Looking Forward Season 4, Part 5: Daenerys

Daenerys, Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Hot Chili Momma or whatever your pleasure may be, this one is for Dany.

And if you don’t mind, let us non-book readers be 100% honest right now…. we have no freakin’ clue what the most eligible bachelorette of Thrones is going to do next season (I polled two or three, which makes this statement a scientific certainty).  So, if someone claims they do, they are either peeking in the verbiage or cheating in the wikis.  And I am sworn by oath to do neither.

Speaking of oaths, and before we delve into Maw Dragon, please allow me a brief moment of your time for a bit of clarification.  It seems there is confusion, and confusion breeds confusion much like titles breed titles I can only assume.

Read the books and you will find out!

The Reason “Why”

In terms of GoT, I rarely venture past the safe haven of WiC.net (and even on it, I stay away from book topics, casting news, and other related discussions).  The reason for this is quite simple, and the locals know this already: SPOILERS.  They are everywhere, so I am not.  And if you are a non-book reader, neither should you.  However, after I posted Part 4: Bolton, there were some comments that I ran into on some other platforms regarding the post that went something like this:  “Why speculate?  Read the books” or the more popular “Read the books and you will find out.”

Before you say it, yes I know I should not have been reading comments on other platforms about a post on WiC.  Dish out the punishment as you see fit.  It is warranted.  But, let me take this opportunity to clarify one of my capacities as a contributor for those that may not know.  In a nutshell, here goes:

By the grace of the Seven (or possibly the Lord of Light), I was chosen as the Unsullied voice on this here fine site.  (Unsullied=non-book reader, Sullied=book reader, titles, titles, etc.).  When GoT began on HBO some three-odd years ago, Ozzette and I made a decision not to read the books and to be shocked and awed by the show alone, at least for the time being.  Make no mistake…. I will read the books.  I have mentioned once before that I envision myself being older and quite overweight sitting beneath an umbrella on a beach accompanied by a cooler of PBRs and a stack of GRRMs (quite a lofty goal, wouldn’t you say?).

Nevertheless, the decision to avoid the books for now is by choice (and subsequent oath) only.  The Sullied seem to enjoy the fact that I know nothing, yet continuously make an ass of myself with mindless speculation.  And the Unsullied seem to enjoy the fact that someone speaks for them from time to time.

The simple fact is that, it is a choice.  Many fans have already read them.  Many are catching up during the off season.  Many are waiting until the show concludes.  And yet many of the show fandom will never read them, and that is their right.

I enjoy the speculation.  I enjoy the discussion.  I enjoy contributing, and as long as one or two people enjoy my contributions then I will continue forth, for it brings us closer to March with each passing article.  If I read the books, I would not be able to do so.  For many of you, the books came waaaayyyy before the show.  For myself and many others, the show came before the books.  I want to finish it that way.

And those are my reasons for not reading the books for the time being.  Rest assured, this will not be the last time I have to clarify as this site has new visitors daily. But I don’t mind if you don’t.  So let’s look forward my dear peeps….. autumn is coming!

The Lady with the Dragon Trio

For those of you that read here on a regular basis, you are likely caught up on the show and are well aware of the history of Dany and how she has gone from the bride of Khal Drogo (so that her sweet brother Viserys would have an army to retake the Iron Throne) to the Mother of Dragons and emancipator of slave cities.

Her ultimate goal is obvious: to reclaim the Iron Throne.  This much is known.

But when can we expect the Khaleesi to catch the ferry over to Westeros?

Book Logic from a non-book reader

Oxymoron?  More like an Ozymoron.  But it’s really all I have to go by, and it is surely not rocket science.  So follow my flawed guesstimations…..

It is widely known that Season 3 and Season 4 are a split of the third book in the series (a Storm of Swords).   This means (or should mean) that roughly the 2^nd half of the book will represent the bulk of Season 4.  As has been well documented above, I haven’t read the books.  So this is purely grasping at straws.  But it seems that starting the voyage over to Westeros mid-book or beyond is highly unlikely, although certainly not out of the question.

However, I have to believe that the trip across the pond comes at a later date, in a later book, and on a later season.  Surely there are more slave cities to free and the dragons need more time to fish and get bigger, not to mention the fact that Dany is never afraid to add to her ever-growing emancipation posse.  Astapor brought us Missandei, Selmy, and the great Grey Worm (oh, and the Unsullied of course).  Yunkai enlightened our lives with the addition of Daario.   Aren’t we in need of more good looking warrior types to join Team Targaryen?

Here is my issue.

While Dany bides her time across the pond, life is moving pretty fast in Westeros and winter is inevitably coming.  Judging from the simple question of whom we should cover next in this series, many responded with Dany.  But many did not share the same love, and I think I completely understand at least one of the reasons.

The story itself is Westeros and the many players it currently encompasses.  Dany has yet to enter this picture, and even Tywin himself downplayed her importance during Season 3 in his throne room meeting with Joffrey.  The logical side of me understands that patience with her story is a virtue and will likely pay off in later seasons.  The anxious irascible side of me wants her to get on the damn boat and go raise hell.

The question is, how will another season of hanging out away from the action translate onto the screen?  Seemingly everyone she comes in contact with in Essos is no match for her army and the flying, fire-breathing lizards.  I realize that other dangers may lay in waiting that could lead to some important developments.  But will the audience grow distant from her if she is not in the thick of the battle for the Throne?  Have some of them already?

And then there are the dragons and their expected growth.  How much do dragons grow through the pages of one book?  A question for the well-versed no doubt, and not intended for commented response here.  But the Unsullied will likely expect to see some bigger stronger faster pets since the nine month hiatus.  Disappointment may be imminent.

But seriously, dragon growth charts are trivial, are they not?  Let’s discuss something meaningful and thought provoking……

Jedi Love Triangle

So, up until Thursday of last week, I was going to attempt to do something moderately humorous with the Jorah/Daario/Dany love triangle that seems to be developing as referenced by the obvious dismay shown by Jorah as Daario announced that Yunkai had surrendered at the end of S3.  It was going to go something like this:

Dany plays the old Dating Game with made up questions from yours truly, answered with actual dialogue from the show (well, almost).

Dany: “Bachelor #1, how would your description of me be different than that of the other bachelor?

B1:  “We have philosophical differences.”

Dany:  “Over what?”

B1:  “Your beauty.  It means more to me than it does him.”

Dany:  “Bachelor #2, how do you respond to this statement?”

B2:  “Khaaaaaaallllleeeeeeessiiiiiii!!!!!!”

But then the news broke that Daario had been recast (not that this changes the plot of the story in any form).  However, it led me in another direction entirely for the conclusion of this post….. will the real Daario please stand up?

Honesty Time

Here it is, in black and white and surrounded by blue and gray borders…….. I was never fond of Skrein.  For a while, I have struggled with the exact reasoning for my disapproval.  I couldn’t decide if it was his acting skills, or how he was portraying the character as a Fabiesque type of guy (is that a word?), or the simple fact that I am secretly cheering for Jorah to win the heart of the precious Dany.

In any case, my feelings are not hurt at all to say the least on the recast.  I have never questioned the casting on this show.  As an Unsullied, it is wonderful to not have preconceived notions of what I think characters from a book should look like, act like, etc.  The casting is second to none in my opinion.  But for me, Skrein never fit the screen.  The bathtub scene dialogue was excellent, but I found myself wishing that there was some other guy portraying the part with something more than just a fancy accent.  It was a good scene.  It could have been excellent.

Enough of the whining.  Cast attrition is a part of life on the small screen, and with a cast this big I am surprised it has not been worse.  Regardless of the Daario scenario, I will likely always be pulling for Jorah.  But I am hopeful that the new Daario adds something more to the character.

S4 Prediction

Dany goes to emancipate another slave city or continues building her army (or both at the same time), but somehow runs into some real trouble.  Maybe the dragons fly off to mate, or maybe Jorah gets perturbed with Daario and leaves.  Either way, it won’t be a continuation of the peaceful “Mhysa” conclusion.  A battle will ensue leaving Selmy critically injured while another handsome warrior joins the club.  Daario and Jorah never see eye to eye, but Dany’s attraction to Daario keeps Jorah acting nice until they find out he was a spy all along.  Season 4 ends with Dany and the army setting sail for Westeros and Jorah throwing Daario’s ass off of the boat.  A man can dream.  And upon further review, perhaps my issue was not with Skrien at all.

Jorah Forevah!

And that’s all I have today boys and girls.  Thanks for taking the time to read the latest entry.  I sincerely hope it has given you insight beyond compare.

What do you think about the Dany storyline?  Comment away. And if you are Sullied, feel free to drop a friendly “hello” or just tell us how your day is and how much better it is now after reading this incredible article!  And who should we cover next?

But please remember…… NO SPOILERY ON THIS POST.  If it involves the books, just don’t do it.  A man thanks you in advance (and so does the Fury!).

By the way, does anyone else share my strange combination of love for Game of Thrones and American College Football?  I know, it’s somewhat odd.  But so am I.  And it helps pass the time until the next season!

Also, please make sure you vote in the WiC.net Awards.  I have it on good authority that WinterPhil is planning a huge award show at a large venue and is paying for everyone to come.

Thanks again for reading, and may there always and forever be peace in your realm.  –Oz

“Unbowed.  Unbent.  Unsullied.”

Looking Forward Season 4, Part 1: Lysafinger

Looking Forward Season 4, Part 2: Stannis

Looking Forward Season 4, Part 3: The North Remembers

Looking Forward Season 4, Part 4: Bolton

• Published on 09/05/2013 at 1:51 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 12:01 PM CDT