Daenerys Targaryen’s devastating attack on King’s Landing in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones remains one of the most debated and shocking moments in television history, prompting viewers to ask, “Why Did Daenerys Go Mad?” In “The Bells,” Daenerys, once hailed as the Breaker of Chains, unleashed her dragon Drogon upon the city after it had already surrendered to her forces. This act of fiery destruction annihilated Euron Greyjoy’s Iron Fleet, decimated the Golden Company, and overwhelmed the city’s defenses. However, it was after the city bells rang, signaling Cersei Lannister’s capitulation, that Daenerys’ actions took a terrifying turn. She continued her assault, raining dragonfire upon the innocent civilians of King’s Landing, culminating in a massacre that solidified her transformation into the Mad Queen.
This brutal decision echoed the infamous reign of her father, Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, forcing the inhabitants of King’s Landing to relive the horrors of his madness. Daenerys fulfilled the very fears that both her allies and enemies harbored about her, seemingly abandoning the compassionate leader she had strived to be. For many long-time viewers, this sudden shift was jarring, appearing to betray Daenerys’ carefully crafted character arc from a vulnerable exile to a powerful queen determined to forge a better world. Yet, upon closer examination, Daenerys Targaryen’s descent into madness, while controversial, was not entirely out of the blue.
The Seeds of Madness: Understanding Daenerys’ Breaking Point
The Gradual Erosion of Daenerys’ Support System
The burning of King’s Landing, initially considered by Daenerys as a strategic option in her war against Cersei Lannister, was an idea she had previously been persuaded against by Tyrion Lannister. At the outset of Game of Thrones season 7, Daenerys arrived in Westeros with overwhelming force and the potential for a swift victory.
Her initial position was enviable. Daenerys had assembled a formidable coalition: Tyrion Lannister as her Hand, alliances with Olenna Tyrell of Highgarden, Ellaria Sand of Dorne, and Yara Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, alongside the counsel of Varys and the unwavering loyalty of Missandei.
Furthermore, her military strength was unmatched, boasting the Unsullied legions led by Grey Worm, the Dothraki horde, and her three dragons, Rhaegal, Viserion, and Drogon. A defeat against Cersei seemed almost impossible. However, through a series of strategic missteps and calculated moves by her enemies, Daenerys faced a string of losses, with the exception of the Loot Train Battle, a decisive victory showcasing the devastating power of her dragons.
By the time Daenerys reached Winterfell to join the fight against the Night King in season 8, a season often criticized for its rushed narrative, her military might had been significantly depleted. Key allies like Ellaria Sand and Olenna Tyrell were dead. Yara Greyjoy was captured, and her Iron Fleet destroyed by Euron Greyjoy. Most devastatingly, Viserion had fallen and been resurrected as an ice dragon under the Night King’s control.
Daenerys’ journey to Winterfell was met with suspicion and coldness, despite Jon Snow’s presence and support. It was here, amidst the chilling atmosphere of the North, that Daenerys suffered a profound personal blow: the death of Jorah Mormont, her steadfast advisor and friend, who perished defending her during the Battle of Winterfell. Following the victory against the White Walkers, further tragedies struck as Daenerys returned to Dragonstone. Euron Greyjoy ambushed her fleet, killing Rhaegal, and Missandei was captured and brutally executed by Cersei in a final act of cruelty witnessed by Daenerys.
The Weight of Loss and Betrayal: Daenerys’ Descent into Despair
Trauma and Isolation Fueling the Mad Queen’s Emergence
Key Losses Suffered by Daenerys Leading to King’s Landing:
| Character | How She Was Lost |
|---|---|
| Ellaria Sand | Captured by Cersei Lannister, daughters poisoned |
| Yara Greyjoy | Captured by Euron Greyjoy, Iron Fleet decimated |
| Olenna Tyrell | Suicide after Lannister capture of Highgarden |
| Viserion | Killed and resurrected by the Night King as an ice dragon |
| Jorah Mormont | Killed in the Battle of Winterfell defending Daenerys |
| Rhaegal | Killed by Euron Greyjoy |
| Missandei | Executed by the Mountain on Cersei’s orders |
| Varys | Betrayed her, plotting to install Jon Snow |
| Tyrion Lannister | Betrayed her, revealing Jon Snow’s claim |
| Jon Snow | Killed her |
In “The Bells,” Daenerys was confronted with the stark reality that her closest and most trusted allies from Essos were gone. Apart from Grey Worm, who was consumed by grief for Missandei, everyone else who pledged allegiance to her was from Westeros. Adding to her isolation, she discovered they were actively undermining her claim. The secret of Jon Snow’s true parentage as Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, had become widespread knowledge. Despite Daenerys’ pleas for secrecy, Jon had confided in his Stark sisters, Arya and Sansa, and Sansa promptly shared this information with Tyrion.
From Daenerys’ perspective, she was surrounded by Westerosi advisors who were plotting against her, while the people from Essos she deeply trusted had been taken from her as she strived to save their realm.
Once Tyrion divulged Jon’s lineage to Varys, the Master of Whisperers began sending secret messages across Westeros, attempting to rally support for Jon’s claim to the Iron Throne over Daenerys’. The undeniable truth was that Jon’s bloodline gave him a stronger claim to the throne than hers. While many viewers felt Daenerys’ sudden turn to the Mad Queen was abrupt and unconvincing, her capacity for ruthlessness had been subtly foreshadowed throughout Game of Thrones.
The argument that Daenerys’ transformation contradicted seven seasons of character development, where she seemingly resisted her Targaryen impulses in favor of just rule, overlooks the mounting pressures and losses she endured. From Daenerys’ perspective, she had been betrayed by the Westerosi who surrounded her, and the trusted individuals from Essos, who had been her anchors, were now gone. Those who remained, like Tyrion, ultimately betrayed her for what they believed was the greater good of Westeros, culminating in Daenerys’ death and Bran Stark’s ascension to the Iron Throne.
Westeros’ Rejection: The Final Catalyst for Daenerys’ Fury
Retaliation and the Desire for Fear over Love
By the time Daenerys achieved victory at King’s Landing, she was confronted with the harsh reality that Westeros, despite all her sacrifices, refused to accept or love her as their Targaryen queen.
In Essos, Daenerys was a charismatic figure, met with adoration and loyalty. Her successes were fueled by her unwavering self-belief and the genuine affection she inspired. However, Westeros offered a stark contrast. Daenerys painfully discovered that she was met with mistrust and suspicion. The collective memory of the Targaryens in Westeros was tainted by the Mad King’s reign, creating a deep-seated prejudice against her. Tyrion himself observed Sansa Stark’s “determined” resistance to trusting Daenerys, and despite Daenerys’ attempts at friendship, the Lady of Winterfell remained coldly distant.
As Daenerys stood victorious in King’s Landing, she realized that despite her immense losses and efforts, Westeros would not embrace her. The final blow was Jon Snow’s hesitation to reciprocate her romantic affection, signaling a deeper rejection. Her only remaining option, in her mind, was to command their fear. Daenerys believed she was uniquely qualified to rule, having dedicated years to learning the art of governance. Her original intention in coming to Westeros was to “break the wheel” and build a just society. However, the actions of her Westerosi allies convinced her that they were only interested in preserving the existing, flawed system.
From the beginning to the controversial ending of Game of Thrones, Westeros, arguably, failed Daenerys. She sacrificed everything in her pursuit of the Iron Throne, only to be met with rejection and betrayal. In that moment of victory, she snapped, unleashing her accumulated grief, frustration, and rage upon King’s Landing. While it can be argued that the Mad Queen persona was always latent within Daenerys, merely revealing itself in the end, it’s equally plausible to suggest that Westeros itself drove her to “madness,” ultimately receiving the destructive response they, in a way, provoked.
Beyond Villainy: Recontextualizing Daenerys’ Actions
A Force of Nature Corrupted, Not a True Antagonist
Despite the horrific events of her season 8 “heel turn,” Daenerys remains far from being the ultimate villain of Game of Thrones. Daenerys can be viewed as a product of Westeros’ inherent cruelty, a reflection of the violence and power struggles that define the realm. She serves as a stark reminder of the cycles of destruction that have plagued Westerosi history, as explored in the prequel series House of the Dragon.
Her tragic arc also serves as a cautionary tale about Westeros’ future, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and the cyclical nature of conflict if fundamental change doesn’t occur. This realization likely informed Tyrion’s decision to advocate for Bran the Broken as ruler, believing wisdom and knowledge to be more crucial than brute force on the throne.
It’s crucial to remember the extensive trauma Daenerys endured throughout her life. Even Khal Drogo, a character often romanticized by fans, initially sexually assaulted Daenerys. While she eventually found agency and power in their relationship, the early violence she suffered is a stark reminder of the pervasive cruelty in both Essos and Westeros that contributed to the Mad Queen’s emergence. She became a brutal liberator, hardened by loss and reacting to a hostile world with the same brutality she had experienced.
However, Daenerys’ actions, while horrific, don’t equate to the dehumanizing sadism exhibited by characters like Ramsay Bolton or Joffrey Baratheon. Her character is deeply rooted in a complex backstory and, initially, driven by noble intentions. She is perhaps best understood as a force of nature, akin to her dragons – a powerful entity capable of both creation and destruction, ultimately corrupted into a destructive force rather than the transformative power she could have been.
House of the Dragon: Illuminating the Targaryen Legacy of Madness
Contextualizing Daenerys Through Her Ancestors
Game of Thrones‘ portrayal of Daenerys’ final arc gains further context when viewed through the lens of her ancestors in House of the Dragon. Many Targaryens throughout history have exhibited the infamous “Targaryen madness.” While never explicitly defined, this tendency is implied to be a consequence of generations of incestuous relationships and the ancient blood magic inherent in the Valyrian lineage. This “madness” played a significant role in events like the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war that brought House Targaryen to the brink of extinction.
As House of the Dragon reveals, this madness can manifest in various forms, from prophetic visions or “dragon dreams,” as seen in characters like Helaena and Aegon, to impulsive violence and bloodlust, exemplified by Daemon or Aerys II. Therefore, the Mad Queen twist in Game of Thrones is not entirely unprecedented, especially for those familiar with the Targaryen family history.
Westeros will forever remember Daenerys as the Targaryen queen who incinerated King’s Landing, fulfilling the Mad King legacy of her father. For her detractors, her actions were predictable, aligning with their preconceived notions. It was only her loyal followers and perhaps the audience who were truly shocked by her descent. With House of the Dragon delving deeper into the Targaryen bloodline, Daenerys’ transformation into the Dragon Queen, with all its terrifying implications, appears less like a sudden betrayal of character and more like an almost inevitable outcome of her heritage and experiences.
A Rushed Conclusion: The Flawed Execution of Daenerys’ Madness
The Potential for a More Organic Descent
Daenerys’ transformation into the Mad Queen was a deeply divisive element of Game of Thrones‘ final season. However, it’s arguable that the core concept of her descent was not inherently flawed, but rather its execution. The overwhelming sentiment among fans is that Daenerys’ cruelty seemed abrupt and unearned. While the ending felt rushed and contributed to this suddenness, the show had indeed established her capacity for ruthlessness long before the burning of King’s Landing.
This darker side was evident as early as season 1, when Daenerys watched impassively as Khal Drogo brutally murdered her brother Viserys with molten gold. Furthermore, in response to Robert Baratheon’s assassination attempt, Drogo pledged to conquer Westeros, promising widespread slaughter and rape, a speech Daenerys witnessed with apparent pride. These early moments hinted at a capacity for ruthlessness that could surface when she sought revenge or felt justified in extreme measures.
Part of the issue stems from the fact that Daenerys’ acts of cruelty were often directed at undeniably villainous figures, such as slavers, leading audiences to condone and even cheer her actions. In Essos, she was celebrated as a liberator for her fiery justice. Upon arriving in Westeros, she may have perceived herself continuing this role, perhaps expecting the burning of King’s Landing to be similarly lauded as a necessary act of liberation, albeit misguidedly.
George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels have also subtly suggested a darkness within Daenerys, hinting that her character arc in the books may ultimately lead to a similar tragic outcome. However, it’s likely Martin envisions a more nuanced and organically developed path for Daenerys’ descent into “madness.” Martin often subverts simplistic narratives about Westerosi history and morality. Therefore, the books may explore the “Targaryen Madness” as a far more intricate and less deterministic concept than simply attributing it to bloodline, allowing for a more gradual and psychologically complex exploration of Daenerys’ tragic transformation.
Ultimately, the criticisms directed at Daenerys’ ending in Game of Thrones are not without merit. While the showrunners may have intended this trajectory for her character from an earlier point, the rushed pacing of the final season prevented a truly organic and believable development of her descent. However, the ending itself, in concept, aligns with the established complexities of Daenerys’ character and could have been a compelling and impactful conclusion if given the necessary time and nuanced execution.
