The problem of Emilia Clarke is as follows: Emilia Clarke is stunningly beautiful. She also happens to play a badass character who takes no sh*t from anyone; a sterling example of female empowerment if ever there was one. And it's a combination of those two factors that have resulted in audiences excusing the fact that... well, she's not a very good actress. She's not absolutely tragic, mind - just a bit flat, passive, emotionless. There is a distinct lack of "acting" going on whenever the show swings by to check in on her. Barring a few instances, her line readings are pretty much always exactly the same. But because Daenerys is such a wonderful and interesting character on paper, it's possible to look past Clarke's failings and trick yourself into thinking that it's the who is making you feel like that. It's not the case; Clarke is absolutely gorgeous, and there's no denying that she is a lovely person in real life, but her portrait lacks fire, passion and gusto - it's stilted and boring.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
