Daenerys Targaryen’s death is one of Game of Thrones‘ most controversial moments, but there were signs it was coming. Dany turning into a villain – the so-called “Mad Queen” – is one of the biggest reasons Game of Thrones‘ ending sparked such a backlash, given she’d once been among the show’s greatest heroes. While that was always going to be a controversial idea no matter how it happened, the show certainly could’ve done more to set it up – but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any grounding for it.

There are various points across the show’s timeline that can be used as evidence, at least with the benefit of hindsight, as to the fact that Daenerys would burn King’s Landing. That ranges from her killing the slavers, to burning the Tarlys, to a repeated desire to take what is hers with “fire and blood.” And, similarly, there are signs that point to Daenerys’ death at the hands of Jon Snow too, including a couple of very significant moments in season 5.

Daenerys Targaryen’s Parallels With Stannis Baratheon Pointed To Her Death

The Two Characters Have A Lot Of Similarities

Daenerys’ paths never crossed with Stannis Baratheon, but if anyone in the story works as an indicator of her arc, it’s him. George R.R. Martin, and subsequently Game of Thrones, likes to use character parallels, as well as examples of history repeating itself and cycles continuing. Jon Snow reflects Ned Stark (and Maester Aemon) regarding honor and duty, Robb Stark and Renly Baratheon are charismatic but naive leaders whose bids for power end in tragedy, Arya Stark mirrors The Hound’s drive for vengeance, and so on.

These play out in myriad ways, but one of the biggest is between Stannis and Daenerys. In many ways, his arc feels like foreshadowing – or forewarning – of what will happen to Dany, with various similarities between them and their storylines:

Both believe themselves to be the rightful rulers of Westeros.
While each has noble intentions, they come to be more swayed that they have a divine right to the Iron Throne; that it is their destiny.
Both ruled from Dragonstone.
Neither is welcomed nor beloved by the people of Westeros: Stannis is seen as cold and harsh, while Dany is an outsider.
Both have their attention diverted to the threat of the White Walkers.
Both increasingly make difficult, questionable choices on their path to trying to take the Iron Throne.
Both burn people as a means to an end, justifying it as a necessary sacrifice: Stannis has his own daughter, Shireen, burned alive; Daenerys destroys King’s Landing with Drogon’s fire.
Both were killed by a noble warrior who was doing what they considered their duty.

In the books, this goes even further. Stannis has been convinced by Melisandre that he is the prophesied hero, Azor Ahai, who will save the world from darkness. It’s likely Dany will increasingly be driven by similar prophecies, notably The Prince That Was Promised. This further adds to their shared sense of destiny and divinity, and highlights Martin’s themes of how destiny, prophecy, and power can corrupt a person.

Since Stannis died, it suggested that was the same fate lying in wait for Daenerys, were she unable to turn away from that same path.

Those ideas weren’t quite as fleshed out in Game of Thrones, which didn’t explore the prophecies much, but the parallels do still exist. And since Stannis died, it suggested that was the same fate lying in wait for Daenerys, were she unable to turn away from that same path. Which, given the destruction of Westeros’ capital, she clearly wasn’t.

Another Game Of Thrones Season 5 Finale Death Made Daenerys’ Fate Likely

Only One Of Thrones’ Two Biggest Characters Was Likely To Survive

Ultimately, Game of Thrones is Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen’s story. That’s obviously a total simplification, but if you boil it down to who the main characters are, it’s those two above all else. They’re the great heroes, the final romance, the ice and the fire. And with Thrones being a show where so many people can and do die, and it being a subversion of many post-Lord of the Rings fantasy stories, it would be somewhat unreasonable – and, indeed, almost stretching the point of credulity – for both of them to survive and receive happy endings (or even bittersweet ones).

So, if only one of them could survive, who is it going to be? I’d argue it was always more likely to be Jon Snow, because he’s the bastard, because he’s the secret son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, and because he is, on balance, arguably the truest hero. But if anything cemented that, it was Jon’s death in Game of Thrones season 5. At that point, it was obvious he’d return. And it would be pointless to kill Jon, resurrect him, and then bring him back again. Unfortunately, that left Daenerys to die, and while there were various reasons for that, the signs were there back in 2015.