Though I would maintain that Dany’s mask-off moment in the final episodes of “Game of Thrones” felt rather rushed, a product of the dwindling amount of time and space left in the series as opposed to a justified narrative decision on the part of showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, personally I’ve never once quibbled about her actual acts of villainy. Someone so hellbent on ruling a kingdom at all costs, whose claim was based entirely on her (largely inbred) bloodline and her winged weapons of mass destruction, probably wasn’t the flawless hero many in the fanbase thought she was all along.
That would put me in the minority of those who disliked the “Game of Thrones” finale, especially considering all those silly parents who decided to name their children after “Khaleesi” (which is a title, not a name!) despite not knowing where the story was actually going. Actor Peter Dinklage had strong words about this particular aspect about the “Game of Thrones” backlash (as he usually does) when he talked to Independent in early 2022. Echoing similar statements he’s made in the past, Dinklage had this to say:
“People were just mad because nobody wanted it to be over. I know a lot of people were supposedly surprised by the ending, but if you paid attention, the clues were there. We told you not to name your dog Khaleesi.”
Yep, that’s hard to argue with! As early as season 3, Dany had left plenty of red flags about her habit of sacking cities and killing hordes of people she deemed deserving of death. Here’s a word of advice to those tuning into “House of the Dragon:” Maybe don’t turn Rhaenyra into the next popular baby name just yet.
