick to him bashing Daemon with a morning star and leave the passionate romantic speeches to others.