Faceless Men

Lore & Background

In this pivotal episode, the war for the Iron Throne intensifies with distinct turning points across Westeros. In the Riverlands, Criston Cole's forces fall to a Tully ambush where soldiers posed as corpses; Cole dies after challenging commanders Oscar and Roderick to a duel, only to be shot by Alysanne Blackwood. Meanwhile, at Harrenhal, Aemond is persuaded by Alysanne to abandon his search for Vhagar in favor of a new dynasty, sparked by the discovery of Dreamfyre's secret eggs. In King's Landing, Rhaenyra leverages Alicent Hightower's pregnancy and her daughter Helaena's prophetic dream about Aemond to force an assassination mission upon her. Elsewhere, Gwayne Hightower arrives in Tumbleton to save Ormund and Daeron from assassins sent by Rhaenyra, while Hugh the Sheaf attempts a failed reunion with his wife Kat.

In Their Own Story

The episode opens in the Riverlands where Criston Cole's men are ambushed by Tully soldiers hiding among corpses. After defeating them, they are surrounded by Oscar and Roderick's army; Cole challenges the commanders to a duel but is unceremoniously shot dead by Alysanne Blackwood. At Harrenhal, Aemond desires to find Vhagar, yet Alys convinces him to stay using Dreamfyre's eggs, suggesting they start a new dynasty before sharing a kiss. In King's Landing, Rhaenyra orders Alicent to travel to Harrenhal and kill Aemond in exchange for Helaena's safety. Daemon Targaryen, disguised as a City Watchman, kills a Hightower assassin but fails to gain intel before publicly humiliating Ulf on the street. In Tumbleton, Gwayne kills Rhaenyra's assassins just as Ormund mocks him; Daeron begs Gwayne not to leave again. Hugh reunites with Kat, who rejects him for abandoning his family.

Reader's Guide

Critics received 'Faceless Men' with a mixed-to-positive response, praising the Riverlands opening sequence and the machinations of Ormund Hightower. Performances by Matt Smith, Freddie Fox, Emma D'Arcy, Kieran Bew, Ellora Torchia, and Fabien Frankel were highlighted as standout elements. However, some reviewers felt the episode was inferior to earlier season three entries and questioned specific plot decisions. Regarding Criston Cole's death, actor Fabien Frankel noted he knew his character would die before production began, describing the final act of asking if his men could be spared as a 'poetically written' moment of honor for a polarizing figure. Frankel also emphasized that Cole holding Alicent's handkerchief symbolized the person who once saved him from suicide.

Did You Know?

• Fabien Frankel knew Criston Cole would die from the start because he read Fire & Blood before auditioning.
• The Riverlands battle sequence was filmed in Barossa nature reserve in Surrey and described by director Loni Peristere as 'a bit of a horror movie'.
• Criston Cole's final stand was filmed in one continuous run across seven takes to ensure his exhaustion appeared palpable on-screen.
• Alysanne Blackwood is credited with shooting Criston Cole dead during the ambush in the Riverlands.
• Gwayne Hightower kills assassins sent by Rhaenyra, saving both Ormund and Daeron's lives upon his arrival in Tumbleton.