Why Dany's dragons need to die for 'Game of Thrones' to end well

When Daenerys Targaryen emerged from the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo with three baby dragons in the Season 1 finale of Game of Thrones, it was clear that the game had changed. History had relegated dragons to icons of the past, terrifying relics of a dynasty long gone and a magic that no longer existed. Over the course of the series Dany and her dragons have only become more powerful, but now that the series finale looms it’s starting to seem like the only way this story ends is with all of Daenerys’ flappy little fire-children dead.

Even as one dragon has fallen to the Night King (and then fallen to Arya, who felled the Night King), Dany’s two remaining dragons are dramatically overpowered. They’re amazing allies to have in a war, but regardless of how the dust settles on Westeros there’s historical precedent that shows the world is nearly always better off without dragons. In fact, the two times dragons have previously died out have served as turning points for social chance, and their deaths always force a reset on political power. Read more...