Game of Thrones season 8: What Missandei’s episode 4 death means for Daenerys Targaryen
Fans aren't happy with how Daenerys' story is going down
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Your support makes all the difference.Game of Thrones fans are angry with the latest death to rock the HBO show.
The first episode following the Battle of Winterfell saw many of the characters arrive in King’s Landing to kick start what Daenerys has been calling The Last War – the fight for the Iron Throne.
However, shortly after arriving, Daenerys suffered big losses. Her dragon Rhaegal was taken out by Euron Greyjoy while Missandei was captured and had her head chopped off at the order of Cersei Lannister in front of her Tyrion, Varys, her lover Grey Worm and the Dragon Queen herself.
Missandei’s death was leaked hours before the episode was broadcast and it left many fans furious. Learning the context of the moment didn’t do much to abate concerns that the series is doing a massive disservice to not only the Nathalie Emmanuel character but also Daenerys.
Why are fans worried? Because they think this signals a twist in Daenerys’ character that goes against everything the show has been building up since she was first introduced in the pilot. Missandei’s final word, shouted as a message to her leader, was “dracarys”. This is the phrase Dany shouts when she wants her dragons to torch everything in sight.
It’s clear that Missandei’s decision to leave this as her parting message is because she wants Dany to proceed with lighting up King’s Landing despite it being the home of many innocent civilians. This would see her fully transition into her father, Aerys II Targaryen – also known as the Mad King.
Fans are in uproar, though, because they feel this is a considered attempt to turn Daenerys into what is essentially a villain. Showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss clearly want fans to think this, also: the final shot shows Daenerys looking vengeful (let’s not forget she lost Jorah the week before and has her claim to the Throne threatened by Jon Snow who has just betrayed her wishes by telling this to both Arya and Sansa).
The latest episode featured a scene involving Brienne of Tarth that has prompted fans to accuse the episode’s writers – showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss – of “hitting ne lows”
The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.
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