Game of Thrones theory: Will Daenerys become the Mad Queen?

There has been a lot of speculation as to who will ultimately sit upon the Iron Throne. But in that journey, will we finally see Game of Thrones give us a Mad Queen?

It is no secret to Game of Thrones fans that there is a history of insanity within the House of Targaryen. Perhaps the most notable instance of this is comes from Daenerys’ own father, Aerys II, who was known as the Mad King. And while the series has long-held Daenerys in a different light, showing her on a mission to end the oppression of the Seven Kingdoms, something else has become obvious about Daenerys Targaryen.

In order to rule the Seven Kingdoms, one must command respect, of course, but that is not all that is required of a leader. There needs to be a balance of compassion and ruthlessness. One must be fierce when necessary, while also being willing to listen and learn from others.

During the fifth season of Game of Thrones, Ser Barristan Selmy made it a point to discuss what inspired the name “Mad King” when it came to Daenerys’ father. He shared what Aerys did to his people, such as burning homes and towns, murdering sons before their fathers’ eyes, and laughing as men screamed and burned in wildfire. While Daenerys was quick to point out that she is not her father, that does not change the fact that were it not for her advisors, it is possible that her ruthlessness could have gone that far.

As TIME points out, there have been plenty of moments where it was only because of her advisors that she did not choose to enforce her will on people using “fire and blood.” And even then, one cannot forget that if you are not with Daenerys Targaryen, then you are clearly against her (at least in her mind). After all, there are clear examples of her killing people for not bending the knee.

If one looks at the way her father reacted to people and how he meted out justice based on his own beliefs of what people deserved, it is clear that Daenerys is following in Aerys’ footsteps. While she may not be gleefully laughing in the face of the deaths she has brought about, that doesn’t mean her inflexibility when it comes to having people bend the knee is not terrifying in its own way.

As Ser Barristan once told Daenerys, “the Mad King gave his enemies the justice he thought they deserved, and each time, it made him feel powerful and right, until the very end.” Looking at what has happened lately paints a picture that is not pretty in terms of Daenerys’ future. Perhaps she is more like her father than she once believed.

If that’s the case, we wonder who we’ll get on the Iron Throne. A Mad Queen, or a reasonable ruler with a sense of honor and fairness?

We all know that Daenerys wants the Iron Throne. She has made that clear for a long time now. And learning the truth about Jon Snow’s heritage was a reminder that this has been her mission for many seasons. But what will she do in order to keep her claim to the throne? And will it be the final straw that leads to a new title for the Mother of Dragons?

We have a lot of questions and no true answers. But the clues are all there, and we may have to hope that the Daenerys who has been fighting to eliminate oppression in the Seven Kingdoms is more than just another member of the House Targaryen with mental health issues.

After all, she has proven for more than seven seasons that she is a powerful woman with the ability to survive. And we don’t want to see all of that strength wasted in a bid for power that leaves her as a female version of her own father.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. 

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Who do you think will end up on the Iron Throne? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.