Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister, the warring queens of Westeros, grew to be two of the most powerful characters in HBO's Game of Thrones. In season 1, Cersei holds a semblance of political influence as King Robert's consort. The death of the king triggers a slow path to the Iron Throne for Cersei, whilst the Targaryen queen across the sea amasses her own power to take back her family's throne.
The two queens were some of the series' fiercest characters. Despite falling from grace in the final season, Daenerys and Cersei starred in some of the show's most definitive moments, delivering several iconic demonstrations of power along the way.
Daenerys: Escaping The House Of The Undying
In season 2, the Mother of Dragons takes shelter from the Red Waste in the city of Qarth. Daenerys struggles to amass power at first, even with her dragons. The Thirteen reject her pleas for help, and Dany almost marries Xaro Xhoan Daxos to secure ships for her conquest of Westeros.
Thankfully, Dany draws on her power in time to save herself and the dragons from Pyat Pree. The captive Khaleesi commands Drogon and his brothers to burn the evil warlock, saving them from an eternity of imprisonment in the House of the Undying.
Cersei: "Power Is Power."
Like Daenerys, Cersei grows in power throughout the series and eventually becomes Queen Regnant after the deaths of King Robert and her children. One of her most formidable demonstrations of strength sees the Lannister queen deliver a chilling message to Littlefinger about the realities of power.
Baelish attempts to subtly intimidate the queen about her relationship with Jaime, cryptically remarking that "knowledge is power." Unimpressed, Cersei almost has her guards kill him, informing the Master of Coin that "power is power."
Daenerys: Leading The Unsullied Out Of Astapor
Season 3 sees Daenerys truly begin to consolidate power as she grows an army in Slaver's Bay. The Targaryen queen tricks Kraznys and frees the Unsullied soldiers in an epic, fiery scene. When the dust clears, the Unsullied swear loyalty to Dany and pledge themselves to her cause.
The closing scene of the episode provides a powerful look at Dany's new army. The young queen leads her soldiers from Astapor as her growing dragons swoop through the skies overhead.
Cersei: The Mountain Attacks The Sparrows
Even at her lowest, the Lannister queen refuses to go down without a fight. In season 6, the Sparrows enter the Red Keep and demand that Cersei return with them to the Great Sept. Cersei refuses, and sets the Mountain on her enemies in another formidable display of power.
The zombified Gregor Clegane brutally kills one of the Sparrows when they attempt to approach. A satisfied Cersei walks away with the Mountain and Qyburn, making it clear that she won't be returning to the Sept of Baelor any time soon.
Daenerys: Burning The Khals
Cersei isn't the only queen to land in peril in season 6. After fleeing Meereen on Drogon, Daenerys is captured by the Dothraki. Khal Moro forces her to return to Vaes Dothrak to take her place amongst the Dosh Khaleen as the widow of Khal Drogo.
Dany turns the situation to her advantage with another extraordinary show of power. The unburnt queen traps the Khals in the Temple of the Dosh Khaleen, before emerging unscathed from the fire to the rest of the Dothraki.
Cersei: Threatening Margaery Tyrell
Many of Cersei's most powerful moments featured the cunning queen exerting her strength in a subtle yet menacing way. During season 3, Cersei clashes with Margaery Tyrell. The future queen tries to endear herself to her mother-in-law. True to character, Cersei immediately shuts her down.
The Lannister queen regales Margaery with the story of House Castamere's defeat. Cersei departs with a chilling warning to her son's betrothed; "if you ever call me sister again I'll have you strangled in your sleep."
Daenerys: Sailing For Westeros
Daenerys returns to Meereen with the Dothraki in time to lift the second siege of the city. The might of the dragons and Dany's khalasar proves too much for the Great Masters. The victorious queen finally brings peace to Slaver's Bay when she defeats her enemies and captures their immense fleet of ships.
Season 6 concludes with another powerful moment for Daenerys. The Targaryen queen finally sets sail for Westeros at the head of a vast army with her allies and dragons, promising war for the newly crowned Queen Cersei.
Cersei: Blowing Up The Sept Of Baelor
Cersei also defeats her enemies with fire at the end of season 6. The season finale begins forebodingly as the Lannister queen prepares for her trial. The Sparrows and the Tyrells gather in the Great Sept of Baelor, but it soon becomes apparent that all isn't as it seems.
Cersei orchestrates the fiery destruction of her enemies by blowing up the sept with wildfire. In one fell swoop, she takes control of the city and avenges her Walk of Atonement, as well as clearing a path to the Iron Throne.
Daenerys: Ambushing The Lannister Army
The Targaryen queen makes good on her promise to bring fire and blood to her enemies during season 7's "The Spoils of War." Cersei and Jaime outsmart Daenerys by sacrificing Casterly Rock to sack Highgarden. Dany takes revenge by ambushing the Lannister army with Drogon and the Dothraki.
Drogon's emergence from the clouds remains one of the show's most impressive moments. Jaime's army soon succumbs to the strength of the khalasar and the Dragon Queen's fiery wrath.
Cersei: Ascending To The Iron Throne
Against the odds, Cersei outsmarts her enemies and forges a bloody path to her ultimate goal; the Iron Throne. Margaery's death during the Great Sept's destruction drives King Tommen to suicide. In the wake of her son's death, Cersei seizes power and crowns herself as the new Queen of Westeros.
Cersei's unexpected coronation in the season 6 finale is the culmination of her path to power. Both Daenerys and Cersei showcase extraordinary strength throughout the series. Despite their downfalls, the queens of House Lannister and Targaryen left an undeniable legacy rife with defining moments of power.