Let’s Face It, Game Of Thrones Season 9 Would Still Revolve Around Daenerys

The possibility of Game of Thrones season 9 has been discussed since the show’s controversial ending, but the harsh truth is that another outing would just continue to revolve around Daenerys Targaryen. Although the HBO series features a large and complex cast of characters, Daenerys and Jon Snow are at the center of its two major storylines.

Fittingly, they’re also the focus of Game of Thrones‘ series finale, which sees Jon choosing his duty to the realm over his love for his queen — and killing Daenerys as a result. This is one of many elements of the show’s ending that feels a bit rushed.

And with Bran becoming king, Jon venturing beyond the Wall, and the Stark sisters beginning their own journeys, there are a number of storylines that could be elaborated on in Game of Thrones season 9 or a sequel series. The tabled Jon Snow spinoff is one example of how this could work. However, ultimately, any continuation of Game of Thrones would still be about Dany, at least initially.

If Game Of Thrones Season 9 Happened, It Would Still Revolve Around Daenerys Targaryen

Her Presence Would Loom Over Any Extension Of The Show

Even if it eventually started a new story, Game of Thrones season 9 would need to spend its earliest episodes tying up loose ends from the series finale. Daenerys’ death is the biggest of these, with some viewers even theorizing that Drogon took her body to be resurrected in Volantis.

To be fair, we don’t get any insight into what Drogon intends to do with his mother’s body — or what he’s up to after “The Iron Throne,” aside from the direction he’s headed in. These things would need to be addressed in Game of Thrones season 9, and whether Dany is brought back or not, that would make her a focal point.

Additionally, Daenerys’ arc from Game of Thrones’ first eight seasons would undoubtedly have a major impact on the other characters’ journeys. Jon, in particular, would need to work through the guilt and grief of killing her. But even Bran and Tyrion would need to grapple with the impact of Dany’s “Mad Queen” turn on the realm.

With the aftermath of Daenerys’ assault on King’s Landing looming over Westeros, she’d still be a major presence in Game of Thrones season 9 — even if she’s not physically there. A hypothetical next outing would be forced to center her as it answers questions that lead back to the dragon queen.

Game Of Thrones’ Ending Leaves Too Many Questions About The Aftermath Of Dany’s Death

These Would Need To Be Tied Up Before A New Story Could Unfold

The desire to speculate about what happens after Dany’s death stems from the fact that Game of Thrones leaves too many questions surrounding it. Indeed, when the prospect of season 9 comes up, many of the first thoughts relate to Dany and her ending in some capacity.

Details like what comes next for Drogon and the realm stem directly from it, but there are other things to consider. Thanks to House of the Dragon, House Targaryen plays a huge role in HBO’s extended universe. This means there’d need to be a reckoning with how Dany’s actions affect their legacy — and a clearer explanation of how she connects to the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy.

There’s also the question of what happens to Slaver’s Bay, along with characters like Daario Naharis and Grey Worm, after her death. That, in itself, would make a fascinating Game of Thrones sequel series. But that’s the thing: while Dany will remain prominent regardless, it’d feel more natural and compelling in a separate project rather than a ninth season.

This Harsh Reality Is Why Season 9 Shouldn’t Happen

A Separate Game Of Thrones Sequel Series Would Be Better

Unfortunately, the revelation that Game of Thrones season 9 would continue to center Daenerys makes a good argument for keeping the series as-is. Although it can be interesting to see the aftermath of major events in such expansive stories, another outing would likely retread familiar territory and feel too wrapped up in the past.

While the effects of Daenerys’ character arc will be impossible for any story set post-Game of Thrones to ignore, more immediate responses to her fate should have been covered in season 8 — and digging further into Jon’s guilt or the realm’s reaction wouldn’t be enough to drive a new story in season 9. The time for such reflections has passed.

If HBO wants to address some of the larger consequences of Dany’s fate, it should do so through a sequel show that answers those questions without being closely connected to Game of Thrones. For example, a project set further in the future or focusing on “what’s west of Westeros” could still tell us about the state of the world after her fall. It would just feel fresh while doing it.

This is arguably the best approach for any continuation of Game of Thrones, as most of the narratives from the original show feel complete. Even if they don’t end how many viewers had hoped, they don’t leave a ton of room to expand on these characters in a ninth outing. The few exceptions to this would benefit from time jumps and their own dedicated series instead.