9 Most Important Deaths In Game Of Thrones
7. Aerys Targaryen: The Mad King
Monologues are dramatic devices that feel unnatural in a realistic take on a story. Pontification on inner motives and past woes are better suited to the stage. But when somebody has a story about the Mad King, everybody listens.
The tale of King Aerys sets up the motivation for Daenerys long term goal to invade Westeros and in part it could be argued that it justifies the brutal actions of the Lannisters at the end of the rebellion.
Jamie Lannister in particular. Jamies on screen actions have been quite indefensible but public opinion is muddied by his private accounts of the Mad Kings final days. This allowed him to gain sympathy after losing his daughter in one of the most bittersweet scenes in Thrones history. And you know, that whole hand thing.
Aerys was beloved but slowly went insane, a genetic trait of all Targaryens. He became a sadistic and paranoid ruler, hell-bent on burning his enemies and obsessed with becoming a dragon. Your basic management behavior.
His legacy echoes through the ages and his descent into madness looms over the Mother of Dragons. Aside from the stigma, did the mad king leave his granddaughter one last gift?