Game of Thrones writers explain Daenerys Targaryen's motives after episode five
There are SPOILERS ahead!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 14th May 2019 Last updated 15th May 2019
Game of Thrones fans were left utterly gobsmacked after watching episode five of the final season, which aired on Monday 13th May. Daenerys Targaryen appeared to completely abandon her show-long prerogative to free innocent people from tyranny and evil and wreak... Well, evil tyranny all over King's Landing.
After destroying the Lannister defenses with Drogon, her dragon, her opposition rang the bell to signal surrender, and Jon Snow and his men breathed a sigh of relief as they assumed Dany would uphold her honour and leave off the Lannisters.
But they weren't to know that Dany would take her close friend Missandei's dying words of advice very literally, and burned the city to the ground - including almost all the innocent civilians in the capital.
Fans of the show weren't to know either, and many were left completely stunned by the events of the penultimate episode of GOT, taking to Twitter to express their confusion over Dany's complete change of heart.
But show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have now spoken out about the Mad Queen's motivations, and revealed in a behind-the-scenes clip that it's down to her feeling completely alone and let down by everyone she's ever trusted.
Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked then vs. now...
Game of Thrones writers explain Daenerys Targaryen's motives after episode five
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Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 8
Grey Worm initially couldn't speak any other language, both has slowly been learning with the help of his now-lover, Missandei and is completely devoted to working for Daenerys.
Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked then vs. now...
Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 1
Kit Harington plays the broody Jon Snow - illegitimate son of Ned Stark... Or so we thought. Kit was 25-years-old when he took on the role of Jon Snow, and despite being from London, was able to do a pretty passable Northern accent.
Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 8
Now, Kit is 32-years-old and married to former co-star Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte - his character's former love. Did anyone else's heart actually break when she died? No? Just us? Sob.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 1
Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Jaime Lannister was a bit of an arrogant weirdo in the first season - not only was he having an affair with his actual twin sister, but he was just an all-round not nice guy.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 8
Fast forward to season 8, and fans are seriously conflicted over Jaime. On the one hand, he's still in a relationship with his twin sister. On the other hand, he seems to be a much better person than he was in season 1... Other than that, he's aged like a fine, fine wine.
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 1
The aforementioned sister of Jaime is an absolute nutcase. In season 1, it seemed as though Cersei was just fiercely determined to stay on the throne and make her father Tywin proud.
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 8
However, by the time we got to the penultimate season, Cersei has gone a little more mad than before. Probably on account of being locked in a tower for months on end and tortured, before being forced to walk naked through the streets. She looks so normal in real life!
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 1
Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen began life on the show as a meek young girl at her elder brother's beck and call, when Emilia was 25-years-old.
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 8
However, after much hardship and a lot of learning - as well as a couple of dragons under her belt - Daenerys is now basically taking on the world as she battles for the Iron Throne.
Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 1
Sophie Turner was just 15-years-old when she began starring in Game of Thrones. Her character, Sansa, was quite simply an annoying little girl to begin with, and her obsession with Joffrey was hard to watch.
Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 8
Now 23 - and engaged to none other than Joe Jonas - Sophie has blossomed into a fantastic actress with a lead role in upcoming X-Men films. As Sansa has also been through a pretty rough time, viewers have warmed more to her than before, and she's also a frontrunner in the race for the crown.
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 1
Sophie's younger on-screen sister Maisie has possibly undergone the biggest transformation - but that's not hard when she started life on the set at the age of just 13!
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 8
Maisie is now a hugely accomplished actress, and the growth of her character is a testament to how much her skills have come on during her time on the show. Plus, we are loving the pink hair!
Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 1
Singer Lily Allen's brother Alfie has starred as Theon Greyjoy throughout the series. Theon started out as a disillusioned member of the Stark family, having been raised by them after a battle with own family saw him accepted as the Stark's ward.
Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 8
Although he was an arrogant character, he certainly didn't deserve all the torture that befell him thanks to the twisted Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 1
Isaac was just 12-years-old when he took on the role of Bran Stark, and whose actions acted as a catalyst for the whole upheaval, really. If he hadn't have been climbing up the tower, he wouldn't have seen Cersei and Jaime together - they wouldn't have pushed him and basically, everything wouldn't have kicked off.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 8
Now, he's 19, and Bran has become the Three-Eyed Raven, shedding his former identity and taking on the role of the all-seeing, all-knowing being. There are even whispers that he might secretly be the Night King somehow, but that remains to be seen.
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 1
Tyrion started life on the show as a near-alcoholic philanderer with a penchant for visiting brothels. When he was accused of killing his nephew, Joffrey Baratheon, he fled Westeros and was captured by Ser Jorah Mormont.
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 8
Then, he was taken to Daenerys Targaryen and vowed to assist her on her quest to reclaim the throne, as her father had been the last true king.
John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 1
Samwell Tarly is probably one of the nicest characters on the show, having been taken under the wing of Jon Snow when both boys joined the Night's Watch together.
John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 8
Since then, he's fallen in love with Gilly, become adoptive father to her baby and even killed a White Walker - something unheard of in their time.
Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 2
Melisandre joined the show in Season 2, played by Dutch actress Carice van Houten. The character started on the show utterly convinced that Stannis Baratheon was meant to be king, but after he was killed she became a bit lost.
Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 8
She's now joined the side of Daenerys Targaryen, and is helping her in her fight to return her family's name to the throne.
Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 1
Former Skins actor Joe plays Gendry the blacksmith in Game of Thrones, the secret son of King Robert Baratheon, who was unfortunately killed in the first season.
Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 8
Gendry has been avoiding capture since then, especially with the help of Ser Davos Seaworth, and has now joined Team Targaryen.
Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 2
Joe's fellow Skins co-star Hannah Murray is also part of the cast, playing Gilly, daughter and wife of the horrible Craster, who thankfully gets killed. She escapes with her son/brother, and befriends Samwell Tarly.
Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 8
Romantic feelings have, of course, developed between Samwell and Gilly, and now they're quite in love and are co-parenting her baby/brother together.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 2
Gwendoline Christie's character Brienne of Tarth is an absolute icon. Not only does she refuse to be held to anyone else's standards, but she also kicks some serious butt.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 8
Since her first appearance in Season 2, Brienne has now sworn fealty to Sansa Stark, fallen in love with Jaime Lannister and is also fighting off the advances of wildling Tormund Giantsbane.
Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 3
Former Hollyoaks actress Nathalie Emmanuel has been playing the character of Missandei since 2013. Missandei was originally a slave who acted as a translator for her previous owner, Kraznys, before Daenerys freed her and she chose to serve her instead.
Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 8
Missandei is now Daenerys' most trusted advisor, friend and also a lover of Grey Worm.
Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 3
Jacob Anderson plays Grey Worm, captain of the Unsullied army in Game of Thrones, but he also makes music under the name Raleigh Ritchie.
Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 8
Grey Worm initially couldn't speak any other language, both has slowly been learning with the help of his now-lover, Missandei and is completely devoted to working for Daenerys.
Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked then vs. now...
Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 1
Kit Harington plays the broody Jon Snow - illegitimate son of Ned Stark... Or so we thought. Kit was 25-years-old when he took on the role of Jon Snow, and despite being from London, was able to do a pretty passable Northern accent.
Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 8
Now, Kit is 32-years-old and married to former co-star Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte - his character's former love. Did anyone else's heart actually break when she died? No? Just us? Sob.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 1
Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Jaime Lannister was a bit of an arrogant weirdo in the first season - not only was he having an affair with his actual twin sister, but he was just an all-round not nice guy.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 8
Fast forward to season 8, and fans are seriously conflicted over Jaime. On the one hand, he's still in a relationship with his twin sister. On the other hand, he seems to be a much better person than he was in season 1... Other than that, he's aged like a fine, fine wine.
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 1
The aforementioned sister of Jaime is an absolute nutcase. In season 1, it seemed as though Cersei was just fiercely determined to stay on the throne and make her father Tywin proud.
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 8
However, by the time we got to the penultimate season, Cersei has gone a little more mad than before. Probably on account of being locked in a tower for months on end and tortured, before being forced to walk naked through the streets. She looks so normal in real life!
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 1
Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen began life on the show as a meek young girl at her elder brother's beck and call, when Emilia was 25-years-old.
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 8
However, after much hardship and a lot of learning - as well as a couple of dragons under her belt - Daenerys is now basically taking on the world as she battles for the Iron Throne.
Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 1
Sophie Turner was just 15-years-old when she began starring in Game of Thrones. Her character, Sansa, was quite simply an annoying little girl to begin with, and her obsession with Joffrey was hard to watch.
Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 8
Now 23 - and engaged to none other than Joe Jonas - Sophie has blossomed into a fantastic actress with a lead role in upcoming X-Men films. As Sansa has also been through a pretty rough time, viewers have warmed more to her than before, and she's also a frontrunner in the race for the crown.
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 1
Sophie's younger on-screen sister Maisie has possibly undergone the biggest transformation - but that's not hard when she started life on the set at the age of just 13!
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 8
Maisie is now a hugely accomplished actress, and the growth of her character is a testament to how much her skills have come on during her time on the show. Plus, we are loving the pink hair!
Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 1
Singer Lily Allen's brother Alfie has starred as Theon Greyjoy throughout the series. Theon started out as a disillusioned member of the Stark family, having been raised by them after a battle with own family saw him accepted as the Stark's ward.
Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 8
Although he was an arrogant character, he certainly didn't deserve all the torture that befell him thanks to the twisted Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 1
Isaac was just 12-years-old when he took on the role of Bran Stark, and whose actions acted as a catalyst for the whole upheaval, really. If he hadn't have been climbing up the tower, he wouldn't have seen Cersei and Jaime together - they wouldn't have pushed him and basically, everything wouldn't have kicked off.
Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 8
Now, he's 19, and Bran has become the Three-Eyed Raven, shedding his former identity and taking on the role of the all-seeing, all-knowing being. There are even whispers that he might secretly be the Night King somehow, but that remains to be seen.
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 1
Tyrion started life on the show as a near-alcoholic philanderer with a penchant for visiting brothels. When he was accused of killing his nephew, Joffrey Baratheon, he fled Westeros and was captured by Ser Jorah Mormont.
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 8
Then, he was taken to Daenerys Targaryen and vowed to assist her on her quest to reclaim the throne, as her father had been the last true king.
John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 1
Samwell Tarly is probably one of the nicest characters on the show, having been taken under the wing of Jon Snow when both boys joined the Night's Watch together.
John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 8
Since then, he's fallen in love with Gilly, become adoptive father to her baby and even killed a White Walker - something unheard of in their time.
Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 2
Melisandre joined the show in Season 2, played by Dutch actress Carice van Houten. The character started on the show utterly convinced that Stannis Baratheon was meant to be king, but after he was killed she became a bit lost.
Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 8
She's now joined the side of Daenerys Targaryen, and is helping her in her fight to return her family's name to the throne.
Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 1
Former Skins actor Joe plays Gendry the blacksmith in Game of Thrones, the secret son of King Robert Baratheon, who was unfortunately killed in the first season.
Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 8
Gendry has been avoiding capture since then, especially with the help of Ser Davos Seaworth, and has now joined Team Targaryen.
Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 2
Joe's fellow Skins co-star Hannah Murray is also part of the cast, playing Gilly, daughter and wife of the horrible Craster, who thankfully gets killed. She escapes with her son/brother, and befriends Samwell Tarly.
Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 8
Romantic feelings have, of course, developed between Samwell and Gilly, and now they're quite in love and are co-parenting her baby/brother together.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 2
Gwendoline Christie's character Brienne of Tarth is an absolute icon. Not only does she refuse to be held to anyone else's standards, but she also kicks some serious butt.
Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 8
Since her first appearance in Season 2, Brienne has now sworn fealty to Sansa Stark, fallen in love with Jaime Lannister and is also fighting off the advances of wildling Tormund Giantsbane.
Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 3
Former Hollyoaks actress Nathalie Emmanuel has been playing the character of Missandei since 2013. Missandei was originally a slave who acted as a translator for her previous owner, Kraznys, before Daenerys freed her and she chose to serve her instead.
Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 8
Missandei is now Daenerys' most trusted advisor, friend and also a lover of Grey Worm.
Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 3
Jacob Anderson plays Grey Worm, captain of the Unsullied army in Game of Thrones, but he also makes music under the name Raleigh Ritchie.
Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 8
Grey Worm initially couldn't speak any other language, both has slowly been learning with the help of his now-lover, Missandei and is completely devoted to working for Daenerys.
Benioff said, "Dany is an incredibly strong person. She's also someone who has had really close friendships and close advisors for her entire run of the show. You look at those people who have been closest to her for such a long time, and almost all of them have either turned on her or died, and she's very much alone.
"And that's a dangerous thing for someone who's got so much power, to feel that isolated. So, at the very time when she needs guidance and those kind of close friendships and advice the most, everyone's gone."
He added that Dany's relationship with Jon had also been part of her mental instability, saying, "Jon Snow is someone that she's fallen in love with, and as far as she's concerned by this point Jon has betrayed her by telling people about his true identity, and also the fact that he's unable to return her affections at this point.
"I think that when she says, ‘Let it be fear' she's resigning herself to the fact that she may have to get things done in a way that isn't pleasant, and she may have to get things done in a way that is horrible to lots of people. She chose violence. A Targaryen choosing violence is a pretty terrifying thing."
He also confirmed that Missandei's death had been hugely impactful on the young queen, saying, "If circumstances had been different, I don't think this side of Dany ever would've come out. If Cersei hadn't betrayed her, if Cersei hadn't executed Missandei, if Jon hadn't told her the truth.
"Like, if all of these things had happened in any different way, then I don't think we'd be seeing this side of Daenerys Targaryen."
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