Game Of Thrones: How Daenerys Became The Mad Queen (And Why The Hate Is Wrong)

3. She Was Never Supposed To Sit On The Throne

Tyrion Dany
HBO

This sort of ties in with the idea of destiny in Game Of Thrones. Dany was never going to sit on the Iron Throne because she wants it too much. Coveting anything in Thrones is a dangerous thing and only the most humble of characters seem to be prospering at all (unless their name is Bronn, but he's been through so much that we can probably just allow him to have his castle without too many complaints).

Theon sought the recognition of his father by taking Winterfell, Euron sought recognition as the king, Cersei fought feverishly to cling on to power, Ramsay wanted the same for his family, Viserys was blinded by his lust for power too... Pretty much every character who actively wanted a seat of power (including the Baratheon brothers), ended up doomed.

So why did anyone think that Dany's desire to sit on the Throne would lead to her sitting on the Throne. If the Lord Of The Rings taught us anything - and it should have, because this entire world was inspired by Tolkien's - the desire for power above all things corrupts. And as Game Of Thrones has already explored this season, perhaps the best person for the Throne IS someone who doesn't want it. The hints have been there for a long time.

[Simon]

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WhatCulture's former COO, veteran writer and editor.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.