Game of Thrones Round Table: Did Daenerys Make a Mistake?

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Well, that happened. 

On Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4, Daenerys lost even more allies, but did she make a mistake by not flying higher?

Below, TV Fanatics Christine Orlando, Becca Newton, and Paul Dailly discuss those big twists, and more!

Daenerys lost not only a dragon but also one of her closest allies. Is she about to fully embrace the role of the Mad Queen?

Christine: I don’t know if calling her the “Mad Queen” is fair. It’s not as though Cersei hasn’t earned what’s headed her way. It won’t surprise me if Daenerys shows no mercy when she fights to defeat Cersei, and I can’t say I’ll blame her. 

Becca: Dany will do whatever it takes, which means it ain’t looking good for the population of King’s Landing. 

Everyone still standing after the destruction will believe Dany has embraced being the Mad Queen.

Whether the audience will feel the same is debatable seeing as there is a big disconnect between what Game of Thrones says and what it shows.    

Paul: Cersei has people executed on the reg, she blew up a lot of innocence people alongside her enemies with Wildfire. Yet, Daenerys is being called the "Mad Queen" purely because of her father. 

Missandei in Chains - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

Did you find it utterly ridiculous that Daenerys would take the little army she had and Drogon to King's Landing immediately after what happened?

Christine: Daenerys feared that the longer she waited, the stronger Cersei’s army would become. I may not agree with her logic, but I do understand the point of view so that I wouldn’t call it ridiculous.

Unfortunately, Dany needs to realize that her enemies know the dragons are coming and that they are an attractive target. I think not holding them back a bit, or trying to keep them more hidden was her most foolish mistake. 

Becca: Like Christine, I understand Dany is afraid the longer she waits, the harder it will be to beat Cersei, but there are better options than just rushing straight into open battle.  Then again, the military strategy across the board has been laughable for so long, the decisions don’t matter.

Paul: This development made me mad, but she was driven by rage. Cersei could have butchered the rest of the Unsullied, Daenerys, and her dragon if she wanted to. 

Saying Goodbye - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

Jon's lineage became common knowledge. How will this play out?

Christine: It will play out much the way Daenerys said it would. People will want Jon on the throne.

He’s beloved and trusted. Even if he chooses not to take the throne, it will weaken her rule. Perhaps the best thing that could happen to Daenerys is that Jon is killed fighting for her. 

Related: Get HBO via Prime Video Channels for Addictive Dramas, Hilarious Comedies & Hit Movies!

Becca: I think the ultimate outcome will either be the realm splits back into independent kingdoms or some sort of ruling council is formed. There’s an outside chance Jon will reluctantly accept the throne, but Dany’s chances are all but gone.  

Paul: I have no idea, but the way it was executed was terrible. The writers are really pushing Daenerys as this villain in the final episodes, and it's horrid. It's not going to end well for anyone. 

A Bloody Aftermath - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4

Brienne and Jaime got hot and heavy, only for Jaime to flee Winterfell to return to King's Landing. React!

Christine: I loved that these two finally hooked up. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that Brienne got weepy when Jamie left, and Jamie put his emotional armor back on in order to walk away and face his sister.

When Jamie faces Cersei again, we’ll find out exactly how much he has or hasn’t changed. 

Related: Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3 Review: Not Today

Becca: The sex scene couldn’t top the knighting scene. Instead of Jaime’s “She’s hateful; I’m hateful too,” rant and leaving his intentions ambiguous, I wish his farewell had been more about what he learned about being a knight from Brienne and how he would be shirking his responsibility as if he stayed at Winterfell.  

Paul: it was about time! However, I hated the way Jaime left in the final few moments. Why would he get close to Brienne only to return to his wicked sister?

Repaying a Debt - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 2

Jon/Aegon gave his direwolf away without so much as saying goodbye. What are your thoughts on that?

Christine: That was so wrong! I think that bothered me more than the dragon getting killed. I couldn’t believe he didn’t go over and give Ghost a proper goodbye and a pat on the head.

It makes me doubt everything I thought I knew about Jon Snow. 

Becca: I wish Jon and Ghost had more of a good-bye, but a heartfelt farewell wasn’t going to make up for seasons of not showing the importance of their bond. 

One of my biggest disappointments with the series as a whole is the decision to downplay the direwolves and the mystical traits of House Stark.  

Paul: Yeah, the series is not doing very well with the direwolves. There have been a lot of hints over the years at something more, but with two episodes left, it's hard to imagine anything significant happening. 

Daenerys Sulks - Game of Thrones

Men in the North referred to Jon as either a King or a Mad Man for riding a dragon into battle. Daenerys has been doing this much longer and even knocked the Night King off Viserion during the battle of Winterfell. Where is all the love for Daenerys? 

Christine: Jon is their hero. They feel that he’s one of them, whereas Daenerys is a woman they don’t understand or trust and probably fear. Dany has to work twice as hard to earn half the respect. 

Becca: Before Tormund made those comments, he did make a toast to the Dragon Queen.

He recognizes and appreciates Dany’s contribution, but they don’t have a personal relationship.  The difference between having a friendship with Jon and only having a professional relationship with Dany greatly impacts how Tormund views and treats each of them.    

Related: Game of Thrones Prequel Pilot Gets Green Light at HBO

Paul: Daenerys could have gone straight to King's Landing and won instead of helping Jon and the North first. 

It's obvious that there's animosity towards Daenerys from the North. She should have been given a better thank you because all she seems to get is people serving her looks.  

Treason? - Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 5

As we head into the final battle, who do you want to survive? Who do you want to die?

Christine: After killing Missandei, I definitely want Cersei to die a horrible death. I’d like to see The Mountain go down too.

As for who survives: Daenerys, Sansa, Arya, Tyrion are at the top of my list. It would be nice if Brienne, Jamie, Jon, and the final dragon made it to the end alive, but if they don’t, I won’t be heartbroken. 

Becca: Cersei, Euron, Qyburn, and the Mountain need to go.  As for who I want to survive, it’s hard for me to say because I’m nowhere near as attached to the tv characters as I am to their counterparts in the novels.       

Paul: Cersei, Euron, the Mountain, and Jaime need to go. I want Dany, Jon, the Starks, and the Hound to survive. 

What's your take on the questions?

Hit the comments and chime in!

Remember you can watch Game of Thrones online right here via TV Fanatic. 

Game of Thrones airs Sundays on HBO. 

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.

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Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 4 Quotes

To Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm’s End.

Davos

We’re here to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters, to our fathers and mothers, to our friends, our fellow men and women who set aside their differences to fight together and die together so that others might live. Everyone in this world owes them a debt that can never be repaid. It is our duty and our honor to keep them alive in memory for those who come after us, and those who come after them, for as long as men draw breath.

Jon