Game of Thrones’ final season is my most highly anticipated finale since LOST. While many thought LOST faltered, it was actually perfection. It followed through on everything that came before. Unfortunately, that cannot be said for the final season of Game of Thrones. Episode 4 cemented this season’s fate, and it appears that the newly leaked spoilers are in fact correct. Dany and Jon should have never left the lake in the first episode. They should have lived out their days together without a worry in the world. Unfortunately, their fate seems to be that of a pair of star-crossed lovers. I do not say this lightly. I hate having to say this. But Season 8 of Game of Thrones is sexist, and this was no more apparent than in ‘The Last of the Starks.’
Dany plays nice
During the celebration after the defeat of the Night King, Dany plays nice, but everyone praises Jon. They praise his ability to ride a dragon, which Dany has done for years. They praise him as the King they chose. This clearly irks Dany, though she puts on a brave face. This woman has sacrificed everything. She built an army from scratch, saved countless souls from slavery, and traveled to Westeros to take back the Iron Throne, her birthright. Then she met Jon Snow, unknowingly her nephew. She fell in love and he convinced her to help him win his war against the army of the dead. Like she told Sansa, who manipulated who?
Dany begs Jon not to tell anyone of his heritage as a Targaryen
Dany’s army is decimated. Jon learns of his true heritage, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, his true name being Aegon Targaryen. He is now a threat to Dany’s claim to the throne, despite the fact that he doesn’t want it. Through and through, he still pledges himself to Dany. She loves him deeply, yet he never once tells her that he loves her (screwed up.) For the first time in her life, she begs for something. She is at her most vulnerable, a side of herself that she has only ever shown to Jon. She asks him not to tell anyone of his heritage. Despite the fact that he doesn’t want the throne, Dany is more adept than Jon. She knows that there are those who would use this information to usurp her. She knows that if Sansa learns the truth, she will use it to try to get rid of Danaerys. Jon being Jon, the naive man he is, says he must tell his family and that they can all live together. Dany rejects this and tells him she has already told him how they can live together. She knows that Sansa is a threat.
Sansa, that lying ****
Now it’s my policy not to use strong language on this site. It is family-friendly, but let’s face it: Game of Thrones is not a family-friendly show. Jon, the blockhead he is (and I do like him) tells his family his heritage, but only after he forces them to swear to secrecy. Arya doesn’t hesitate. Sansa does. And then the stupid bitch goes and tells Tyrion. Typical Sansa. Danareys needs to execute her. Tyrion tells Varys, who will most definitely be burned alive in the next episode. Tyrion is still loyal to his Queen but Varys thinks Jon, in part because he is a man (he has a cock), will make a better ruler, even though he wants nothing to do with the throne. He says that people are drawn to Jon, but what about all of those who have been drawn to Dany for eight seasons!? What about those inspired by her abolition of slavery? All of those slaves who fought back against the Masters? The Unsullied, who followed her by choice. Missandei, who followed her by choice. Tyrion again stands by Dany, but the rampant sexism within this episode is encapsulated in this very scene.
While Jon is a decent leader, he has a legacy of failure. He was murdered by the Night’s Watch because of his lack of foresight. If not for the Knights of the Vale, he would have lost the Battle of the Bastards. While he fought valiantly during the Battle for Winterfell, so did Dany, and she lost her closest friend and advisor in the process. She rode Drogon and lit the Wights aflame. Yet is she given any credit for this? No. It’s all about Jon. Dany has a legacy as a great leader and a winner. Jon’s legacy is much less impressive.
Varys, betraying every ruler he’s ever served
Varys is afraid that Dany will become like her father and will be a tyrant. This makes no sense. Dany has always been fairly tempered. She inspires the best in people, yet she’s harsh when she needs to be. She gave the Tarly’s every chance to live, yet they chose to die. In fact, Sam’s brother didn’t have to die; he chose to die alongside his father. She gave the Masters every opportunity to live, and even shows some level of mercy. Dany shows levity. She’s harsh when she needs to be, but the core of her character can be summed up in season six, where Danaerys speaks to Tyrion and the Greyjoys.
“Our fathers were evil men. They left the world worse than they found it. We’re going to leave it better than we found it.”
Dany will do what she has to do, even if the decisions are hard, but she’s working to reshape the very fabric of society. There are going to be sacrifices. And she is by no means perfect, but she is the best choice for the Iron Throne.
Dracarys
What troubles me worst is the ending of the episode. Dany is shown to be incompetent and is caught off guard by Euron’s fleet, which was implausible, and Rhaegal, the dragon named after Jon’s father, dies. Her fleet is ambushed and her best friend, Missandei, is captured by Cersei. She has no intention of allowing her to live. Cersei demands Danaerys’ unconditional surrender and Tyrion pleads with his sister to stop, less King’s Landing will be burnt to the ground. Cersei gives a smug smile, tells Missandei if she has any last words, this is the time. Missandei, one of the strongest female characters on the show, utters one word. Dracarys.
Burn it to the ground
Dany is furious. King’s Landing will burn to the ground, and rightfully so. The biggest problem though is that they are making Dany out to be a Mad Queen. She’s completely justified in what she’s doing, and what she will do. Burn them all to the ground. What’s upsetting is not only their rampant sexism within the episode, but the writers, D&D, are portraying Dany as being mad for shock value. This is something that was already addressed seasons ago and was rejected. This is the height of sexism.
Dany sacrificed everything to fight Jon’s war for him. She and her dragons saved the world. And now her own advisors and subjects are plotting against her, conspiring to put Jon/Aegon on the Iron Throne, thinking her mad. It’s a sick joke. I’ve never seen such blatant sexism on a show before, and they are destroying an eight-year story arc for the sake of subverting expectations. They learned from their master Rian Johnson well. Jon is a man of honor and will stand by Dany until the very end, but will he be able to stomach what has to be done? Dany isn’t mad, but D&D are having everyone think she is. And that is where the true problem lies.
Star-crossed lovers
Missandei’s final words ring true. Burn her murderers until there is nothing left (and Sansa while she’s at it.) Danaerys is more than justified in doing so. And burn anyone who tries to get in her way.
Dracarys.