The final season of Game of Thrones left us with one of the most inappropriate character changes, but it was no surprise to viewers.
Daenerys Targaryen’s rise to evil makes her a fascinating villain in ‘Game of Thrones’, with her motivations and character arc well defined from the start. Daenerys has always had the potential to be both good and evil, and her actions throughout the series make her fall into madness. The series suffers from a lack of compelling motivations for the villains beyond lust and greed, making the morally ambiguous anti-heroes more interesting. Daenerys’ character brings depth and complexity.
Many of the villains in the series either lack compelling motivations or lack character development, especially when compared to the series’ heroes and heroines. Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) turn into a villain in the final season is fueled by the betrayal of her mentors, her sex and death of her dragons, and the death of her friend and mentor Missandei (Natalie Emmanuel). Series.
At the height of her rage in the final episodes of the series, Daenerys is by far the scariest. Every detail was visual, from her frozen speech after destroying King’s Landing to the silhouette of Drogon’s wings behind her. Daenerys’ bad behavior wasn’t rushed or out of character.
Daenerys, a true Targaryen at best and worst.
Daenerys embodies the best and the worst of the Targaryen family: a fiery conqueror with a dragon-like lust for entitlement and power. In Season 8, Varys (Conlet Hill) tells Jon (Kit Harington), “Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin and the world holds its breath. Jon Snow will never be a “crazy” Targaryen, but Daenerys has always been unpredictable and vengeful since Season 1.
From the beginning, Daenerys Targaryen is a character with untapped potential. Despite the character’s history of violence, David Benioff and DB Weiss manage to build a villain to root for, perfectly embodying the Targaryen motto of “fire and blood.”
‘Game of Thrones’ and the problem with villains
Many of the villains in ‘Game of Thrones’ are villains with little on-screen motivation. Compared to Daenerys, there is no understanding of what motivates Cersei Lannister (Lemon Headey) to be cruel. This is what makes a ‘Game of Thrones’ antagonist’s complex, morally ambiguous anti-heroes fascinating. Daenerys’s actions after the King’s Landing bell is delivered are a wake-up call. The signs were always there, but like many Dragon Queen followers, we love to see the warning signs that were always there.
Other characters known for their evolution in ‘Game of Thrones’
Arya Stark: From youthful idealism to ruthless assassin, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) has traveled a remarkable path of transformation. Her training with the Faceless Men and her desire to get revenge on those who hurt her family make her a deep and complex character. Her ability to adapt and survive in difficult situations is a testament to her evolution as a warrior and strategist.
Tyrion Lannister: One of the most cunning and charming characters of the series, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) has shown that he is more than just a “runt” of the Lannister family. Despite being scorned and despised by his family, Tyrion uses his wits and cunning to survive in a cruel world. His skill at diplomacy and his evolution into power and respect consistently highlight his growth.
Jon Snow: Despite being considered a bastard, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) stands as a born leader. His late night journey to be named King of the North shows his potential for leadership and honor. John shows strong moral integrity and compassion, even in the most difficult situations, making him a true hero of the series.