Daenerys Targaryen’s death was a shock to many, butGame of Throneslaid out the clues for how it would happen in the opening episodes. The HBO fantasy epic was adapted fromGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firenovels, and while the TV show famously surpassed the author in progressing through the story, many of the main story beats were orchestrated from the ground up. Some details were shared with the showrunners by George R.R. Martin, and others were original to the series but were still planned from the start.
TheGame of Thronesendingwas wildly controversial, and while there are extensively valid critiques for how the television series handled the final seasons, many of the conclusive choices might turn out similarly in the novels. For example, Bran Stark becoming king at the end of the series wasn’t received well, butit was George R.R. Martin’s idea. The choice to make Daenerys Targaryen succumb to madness andher ultimate death by Jon Snow’s hand was another that was met with emotional responses, but it seems to have been a long time coming.
Robert Baratheon & Jaime Lannister Foreshadowed Daenerys' Death
These Two Game Of Thrones Quotes Build Up Jon Snow Stabbing Dany
There are two quotes inGame of Thronesseason 1 that now, in retrospect, seem like obvious foreshadowing. In episode 2, Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark share a chat along the kingsroad where they discuss Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen. Ned claims that they’re just children, butRobert declares that he wishes Daenerys killed by “a sharp knife and a bold man to wield it.“At the time, he was hoping to execute the plan with assassins, and neither could have predicted that this “bold man” would be Jon Snow.
Jon later stabbed Daenerys, the Mad Queen, in the belly, betraying her in a manner that wasn’t too dissimilar to what Jaime did.
In episode 3, Eddard Stark arrives in King’s Landing to begin his tenure as Robert’s hand, only to meet Jaime Lannister in the Iron Throne room. They share an exchange regarding the death of King Aerys II Targaryen, whereJaime asks if it would have been more honorable to stab the Mad King in the belly rather than the back. Jon later stabbed Daenerys, the Mad Queen, in the belly, betraying her in a manner that wasn’t too dissimilar to what Jaime did.
The Winds Of Winter Theory Solves A 25-Year-Old Mystery & The Next Game Of Thrones Spinoff Could Help Set It Up
One theory about The Winds of Winter can be set up by a new Game of Thrones spinoff, finally providing an answer to a long-standing mystery.
Was There A Plan To Kill Daenerys As Early As Game Of Thrones Season 1?
The Daenerys Death Plan Was Conceptualized Around Season 3
WithoutThe Winds of WinterandA Dream of Spring,it’s still unclear whether George R.R. Martin plans to pursue a similar ending for Daenerys. According to the behind-the-scenes interviews of season 8, episode 6, “The Iron Throne,” the plan to have Jon kill Daenerys was something the showrunners had developed since around season 3. There’s nothing concrete, however, to say that this plan forGame of Throneswill happen in the books.
