The Sansa vs. Daenerys scene in Game of Thrones continues to spark debates about poor writing vs. powerful character development.

game of thrones season 8

The final season of Game of Thrones divided the fans on nearly every plot decision, and even today, the myriad of debates continue over certain scenes. The show featured many powerful female characters but they seldom got along, so the creators always had interesting dynamics to explore between them.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones I MaxNikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones | Max

As the show had already overtaken the novels, many viewers complained about how it lost its touch and authenticity, the clever dialog, and the impeccable build-up scenes. Naturally, the writers were criticized for most of their creative decisions, including the exchange between Daenerys Targaryen and Sansa Stark.

The Controversial Scene From Game of Thrones

jason-momoa-emilia-clarke-game-of-thronesJason Momoa and Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones / HBO

In a memorable scene from Game of Thrones season 8, Sansa Stark raises a logistical concern during a feast. The world is about to face the imminent threat of the Night King and his army of the dead, and Sansa questions how they are supposed to feed the massive army that marched behind Daenerys Targaryen.

May I ask how are we meant to feed the greatest army the world has ever seen? While I ensured our stores would last through winter, I didn’t account for Dothraki, Unsullied, and two full-grown dragons. What do dragons eat anyway?

To which Daenerys replies “Whatever they want,” only escalating the tension between the two and underscoring the difference in their perspectives. However, the scene has been criticized for its poor writing by netizens.

 

According to some passionate fans of the show, Sansa’s concerns are simply ungrateful. While some comment on the character’s stupidity, others slander the writers for dragging the show through the mud.

Opposing Perspectives of Game of Thrones Fans

Sophie TurnerSophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game Of Thrones (image credit: HBO)

On the other hand, some viewers believe that the scene was not a failure of writing but portrayed Sansa’s character development. For them, it was a realistic depiction of leadership under pressure. In earlier seasons, Sansa was naive and vulnerable and mostly overwhelmed by the politics around her.

However, she transforms into a pragmatic and cautious leader by season 8, reflecting on her harsh life experiences, and the lessons she learned while enduring them. Her concerns about food scarcity aren’t just about the dragons but the survival of Winterfell in extreme situations.

Moreover, the scene also highlights how Sansa grew out of her starry-eyed girl persona to a strategic thinker who cares about resource management under unprecedented stress. After suffering at the hands of Cersei Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon, and Ramsay Bolton, her approach to life is more cautious and calculated.

The debate over this scene of Game of Thrones only shows how complex it is to evaluate character motivations and narrative choices. Some believe that Sansa’s question was a result of poor writing while others saw it as a moment of character development, and none of these sides are in the wrong because art and creativity are meant to be subjective. Yet, fan wars are almost always entertaining!

You can stream Game of Thrones on Max.