Game Of Thrones Season 9 Would Need To Bring Back The Forgotten Character From Daenerys Story (They’d Make A Good Villain)

If HBO makes Game of Thrones season 9, then Daenerys Targaryen would need to be a big part of it in some capacity, and there are ways of doing that without bringing Emilia Clarke’s character back. Daenerys’ death in Game of Thrones‘ ending was extremely controversial, and even sparked theories that she could be resurrected, with Drogon flying her body to Volantis – the home of the Red Priestesses.

Rather than resurrect her, though, it’d be better for Game of Thrones season 9 to look at exploring the impact of her death in greater detail, and how different characters deal with it. That could include Jon Snow’s guilt and trauma over killing her, or Tyrion Lannister reflecting upon her legacy and his role in it. However, bringing back one left-behind member of Game of Thrones‘ cast, who was a big part of her story, could be another compelling choice if a ninth season ever happens.

Game Of Thrones Never Revealed What Happened To Daario After Daenerys Left Meereen

Daenerys Left Him Behind When She Headed To Westeros

Daario Naharis’ story ended in Game of Thrones season 6, when Daenerys finally set sail for Westeros. Knowing that she’d have to make a political marriage in order to help bolster her claim to the Iron Throne, and Tyrion Lannister – mostly wisely, though not without his own vested interests – makes her realize that taking a lover with her could be a detriment to that cause. Daario doesn’t like it, but he’s forced to stay behind and help keep the peace in Meereen along with the Second Sons, the sellsword company he leads.

DAARIO: I’m not angry. I’m full of self-pity. Who comes after you? Who can ever follow Daenerys Stormborn, the Mother of Dragons?

DAENERYS: A great number of women, I imagine. Specific orders will be left for you regarding the welfare of Meereen and the Bay of Dragons.

– Game of Thrones season 6, episode 10, “The Winds of Winter.”

What happens after that is never revealed. Does Daario succeed in keeping the peace in Meereen? It’s possible, given the groundwork laid by Dany and the presence of the Second Sons. At the same time, it’s no easy task: without the threat of dragons, it’s not outside the realm of possibility there was an uprising, or that slavery returned in some capacity.

It’s something George R.R. Martin could flesh out more when The Winds of Winter releases, if Daenerys eventually heads to Westeros in that book, as Daario (and Meereen) might be given a more detailed fate. But it’s also something that, if Game of Thrones season 9 were to happen, would be interesting to revisit on-screen too.

Daario Would Be An Interesting Villain For Game Of Thrones Season 9

Any Continuation Should Bring Him Back In Some Way

The question of what happened to Daario is on its own something that Game of Thrones season 9 could look to tie up, not least because he’s an unusual loose thread in Daenerys’ story. Her other close allies and advisors have known fates if not happy ones: Barristan Selmy, Jorah Mormont, and Missandei all end up dead, while Grey Worm sails for the isle of Naath in Game of Thrones‘ series finale. Daario is the biggest question, and it’s one worth answering.

More than that, though, is Daario’s response to Daenerys’ death. Presumably he’d find out about it eventually – it’d be surprising if the Queen of Meereen’s death never actually reached Meereen, and he’d surely have been invested in following what happened to her as much as possible. And if Daario does learn of her fate, then I have to think it would also prompt some kind of response.

After all, it wouldn’t be like him not to take action; we know he can act first, think later, and that he has no problem settling disputes by killing people. This is a person who helped Daenerys conquer Slaver’s Bay and who came to truly love her. Who told her: “F**k Meereen. F**k the people. I’m here for you, not them.”

He also just so happens to have a powerful sellsword company at his disposal. It’s not a stretch to imagine Daario setting sail across the narrow sea, looking for revenge on Jon Snow, Tyrion, Bran Stark, or anyone else he can find.

Jon Snow is beyond the Wall, so it’s harder to picture Daario tracking him down there, but taking the fight to King’s Landing – and Tyrion – would definitely be a possibility. He could be an interesting threat to the new regime, because he’s not just a total villain: we’d have a complete understanding of his actions and motivations, and he wouldn’t be entirely in the wrong.

Game of Thrones season 9 would need to find ways of challenging King Bran and the characters around him, and Daario may be one of the best options available. Importantly, this would also ensure it reckons with Daenerys’ legacy and more of the fallout from her death. It can’t – or shouldn’t – bring her back, but having her still driving the story, and there being more ramifications from what happened to her, would be a smart way of continuing things, and Daario is an obvious choice to do just that.