Who Is Alysanne Blackwood? Criston Cole’s Executioner & House Of The Dragon Changes Explained

Warning! Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6, ahead!House of the Dragon has finally killed off Criston Cole, and the role of executioner delightfully fell to Alysanne Blackwood—AKA, Black Aly. This moment has been a long time coming, since Ser Criston is easily one of the most despicable characters of this Game of Thrones spinoff series. It was he who crowned Aegon the Usurper as king, and, in House of the Dragon‘s version of the tale, it was all because Rhaenyra Targaryen spurned him in love. Over the last few seasons, we’ve witnessed Cole’s misogyny firsthand, and it only made his death all the more satisfying.

Just as in Martin’s Fire & Blood, Criston Cole died during the Butcher’s Ball. He and his remaining Green army walked right into an ambush and were heavily outnumbered by the river knights and Roddy the Ruin’s Winter Wolves, so Cole attempted to challenge single combat instead. It didn’t work out too well for him, however. Just as he prepared to fight in a blaze of glory, arrows found his chest, and, most satisfying of all, his face.

House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6, reveals that the arrows that finally took out Criston Cole were shot by Alysanne Blackwood, a canon character picked right out of A Song of Ice and Fire canon. Black Aly is one of the few female warriors of the franchise, and is a badass often likened to Arya Stark or Yara Greyjoy. She was known to be an excellent archer, hunter, and rider, and she played a significant role in the Dance of the Dragons from beginning to end. Still, according to Fire & Blood, she wasn’t necessarily the one to kill Criston Cole.

How Alysanne Blackwood’s Involvement In Criston Cole’s Death Is Changed From The Books

House of the Dragon has brought a truly excellent version of Black Aly to the screen, and actor Annie Shapero looks exactly the part. Still, if we are going strictly by canon, she shouldn’t have been the one to kill Criston Cole in season 3, episode 6. In Fire & Blood, it’s noted that Cole was taken out by archers, and though their identities were never confirmed, it’s widely believed that Red Robb Rivers delivered the final, deadly shot. This character is a bastard of House Blackwood, so a relative of Black Aly, and is considered the best archer of all of Westeros.

Red Robb Rivers has been notably absent in House of the Dragon, so it seems the HBO series has combined his character with that of Black Aly. This isn’t completely out of left field, since the TV adaptation skipped over Alysanne’s more notable moments with a bow that should have happened already. For example, during the Battle of the Burning Mill, Black Aly is meant to avenge her brother Samwell’s death by shooting his killer (Ser Amos Bracken) right through the narrow slit of his helmet.

While it’s a bit of a shame that we will now seemingly never see Red Robb on screen, it’s a bit more satisfying that Black Aly was the one to take out Criston Cole. This villain is a classic “nice guy” who blamed a woman for his own choice to break his vows. It’s only fitting that someone who turned to violence and cruelty just because he was rejected would meet his end at the hands of a woman.

House Of The Dragon Cut Another Key Detail From Black Aly’s Story

Black Aly’s role in Criston Cole’s death makes up for the missed trick shot against Ser Amos Bracken, but there’s still another element of her story that hasn’t made it to the screen. According to accounts recorded in Fire & Blood, Black Aly had a close relationship with Lady Sabitha Frey, another badass female warrior of Westeros. As their company travels to Tumbleton for the upcoming battle, Black Ally and Sabitha, who was reportedly “fond of killing men and kissing women,” are meant to share a tent. Though considered a rumor, there’s no reason to question that there was a romance here.

While Black Aly’s journey to Tumbleton hasn’t happened yet in House of the Dragon season 3, we can already confirm that her relationship with Sabitha Frey won’t be included in this version of the story. This is because Sabitha has already been introduced and is absolutely nothing like her canon character. In House of the Dragon, Sabitha is played by actor Sarah Woodward, and as of episode 6, she is currently serving on Rhaenyra’s council in King’s Landing. That’s right, the older woman who gave the queen a tongue-lashing was supposed to be Black Aly’s lover.

It’s unclear why House of the Dragon would make this change. It could just be that there really isn’t enough time to focus on any of Black Aly’s romantic relationships, and the narrative might call for more conflict back at King’s Landing. An older woman offering Rhaenyra counsel, despite their disagreements, might have come across better than a much younger female warrior. Still, it’s a real shame that we won’t get this element of Black Aly’s adventures.

What’s Next For Black Aly In House Of The Dragon?

Black Aly’s romance with Sabitha Frey is beyond unlikely at this point, but there’s still a good chance that we will get to see another of this character’s key relationships in House of the Dragon. It may not happen until season 4, but, according to Fire & Blood, Alysanne Blackwood ends up married to none other than Cregan Stark.

Once the Dance of the Dragons finally winds down, it’s Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III Targaryen, who ends up on the Iron Throne. This happened because figures like Corlys Velaryon conspired to murder King Aegon II (Aegon the Older) through poison. Though Cregan was allied with the Blacks, he found this kingslaying to be dishonorable and sought to have Corlys executed. Black Aly stepped in to save the day, however. Cregan was fond of her, so when she offered her hand in marriage if he would only spare Corlys and relent on punishing the conspirators, he accepted.

Cregan Stark appeared in House of the Dragon season 2, but we haven’t yet seen him meet his future bride. It is, once again, possible that the show will skip all this over. However, given the importance of House Stark in the extended Game of Thrones franchise, as well as Black Aly’s new role as Criston Cole’s executioner, it feels like the sort of fateful union that would be brought to the screen. Only time will tell.

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Network

HBO

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

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  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole