Game of Thrones: Should Daenerys have shown any compassion for executing the Tarly men?

Game of Thrones returned on Sunday and Sam found out what had happened to his brother and father. Daenerys was right showing no compassion for the executions and here’s why.

In case you missed the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere, I’ll start by stating that there are spoilers in this post. Happy?

Okay, let’s move on. During the premiere, Daenerys found out that Samwell is a Tarly and immediately realized his connection to two certain Tarlys she met on the battlefield. It didn’t take long for Sam to find out exactly what had happened to his family, but Dany didn’t bat an eyelid while telling him. There was no remorse, and really I support her all the way.

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Let’s be honest; Daenerys couldn’t possibly show remorse or regret. She’s queen and she needs to stand behind her actions. One ounce of weakness and there would be a door open for someone to take the throne off her.

Just showing a sign of regret would have led to someone claiming that it was all because she is a woman. Even now, there’s the opinion that women can’t rule because they’re too emotional. Yet, it’s damned if they do and damned if they don’t show emotion. Had it been a man, there’s no way he would have come under fire for a lack of emotion.

Plus, Daenerys doesn’t regret her actions. Why show remorse or regret when they’re not her feelings? She gave both Tarly men a choice. They either bent the knee or they were executed and they chose the wrong side, just like many others who had come before her. Dany didn’t become a revered Khaleesi because of her kindness and her second chances!

Would Jon had done the same as Dany? That’s a question Sam asks, knowing that the answer would be no. Well, that’s what he would hope. We’ve seen Jon take action when he’s needed to. He executed Ollie, Ser Allister, and many others for killing him. He’s not given second chances in the past and he’s not shown regret because he couldn’t.

This is the exact same situation. People die in war. They’re executed when they find themselves on the wrong side. Daenerys couldn’t show remorse for her actions knowing that it would make her look weak. As a queen, she’s not looking to make friends but make it clear that if people cross her and lose, she won’t offer a second chance. That’s the best way to avoid rebellions, especially when in the North surrounded by people who aren’t happy that Jon has bent the knee.

I actually have plenty of respect for her decision to actually tell Sam the truth. She could have just avoided the whole conversation, left it up to someone else to tell him what had happened to his family. That would have made Sam hate her even more. Instead, she owned her decisions, proving herself to be a Khaleesi.

What did you think about Daenerys’ lack of remorse? Did you understand why she needed to show a lack of compassion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Game of Thrones airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.