The Epic Showdown: Unraveling the Battle of King's Landing in Game of Thrones

Highlights

After winning the Great War, Daenerys prepares to attack King's Landing, but faces complications and a descent into madness.

Tyrion and Varys grow disillusioned with Daenerys as Jon discloses his true identity as her deceased brother's son. Furthermore, her military strategy falls apart when Rhaegal is killed and Missandei is taken captive. Witnessing a decline in Daenerys' mental stability, she goes to the extreme of burning Varys alive and unleashing devastation upon King's Landing, ultimately earning her the title of the Mad Queen.

After emerging victorious in the Great War during episode 3 "The Long Night" of Game of Thrones season 8, Daenerys Targaryen and her allies prepare to seize King's Landing. However, her forces suffered heavy losses defending Winterfell and she mourns the death of her loyal companion, Ser Jorah Mormont. Despite this setback, she still possesses two formidable dragons, Rhaegal and Drogon, and Jon Snow's Northern troops pledge their support in claiming the Iron Throne. Yet, as they approach King's Landing, complications arise. Daenerys is disheartened by the absence of love and the prevalence of fear amongst the Westerosi people, causing her descent into insanity.

To exacerbate the situation, both Tyrion Lannister and Varys lose faith in Daenerys, and Jon reveals his true identity as the son of Daenerys's brother, Rhaegar Targaryen. Nevertheless, Daenerys refuses to relinquish her desire for power and the Iron Throne remains her ultimate goal. In episode 4, "The Last of the Starks," Daenerys convenes her war council, where Varys informs her that the sellsword group known as the Golden Company has arrived in King's Landing, effectively balancing the scales. Cersei, however, is gradually losing her allies, as Yara Greyjoy has taken control of the Iron Islands in Daenerys's name, and the new Prince of Dorne has pledged his allegiance to her cause. Tyrion and Jon advocate for the people of King's Landing, urging that they should not suffer in the conflict, emphasizing that Cersei is their true enemy. Jon proposes a strategy to isolate and besiege the city, repel the Lannisters and the sellswords if they attack, and prevent the Greyjoy fleet from transporting essential supplies. In contrast, Sansa argues that the Northmen require time to recover from their wounds, but Daenerys resists this idea. Finally, Jon intervenes and commits the Northern forces to fulfill their promise to the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Daenerys' Messiah Complex

In the episode "The Last of the Starks" in Game of Thrones, Jon and Ser Davos are seen riding down the Kingsroad accompanied by the soldiers from the North, Dothraki, and the Unsullied. Meanwhile, the Queen, along with her dragons and a small group, make their way to White Harbor and set sail for Dragonstone. Tyrion announces that Jaime Lannister will remain in the North and be a guest at Winterfell. However, Daenerys' war plans quickly crumble as Euron Greyjoy unexpectedly attacks her, causing Rhaegal to be shot down by Scorpion bolts and sink into the sea. While Daenerys must flee, Euron's fleet targets the Targaryen fleet and captures Missandei. Tyrion, Varys, Grey Worm, and the Unsullied swim ashore, but Cersei, in a fear-driven move, intends to use the commoners as human shields by keeping the castle gates open.

Cersei places Missandei in chains, intending to release her only if Daenerys agrees to surrender. Meanwhile, Varys advises his Queen against launching an attack on King's Landing with Drogon and her army, warning that it would result in the deaths of tens of thousands. However, Daenerys, who has already suffered numerous losses, seems determined to press forward, her belief in her role as a savior seeming to have intensified. As "The Last of the Starks" nears its conclusion, Jaime departs for King's Landing to be by Cersei's side. The last-ditch negotiations outside the gates of the city ultimately prove futile, leading Cersei to order the undead Mountain to execute Missandei by beheading her.

Daenerys' Mental State Deteriorates

In the opening of Game of Thrones season 8, episode 5 "The Bells," Jon arrives at Dragonstone and informs Varys of the Northern armies' crossing of the Trident. Daenerys' mental state is deteriorating, and she is on the verge of losing control. In a fit of anger, she burns Varys alive for his betrayal. She then instructs Grey Worm to prepare the Unsullied and set sail for King's Landing. Tyrion, however, suggests giving Cersei's followers an opportunity to make the right choice and halt the attack if the surrender bells ring.

Daenerys acknowledges Daenerys's instructions and directs Grey Worm to wait outside the city. Additionally, she imparts a warning to Tyrion regarding his brother Jaime's capture, emphasizing the importance of not disappointing her again. Seeking assistance, Tyrion approaches Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham's character in Game of Thrones) and requests a favor. He enters the tent where Jaime is being held captive and urges him to persuade Cersei to change her course of action. In an act of liberation, Tyrion releases Jaime and proposes that if Cersei decides to surrender, she should signal this by ringing the bells. Jaime pledges to make every effort, as Tyrion unveils his escape plan for both his brother and sister.

The Carnage In King's Landing

King's Landing is under attack, with Qyburn's Scorpions posing an even greater threat. Euron eagerly awaits Daenerys, hoping to eliminate the last remaining dragon. Infiltrating the city, Jaime discreetly sneaks in along with Arya and the Hound. Daenerys, soaring from the sun, skillfully maneuvers through scorpion bolts, decimating Euron's forces and obliterating his Ironborn vessel, known as the Silence. Forced to take the plunge into the sea, he narrowly escapes. Outside the city gates, the Golden Company confronts Daenerys' army. However, she swiftly disrupts the eerie silence as she and Drogon launch a surprise attack from behind, targeting Harry Strickland and his sellswords. With this, the battle commences. The combined Stark-Targaryen forces storm into the city, while Daenerys annihilates the Scorpions on the ramparts in "The Bells," an episode of Game of Thrones.

Qyburn implores Cersei to surrender, informing her of the destruction of the Iron Fleet. Despite this, Cersei remains hesitant as the Lannister soldiers surrender their weapons. Jon and Tyrion express relief, while cries for surrender echo from all corners. As the bells begin to ring, Daenerys succumbs to her Targaryen madness in Game of Thrones. Consumed by anger, she takes flight on Drogon, unleashing dragonfire throughout the city. In the chaos, Grey Worm kills the Lannister captain, as Jon struggles to restrain his own men.

The Northmen barely hold themselves back, fueled by the atrocities committed by House Lannister against the North. Buildings crumble, and outside the secret entrance to the Red Keep, Euron provokes Jaime into a fight. Although Jaime is ultimately able to kill Euron, he sustains multiple stab wounds. Meanwhile, Sandor confronts Gregor, and the two fall into a fiery pit below. Despite Jaime's efforts, he and Cersei are crushed to death. Drogon's flames ignite the remaining Wildfire caches in the city. Staying true to the House Words, Daenerys brings "Fire and Blood" to King's Landing in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones. She becomes the Mad Queen, the Queen of the Ashes, in the climactic battle to claim the Iron Throne.