The episode titled “The Dance of Dragons” from Game of Thrones Season 5 delivers a brutal and breathtaking rollercoaster, embodying the series’ signature blend of devastating lows and soaring highs. This installment, directed by David Nutter (known for the infamous Red Wedding episode), lives up to its name by showcasing fiery confrontations and pivotal decisions that echo the Targaryen civil war, the historical “Dance of Dragons.” We delve into the heart-wrenching sacrifice in Stannis’s camp and the awe-inspiring spectacle of Daenerys Targaryen taking flight on Drogon, moments that redefine destiny and leave viewers reeling.
The Horror at Stannis’s Camp: A King’s Desperate Gamble
The narrative tension in Stannis Baratheon’s camp is palpable from the outset. A series of ominous signs foreshadow the horrific act to come. Melisandre’s flame gazing intensifies, revealing a vision of Ramsay’s devastating attack – a flaming horse serving as a stark symbol of their ruined supplies and dwindling hope. Stannis, cornered by the disastrous raid and relentless winter, convenes his grim council: Selyse and Melisandre. Their hushed conversation is heavy with foreboding, setting the stage for Stannis’s desperate decision.
Alt text: Melisandre gazes into fire, flames reflecting in her eyes, a premonition of the tragic sacrifice in Game of Thrones: The Dance of Dragons.
Stannis’s subsequent dismissal of Davos Seaworth under the pretense of seeking supplies is a thinly veiled maneuver. Davos, a man of unwavering loyalty but also strong moral compass, would never condone the sacrifice Melisandre envisions. Stannis ensures Davos’s absence, effectively removing the last voice of reason. His insistence that Selyse and Shireen remain further tightens the noose around Shireen’s fate. Stannis, in his isolated, snow-bound camp, mirrors a tragic figure descending into madness, much like Jack Torrance in The Shining, disabling any chance of escape or intervention.
Davos’s heartfelt goodbye to Shireen, gifting her a Baratheon stag, is laden with pathos. These tender Shireen moments, built throughout the season, serve to amplify the impending tragedy. Shireen’s innocent conversation with Stannis about a Targaryen civil war – a “dance of dragons” that ravaged the realm – is chillingly ironic. She recounts a tale of sibling rivalry and devastating war, unknowingly foreshadowing the destructive path Stannis is about to take.
Alt text: Davos presents Shireen with a Baratheon stag figurine, a symbol of affection contrasting with the dark events unfolding in Game of Thrones episode The Dance of Dragons.
Stannis’s chilling words to Shireen, “Sometimes a person has to choose… He must fulfill his destiny and become who he is meant to be—however much he may hate it,” are twisted justification for the unthinkable. Shireen’s desire to help her father unwittingly provides Stannis with the rationale he seeks. Even as the scene unfolds, a sliver of hope persists that some intervention will prevent the atrocity.
That hope is brutally extinguished. Shireen, led to her death, gradually comprehends the horror awaiting her. Her cries for her father as she’s bound to the pyre are heart-wrenching. Stannis and Selyse watch, embodying different shades of complicity and dawning regret. Selyse’s belated change of heart is a cruel twist, arriving too late to save her daughter. The screams, largely off-screen, amplify the horror, leaving a lasting scar on the viewer’s psyche.
The showrunners masterfully manipulate audience emotions. The earlier scene of Stannis and Shireen, lauded by viewers as a moment of paternal warmth, was a calculated deception. It lulled viewers into a false sense of security, making Shireen’s sacrifice all the more devastating. This narrative misdirection highlights the show’s genius in crafting complex characters and emotionally impactful twists. Stannis’s character arc, marked by rigid duty and chilling pragmatism, culminates in this horrific act, a shocking yet tragically logical outcome of his unwavering ambition and susceptibility to religious fanaticism.
Political Maneuvering in Dorne and Braavos
In Dorne, a veneer of civility masks underlying tensions. Prince Doran Martell, ever the pragmatist, hosts Jaime Lannister, Myrcella, and a seething Ellaria Sand. The Sand Snakes remain imprisoned, a detail easily missed but indicative of Doran’s controlled approach. Jaime’s awkward attempts at fatherly affection towards Myrcella and his justification for infiltrating Dorne highlight the cultural chasm between Westeros and Dorne.
Alt text: Doran Martell presides over a tense meeting with Jaime Lannister and a visibly angry Ellaria Sand in Sunspear, a scene from Game of Thrones The Dance of Dragons.
Doran’s astute questioning of Jaime reveals Ellaria’s transparent fury. Jaime’s default to forceful action instead of diplomacy underscores a key Lannister trait. Doran, in a surprising move, proposes a seemingly amicable resolution: Myrcella and Trystane return to King’s Landing, with Trystane gaining a council seat. This deal, while strategically sound, is unlikely to appease Cersei. The Dornish subplot, though divisive among fans, continues to develop its unique atmosphere and political intricacies, hinting at future conflicts and alliances.
Meanwhile in Braavos, Arya Stark persists in her Faceless Men training, initially focused on her assigned target. However, the sudden appearance of Ser Meryn Trant, a name on her kill list, throws her off course. Trant’s presence in Braavos, escorting Mace Tyrell, is another consequence of Cersei’s self-destructive political machinations. Arya’s pursuit of Trant into a brothel and her observation of his repulsive behavior ignite her vengeful impulses.
Alt text: Arya Stark watches Ser Meryn Trant from a distance in a Braavos street, her mission shifting towards personal vengeance in Game of Thrones episode The Dance of Dragons.
Arya’s return to the House of Black and White and her fabricated report to Jaqen H’ghar signal her deviation from the Faceless Men’s path. Her brief flirtation with oyster peddling offers a glimpse of an alternate, peaceful life, quickly overshadowed by her thirst for revenge. This Braavos segment highlights Arya’s internal conflict between her training and her ingrained Stark identity, setting the stage for a potential clash with the Faceless Men’s rigid code.
Wun Wun at the Wall and Chaos in Meereen
At Castle Black, Jon Snow’s return with the Wildlings is met with hostility and suspicion by Ser Alliser Thorne. Thorne’s resentment towards Jon and his prejudice against the Wildlings are palpable. His grudging acceptance of Jon and the Wildlings into Castle Black underscores the Night’s Watch’s precarious situation. Jon’s self-reproach for not saving more Wildlings reflects his compassionate leadership, contrasted by Thorne’s cynical pragmatism.
Thorne’s line, “You have a good heart, Jon Snow. It will get us all killed,” encapsulates their fundamental ideological clash. Thorne, a complex antagonist, acknowledges Jon’s virtues while highlighting the perceived dangers of his empathy in the harsh realities of Westeros. The arrival of Wun Wun, the giant, further emphasizes the unprecedented nature of Jon’s alliance and the anxieties it provokes within the Night’s Watch.
Alt text: The giant Wun Wun stands tall at the gate of Castle Black, entering with Jon Snow and the Wildling survivors in a dramatic scene from Game of Thrones The Dance of Dragons.
The episode jarringly transitions from Shireen’s screams to the roaring cheers of the Daznak’s Pit in Meereen. This juxtaposition, while initially unsettling, serves to amplify the emotional impact of both scenes. The fighting pit sequence, initially presented as a spectacle, quickly descends into chaos. Daenerys’s discomfort with the arena combat is evident, highlighting her struggle to reconcile her ideals with the realities of ruling Meereen.
The playful banter between Daenerys, Hizdahr, and Daario masks underlying tensions and power dynamics. Hizdahr’s philosophical justification of violence, “What great thing has ever been accomplished without killing or cruelty?” ironically mirrors Stannis’s pragmatic ruthlessness. Tyrion’s cutting remark to Hizdahr, “My father would have liked you,” is a damning indictment.
Jorah Mormont’s unexpected appearance in the fighting pit and his valiant combat performance shift the scene’s dynamics. Daario’s grudging respect for Jorah and Daenerys’s conflicted emotions add layers to their complex relationships. However, the spectacle abruptly transforms into a deadly trap as the Sons of the Harpy launch a coordinated attack.
Drogon’s Fiery Arrival: A Queen Reclaims Her Destiny
The Sons of the Harpy’s ambush throws the arena into pandemonium. The focus shifts from Jorah’s fight to the collective peril of Daenerys and her inner circle. The close-quarters combat and the palpable fear create intense suspense. The realization that Daenerys, Tyrion, Daario, Jorah, and Missandei – characters viewers deeply care about – are all in mortal danger elevates the stakes dramatically.
Alt text: Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Daario Naharis are cornered in the fighting pit by the masked Sons of the Harpy, facing imminent danger in Game of Thrones The Dance of Dragons.
Just as hope seems lost, Drogon’s roar shatters the tension. His dramatic entrance is a moment of pure catharsis. Drogon’s fiery onslaught against the Sons of the Harpy is both terrifying and exhilarating. Daenerys’s connection with Drogon is undeniable. Her fearless approach and Drogon’s seemingly protective behavior defy conventional expectations.
Alt text: Daenerys Targaryen mounts Drogon in the fighting pit, taking flight amidst the chaos and flames in a legendary scene from Game of Thrones The Dance of Dragons.
Daenerys mounting Drogon is a transformative moment. It’s the culmination of her Targaryen heritage and her journey towards embracing her destiny as a dragon rider. The stunned reactions of Tyrion and Daario mirror the audience’s awe. This scene, fulfilling a long-anticipated fantasy trope within the gritty realism of Game of Thrones, is a triumphant climax to a harrowing episode.
“The Dance of Dragons” episode masterfully juxtaposes profound tragedy with exhilarating triumph. Shireen’s horrific sacrifice and Daenerys’s dragon ride are two extremes of the emotional spectrum, delivered with masterful pacing and direction. The episode leaves viewers breathless, grappling with the moral complexities of Stannis’s choices and the awe-inspiring power of Daenerys’s dragon bond, setting the stage for a tumultuous season finale.
Further Reading:
- Interview with Thrones showrunner Dan Weiss analyzing the Stannis scene
- Thrones team talks about that epic fighting pit scene
