With each new episode of HBO's House of the Dragon season 3, the show keeps introducing newer and newer players in the already overcrowded Targaryen civil war. The season alone saw the advent of Ormund Hightower, Daeron Targaryen, Ser Luthor Largent, Ser Torrhen Manderly, and the list goes on. But the inclusion of Alysanne Blackwood and her appearance in the most recent episode has caused a wave in the fandom.

This might be due to the fact that her name appears to be tied to the k****** of Ser Criston Cole, one of the most controversial figures of the show. This fact alone has exacerbated the intrigue around her tenfold.

Known as Black Aly in the show's universe, Alysanne Blackwood, a Riverlands archer, has swiftly emerged as one of the most talked-about newcomers to HBO’s House of the Dragon season 3, and her part in Ser Criston Cole's demise has left viewers curious about her true identity. Alysanne Blackwood (played by Annie Shapero) was introduced to the season with little fuss. The character, who can be distinguished by the black eyeliner applied around her eyes, was first seen early in episode 2 amid Daemon's men celebrating a victory against the Lannisters at the Battle by the Lakeshore.

House of the Dragon did not initially identify Black Aly, the daughter of Lord Blackwood of the Riverlands, on screen; instead, it allowed astute viewers to spot her among Daemon's army, contrary to her bigger role in the book Fire & B****. Later, in the episode fans have since dubbed the Butcher's Ball, she was formally introduced and given greater screen time.

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Earlier in the show, she was just distinguished by appearance; now she will be celebrated for k****** Ser Criston Cole.

In episode 6 of House of the Dragon season 3, Alysanne “Black Aly” Blackwood delivers a rather unceremonious farewell to Ser Criston Cole,  which is quite close to what happens in George R. R. Martin’s book. When Cole and his men arrived at an abandoned military camp filled with dead rivermen, everything felt normal. But things went haywire the minute the dead came back to life, only to ambush Cole and his men.

At the end, Cole was surrounded by enemies led by Oscar Tully and Ser Roderick Dustin, but the final blow came from a distance in the form of an arrow that went straight into his torso. Then two more, and Ser Criston Cole’s chapter was over from the show forever. The arrows were later confirmed to have been shot by Black Aly. 

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What do you think the future holds for Black Aly in the show? Share your thoughts.