What’s With Dany?

Published April 23, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hey guys,

God, I just loved this episode. They really wanted to remind us of the love we have for our favorite characters and have us reminisce before they rip our hearts out during the Battle of Winterfell next week.

In past episodes, I’ve heard Gene comment on how he doesn’t care much for Dany, and this is an opinion I’ve only heard echoed on rare occasion from other GoT fans. However, I really feel as though the show runners are trying their best to lead show watchers to dislike the Queen of Dragons. I’ve always respected Dany for her ambition and her moral compass. Sure, she made decisions that weren’t very merciful at times, but she made these decisions based on an internal moral compass that I could follow. Yes, it was tyrannical to murder the Tarley’s, but she gave them a chance to bend the knee and they refused and she couldn’t risk refusal among the remaining army. Sure, nailing the slave masters to the mile markers in Meereen was cruel, but these were horrible people who murdered children and bought/sold slaves. I may not have made the same decisions, but I could see why she made these decisions. (And I would argue same for Jon, who has made plenty of stupid decisions, including executing little Ollie).

But this season, Dany seems to be taking a turn for the worse. She just seems so much more emotional than I’ve ever seen her in the past. She’s laughing and joking most of 801, then nearly crying after finding out Cersei lied to her about the army in 802. She seems irritated and obsessive with just about everything and everyone throughout this second episode (observe her simple hand motion when interrupted at the end of her conversation with Sansa-that’s some great acting right there, with how she conveys such emotion with a simple gesture). Why is she so emotional all of a sudden? She’s always been a rather stoic character up to this point. Is it because she’s in love and love changes people? Is it because she is slowly turning mad because she is a product of incest? Is she becoming desperate and anxious now that she is so close yet so far away from her goal of the iron throne? Is she pregnant?? (Oh come on, I can’t be the only one who thinks Dany’s belly seems a bit swollen throughout the season). It could be a combination of these things, but overall, I am just not so satisfied with this new emotional Dany. Also, as a side note, why did Dany not mention the fact that Jaime charged at her at the Loot Train battle?? Even a simple, “you killed my dad and then tried to kill me,” comment would have been appreciated.

In the scene between Dany and Sansa, I felt like there was a moment of genuine connection in reference to Jon. They both love him, they both have his best interest at heart, but in the same breath, Dany says she is only in the north because she loves him. But what happens if she no longer loves him? Will the north be the first kingdom she conquers in her quest to the Iron Throne if they manage to survive the Battle of Winterfell. And by the way, Lady Stark still doesn’t have my vote as the “smartest woman” in Westerns. I truly think this is a rather undeserving title for her, since she’s only ever really been shown learning the hard way throughout the series. At any rate, if she’s so smart, why did she decide to “awaken the dragon” and get super catty with Dany at the end of that scene? Surely, you would think you’d be smart enough as the Lady of Winterfell to realize that the Queen is a great ally, and discussing the future while facing imminent death is entirely counterproductive.

Moving away from the bad to the good, one of my favorite lines of the episode comes from Tyrion when him and Jaime are standing on the wall, right before Jaime notices Brienne. Tyrion says how he is glad Cersei will not get the satisfaction of killing him at least and then proceeds to say, “Maybe after I’m dead, I’ll march down to King’s Landing and rip her apart.” Valonqar reference here guys? Honestly, how awesome would that be to see? Tyrion’s undead self strangling the shit of Cersei would be so satisfying to so many. Also, am I the only one who doesn’t buy Tyrion’s story about his sister lying to him? He says to Jaime a little earlier during this scene how Cersei swore the pregnancy changed her and she wanted a second chance, but based on the last few lines of the conversation that we witnessed between Cersei and Tyrion in King’s Landing, I highly, HIGHLY doubt that is actually how the conversation went. And the “was she lying about the baby too?” question seemed more like he was fishing to find out if Jaime realizes that Cersei is actually lying about being pregnant as a way to manipulate him. I could be wrong, just a thought.

Speaking of Tyrion, anyone else wondering what he and Bran discussed after the war counsel? I loved how they had Tyrion address the fact that Bran is disabled with his “do you need any help?” comment, and I wonder what information Bran might have shared with Tyrion. Did Tyrion ask him to reveal some secrets or histories of the seven kingdoms in light of Bran’s quickly approaching death? Whatever was said, it can be gathered the conversation probably didn’t last too long as our favorite imp was seen drinking with his brother shortly thereafter, but still, I wonder why they may have included this scene unless perhaps something of importance happened off screen.

Moreover, I think we all made note of how “safe” the crypts are and how they are going to be of some significance in the upcoming battle. Can I be the first to say that I will be entirely PISSED OFF if the dead in the crypts rise and slay the poor women and children because of the character’s stupidity. I mean, I get Jon isn’t the brightest crayon in the box, but surely SOMEONE could have seen the dead fucking elephant in the room. It’s too obvious, it’s staring us in the face, and I don’t like it for a second.

And here’s a random plot twist that came to me this week: What if the Night King and the White Walkers are journeying south to save little baby Sam, their lost brother?? Probably not, but it is quite interesting that he is the only one of Craster’s sons who is not currently a white walker.

At any rate, I am sure to be a sobbing, snotty mess during next week’s episode thanks to the reminiscing and love for the characters that 802 invoked. Great episode.

Thanks guys, and have a great week awaiting the Battle of Winterfell!

Best,
Courtney K. from PA

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