Daenerys Targaryen was one of the most popular and controversial characters in HBO's Game Of Thrones. The Mother of Dragons rose to power throughout the series and amassed a vast army of followers to fight in her conquest of Westeros. However, a snap decision in Season 8 saw the Targaryen fall from grace as she destroyed King's Landing with dragonfire.
There are several elements of Daenerys' story that could be considered problematic. With Game Of Thrones off-air for nearly a year, it's time to reflect on the elements of Dany's arc that haven't aged particularly well.
Dany's Age In The First Book
Many fan-favorite characters from Game Of Thrones are children in the first installment of the A Song Of Ice And Fire book series. Daenerys is 13 years old when she is forcibly married to Khal Drogo by her brother, Viserys, and turns 14 whilst she is pregnant with Rhaego.
Dany's age is increased to 17 in the HBO show's first season. This detracts from her character's initial naivete and, although a slight improvement, still portrays problematic elements regarding minors and forced marriage.
Daenerys & Drogo's Marriage
One of the most problematic portions of Daenerys' story arc is her marriage to Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo. A terrified Dany is forcibly wed to the Khal and endures sexual assault throughout her marriage.
Dany's relationship with Drogo changes as the Targaryen princess seemingly falls in love with him. Her shift in feelings is regarded as Stockholm Syndrome by many fans due to the forced nature of their "romance."
Speech At The Gates Of Qarth
Daenerys wanders through the Red Waste in Season 2 with her khalasar before discovering the city of Qarth. Outside the city's gates, Dany delivers an ominous warning to the Thirteen, promising to bring fiery destruction upon them when her dragons are grown.
She speaks out of desperation to save her people, but her words later come to fruition as she later makes an uncharacteristic decision to destroy King's Landing with fire in Season 8.
Heroic Quest In Slaver's Bay
Daenerys Targaryen was a predominately heroic character until the final season of Game Of Thrones. The Breaker of Chains fought against slavery in Essos and overthrew the slaving cities of Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen.
The Mother of Dragons displayed a Targaryen ruthlessness in earlier seasons, but nothing that predicted that she would burn innocent people in Season 8 instead of pursuing her real enemy, Cersei Lannister. Dany's heroic scenes from Season 3 are hard to watch knowing the divisive endgame for her character.
White Savior Storyline
Daenerys' arc in Slaver's Bay throughout the earlier seasons of Game Of Thrones has been accused by many fans of portraying a "white savior" storyline. The final scene of Season 3, featuring Dany being held aloft by the slaves of Yunkai, drew criticism for its depiction of racial dynamics.
The term "white savor" translates to a white character who helps people of color for underlying self-serving purposes. Dany's story could fall under this category as the Targaryen queen frees slaves while also amassing a vast army.
Incestuous Relationship With Jon Snow
Jon and Daenerys are, admittedly, unaware of their shared heritage when they fall in love in Season 7. The Mother of Dragons discovers that Jon is her nephew in Season 8, and their romance subsequently crumbles.
Many fans were put off by the incestuous relationship between Daenerys and Jon. Incest was a common practice in the Targaryen family, and although Jon was disturbed by their blood relation, Daenerys grew up believing she would marry Viserys and had no qualms about a romance with her nephew.
Going Insane After Jon's Rejection
Daenerys' arc in Season 8 has been accused of having sexist themes. A controversial scene in "The Bells" features a grieving Dany electing to rule as a feared queen, displaying chilling signs of insanity after Jon rejects her advances.
This trope devolves Dany's character as a rejection from Jon was seemingly enough to tip her into madness and destroy King's Landing. This is another problematic element of the Targaryen queen's story and is unlikely to age well with future audiences.
The Mad Queen
One of the most contentious storylines in the final season of Game Of Thrones is the downfall of Daenerys Targaryen, from beloved monarch to mad queen. Despite forcing the city to surrender, Daenerys succumbs to Targaryen madness and destroys King's Landing with dragonfire.
Many fans rejected this out-of-character decision and condemned the series for sexist themes that detracted from Cersei's arc. The Lannister monarch had already proven herself a mad queen when she blew up the Sept of Baelor with wildfire; this should have been her story.
Children Are Destined To Become Their Parents
Another unsettling theme in the story of Daenerys Targaryen is the resolution that children are doomed to become like their parents. Although the Mother of Dragons vows to be better than her father, ultimately all her efforts are for naught as she becomes another mad Targaryen.
Dany knew what her father was and was determined to be nothing like him. Despite her campaign against slavery and fight against the White Walkers, the Breaker of Chains followed in the footsteps of the father she never knew.
Murdered By Her Lover
Daenerys met a tragic end in the series finale of Game Of Thrones. After burning King's Landing and conquering Westeros, the Targaryen queen is killed in a loving embrace by Jon Snow in front of the Iron Throne.
Jon is encouraged to kill Daenerys by Tyrion following the fiery destruction of King's Landing. Although Daenerys offers to rule beside him, Jon decides that the Seven Kingdom will be safer without her and stabs his unsuspecting lover in the heart.