Who Is Alysanne Blackwood In 'House Of The Dragon'? Black Aly, Explained
For all those Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) haters out there, of which there are many, House of the Dragon (2022) Season 3, Episode 6, was a big bittersweet episode. Criston Cole died, but somehow, it still felt utterly tragic. Perhaps it's because of that big speech he gave Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) about wishing for a life of freedom instead of a life of service, or maybe it's because the warrior's death he craved never happened. Instead, a couple of swift arrow shots resulted in a death with little fanfare or glory.
Those sudden, Boromir-reminiscent shots came from Alysanne Blackwood (Annie Shapero). With eyes blackened by war paint and hair in a tight braid, many of us didn't recognize her, although she has appeared briefly in House of the Dragon before. Here's what you need to know about Lady Alysanne Blackwood and what role she plays in the HBO series and George R. R. Martin's source material, Fire & Ice.
Alysanne Blackwood Is A Skilled Archer
House Blackwood is one of Westeros' ancient houses. Smackdab in the Riverlands, they hold fealty to House Tully. Much of their story in House of the Dragon Seasons 1 and 2 involved their land dispute with House Bracken. While the Blackwoods' loyalty to Rhaenyra (Milly Alock/Emma D'Arcy) stems from historical ties, Willem Blackwood (Alfie Todd/Jack Parry-Jones) pledges his loyalty to Rhaenyra (Milly Alock/Emma D'Arcy) because of their childhood entanglement. (Remember he asked for her hand in marriage in Season 1.)
The other factor? The Brackens support Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), which only adds fuel to the fire. Thus, Season 2 delivers the Battle at the Burning Mill. Here, Samwell Blackwood (Jonny Weldon) dies, allowing Alysanne Blackwood—his sister—to enter House of the Dragon Season 3.
Again, Alysanne's role in HOTD has been rather background so far. She survives the Battle at the Red Fork, then looks on as the Winter Wolves gleefully present Jason Lannister's head to Daemon (Matt Smith). Her real shining moment comes in House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6, when she snipes Criston Cole, robbing him of his duel with Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) and Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan).
'HOTD' Combines Alysanne Blackwood With Another Character
When it comes to "Black Aly," House of the Dragon has covered the basics. In Martin's Fire & Blood, she is also the sister of Samwell Blackwood, who also dies in the Battle at the Burning Mill. This prompts Aly to join his son and her nephew, Benjicot "Bloody Ben" Blackwood, as a form of vengeance.
She does that by shooting Amos Bracken, the man responsible for Samwell's death, with an arrow right through the eye. This, of course, somewhat harkens to Cole's death in HOTD. Funny enough, Aly doesn't kill Cole in the book, although she is present during his death and gave the command. As for the archer, that honor went to Red Robb Rivers, a bastard Blackwell who just so happened to be one of the best archers in Westeros. While Aly was a skilled archer herself, her level didn't match Red Robb Rivers.
Red Robb Rivers hasn't appeared in House of the Dragon. Instead, the show combined his role with Aly's, likely to save on time and limit the number of characters onscreen in an already stacked cast. That said, given Aly's status as a frontline leader for the Riverlands, it's likely not the last time we will see her in the show. After the war, she also marries Cregan Stark, making her the future Lady of Winterfell. So, she's an important part of Westeros' history to be sure.
