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Game of Thrones, Episode 1: Winter is Coming

Viserys Targaryen’s Role in the Episode

Viserys Targaryen’s role in this episode is to establish his ruthless ambition, entitlement, and abusive nature, particularly in how he treats his sister, Daenerys. He sees her as a tool to regain the Iron Throne rather than as a person, and his behavior foreshadows his eventual downfall.

1. Establishing His Obsession with Power

  • From his first scene, Viserys makes it clear that his sole focus is reclaiming the Iron Throne, which he believes is his birthright.
  • He constantly reminds Daenerys of her duty to help him secure an army, viewing her not as family, but as a bargaining chip.
  • His conversation with Illyrio Mopatis reinforces his impatience and lack of political foresight, as he disregards the complexities of Dothraki culture.

2. Abusive Relationship with Daenerys

  • Viserys is physically and emotionally abusive toward Daenerys.
  • He undresses her without her consent, humiliating her as he assesses her body like an object meant to please Khal Drogo.
  • His line, “You don’t want to wake the dragon, do you?” suggests a history of violence, indicating that he has likely hurt her before.

3. Arranging the Marriage with Khal Drogo

  • He celebrates the arranged marriage as a means to obtain an army, showing no regard for Daenerys’ fear or well-being.
  • His dismissive response to her concerns—“I would let his whole tribe fuck you… all 40,000 men and their horses too if that’s what it took”—is one of the most disturbing lines in the episode, showing his complete disregard for her as a human being.
  • He underestimates Khal Drogo and the Dothraki, believing he can manipulate Drogo easily, a fatal misjudgment that will come back to haunt him.

4. Foreshadowing His Downfall

  • Viserys’ arrogance and delusions of grandeur make it clear that he is not fit to rule, even if he were to regain the throne.
  • His belief that he can control Drogo and the Dothraki is already proving to be flawed, as Drogo makes no verbal commitment to him.
  • The episode paints Viserys as a villain, but also a pathetic and desperate figure, hinting that his obsession with power will eventually destroy him.

Impact Rating: 8.0/10

  • Strong Character Establishment – The episode successfully sets up Viserys as an arrogant, cruel, and power-hungry character whose impatience and entitlement make him dangerous.
  • Key Foreshadowing – His failure to understand the Dothraki and his mistreatment of Daenerys foreshadow his inevitable downfall.
  • Central to Daenerys’ Arc – His abuse and exploitation of Daenerys serve as a critical catalyst for her eventual transformation into a leader.
  • No Immediate Power – Unlike characters such as Robert, Eddard, or Cersei, Viserys has no real authority at this stage, making him more of a desperate schemer than an active player.
  • Lack of Direct Influence on Events – His plans are entirely dependent on Khal Drogo, and he does not take any real action in this episode beyond arranging Daenerys’ marriage.

Final Score: 8.0/10 - Viserys’ role in this episode is pivotal to the Targaryen storyline, even though he is not a major political force. His cruelty, arrogance, and ambition set the stage for his eventual failure, while his mistreatment of Daenerys pushes her towards her journey of empowerment.