Daenerys Targaryen Has a Huge Problem That Has Nothing to Do With Cersei
Daenerys Targaryen is about to do what she's been talking about for juuuust about the whole series. Looking at the episode 4 trailer, she's headed back to Dragonstone, to try and take down the Mad Queen Cersei Lannister once and for all. But, it looks like the creators are teasing a conflict that Dany clearly hasn't thought about.
![Human, Games,](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y5Kfg9Ht6ZBoNZDxzuS7j-415-80.jpg)
Spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8. Daenerys Targaryen is about to do what she's been talking about for juuuust about the whole series. From the episode 4 trailer, fans have been able to deduce that she's headed back to Dragonstone, an ideal location from which to—you guessed it—try and take down the Mad Queen Cersei Lannister once and for all. She's still got two dragons (I really thought Rhaegal was dead after he dumped Jon into the snow and then kind of disappeared, but you can see both dragons flying in the trailer), a bunch of ships, soldiers who are kind of exhausted but still ready to fight, and the absolutely singleminded determination to rip Cersei out "root and stem." But cleverly, it looks like the creators are teasing a conflict that Dany clearly hasn't thought about, and is going to cause her some huge problems.
That problem comes from the friends she thinks she has but in fact does not. The first is Sansa: You see her looking terribly worried as the dragons fly overhead, and you also see a scene in which Dany looks like she's leaving Winterfell in a horrible mood. So the Starks, despite having literally fought beside Dany to defeat the super-scary dead guy who wanted to kill them all, are still not Team Dany. (Honestly, that's kind of disappointing, but I guess it's in keeping with the way the North behaves.) There's also the fact that incest isn't a super big deal to Dany, but judging by Jon Snow/Aegon's face, it, uh, kind of isn't his favorite thing. So her boyfriend might not be her boyfriend anymore.
A post shared by gameofthrones (@gameofthrones)
A photo posted by on
The other part of the problem is that Dany has been losing allies and loyal soldiers, as originally pointed out by A Cast of Kings podcaster Joanna Robinson. The Dothraki were almost entirely annihilated—which I hope the show spends some time with, because other fans have correctly pointed out the enormous loss of life and cultural heritage that it represents. Sir Jorah is dead (RIP) and we know he followed her unquestioningly—perhaps the only one, aside from Missandei and Greyworm. Greyworm: I'm pretty sure we'll find out in this episode, but how many of the Unsullied are left, really, since they were at the front lines? (Same note as with the Dothraki—I hope this isn't glossed over.) Missandei: How much power does she really have to help? Plus there's this absolutely bananas theory that she might be a Faceless Man who'll kill Dany (this would be the wooooorst).
Tyrion and Varys: Well, I don't fault either of them for trying to bring harmony to the realm, but that is their true allegiance, not one particular ruler. They did talk quietly about Dany's slightly alarming people-burning tendencies in the last season, and I'm betting that's going to come back as important. Plus, Tyrion with that hand-kiss to Sansa in the crypts is striking up, if not a romance, at least a rapport with the wary and cautious Stark.
Given that Dany is just, so, confident in episode 4 (and the fact that we have an episode 5 and 6) tells me that she might be overestimating her own abilities. And she is not going to take it well when she realizes. Could Dany lose it all? Or worse, could we be replacing one Mad Queen with another Mad Queen?
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.
Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Back on Their Date Night Style Beat
The duo touched down in NYC for a Friday night dinner.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Sienna Miller's Gown Wants to Know, "How Low Can You Go?"
Clavicle is the new side boob.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Redefines the Revenge Dress
It's mirrored, side-baring, and covered in bows.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'House of the Dragon' Season 3: Everything We Know
Here's everything that anticlimactic finale is building towards.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
What to Know About the 'House of the Dragon' Dragonseeds Hugh Hammer, Addam of Hull, and Ulf the White
We're breaking down the bastards with Valyrian blood—and how they could influence the future of the show.
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Did Aegon Die in 'House of the Dragon?' A Breakdown of Season 2 Episode 4
We're breaking down *that* death, including what happens in George R. R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood.'
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The 30 Celebrity Memoirs That Are Actually Worth Reading
Britney Spears, Demi Moore, Jessica Simpson, and more drop some serious bombshells in these pages.
By Andrea Park Published
-
What Happened in the 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Premiere?
The 'Game of Thrones' prequel returned with one of the franchise's most brutal scenes ever.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
How Victoria Justice Learned to Use Her Voice on the Set of 'Victorious'
The former Nickelodeon star recalls what it was like to speak up to adults on set as a child.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones Tease an Announcement: "We've Got Some News to Share"
The former 'Normal People' costars and IRL best friends seem to have a new project in the works.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Everything We Know About Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's New Reality Show
The '00s icons are reunited for a new reality show—which won't be a reboot of 'The Simple Life.'
By Sadie Bell Published