George R.R. Martin originally did not plan to have dragons in Game of Thrones, even wanting the Targaryens to have an incredible yet ridiculous powers.
Dragons play a huge role in Game of Thrones—they are the symbol of power and control for the Targaryen bloodline, and anyone who possesses or claims these fire-breathing creatures is feared or respected. Surprisingly, the early drafts of A Song of Ice and Fire had no dragons in it.
George R.R. Martin did not think about bringing these mystical beasts into his fantasy lore. He had a different vision for the Targaryens which, in retrospect, would have been underwhelming and ridiculous, and the franchise might not be as successful as it is today.
Game of Thrones almost had no dragons, according to George R.R. Martin
We’ve seen a lot of movies and shows with dragons in them, but nothing as grand and iconic as Game of Thrones. The feral beasts in the show earned a proper spotlight, which is why even fans know them by their size, color, and personality.
Speaking with Kevin Smith on Smodcastle Cinemas, George R.R. Martin shared he initially did not include dragons in his novel series. He said that the Targaryens would only be identified as dragons, which could be seen on their house’s sigil, and they would have some sort of an ability to generate and manipulate fire.
Maybe the Targaryens had some kind of psionic power. They were like pyromancers and they could manifest blasts of flame mentally like in Firestarter or something like that, and that’s why they were identified with dragons but there would be no literal dragons.
It’s hard to imagine Game of Thrones without Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons. After all, the existence of these creatures is what sets the show apart from other medieval fantasy series. Dragons may be a symbol of power and glory, but they also pose socio-economic threats to Westeros due to their perilous nature.
Without any complications, the continent will be a utopia. There had been instances when the smallfolk were dying of hunger because there wasn’t any food production, and sheep meats were delivered only to feed the dragons. There was also a scene where Drogon killed the child of a goatherd, perhaps seeing her as just another meat, and instilling fear among the residents.
The presence of dragons created issues in Westeros, which makes it feel more grounded than any other fantasy series out there.
Why Targaryens should not have superpowers
Martin’s initial plan to exclude dragons and give Targaryens the ability to wield fire would have implications for the story. Magic and superpowers are important elements in Game of Thrones, but they are very rare and not quite prevalent. Oftentimes, they are granted through rituals involving higher beings.
If the Targaryens became some sort of fire-bending people or those who can use telekinetic powers, it would end up repeating what other medieval fantasy series have done over the years. It’s a good thing Martin changed his mind—now we’ve got some of the most beloved and iconic dragons ever created in the history of television!
