Why Daenerys is immune to fire when other Targaryens are not and how Game of Thrones changed the books

“The Unburnt” is one of many titles that Daenerys Targaryen holds Game of Thrones (And George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire also books). However, unlike, for example, Khaleesi or Breaker of Chains, this is not a symbol of political power or action, but a more supernatural or magical ability: being fireproof. Daenerys emerges from Hal Drago’s funeral pyre with three baby dragons inside Game of Thrones Season 1, episode 1, “Fire and Blood,” and is, somehow, unscheduled.

This feat was repeated a couple of times over Game of Thrones‘ Timeline. In season 2, episode 10, “Valar Morghulis,” Daenerys stands in the House of the Undying, surrounded by dragonfire. In season 6, episode 4, “Book of the Stranger,” it’s even more open, like She burns her neck and stands inside a building on fireCame out again without a mark. It helps make Daenerys one of Game of Thrones‘ Most powerful characters, but the show doesn’t explain the real reason for it, and makes a change from the books in the process.

Daenerys being immune to fire in Game of Thrones explained

This ability is seemingly linked to Bloodmagic and her dragons

Game of Thrones didn’t explain how Daenerys became immune to fire, nor, crucially, did it explain when it happened. The latter is particularly important for addressing the former, as there are clues and significant moments that would help explain it. If Daenerys only truly became immune to fire (rather than an unusually high tolerance for heat) with the events surrounding Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre, the magic contained within would be an obvious means of giving her fire immunity.

The pyre involved two types of magic that would be quite suitable for giving a Targaryen powers: fire and blood. This is what all magic in Old Valyria stemmed from – quite possibly being involved in things like Valyrian steel and even the creation of dragons themselves – and so it makes sense for them to be present here.

The Bloodmagic comes with the ritualistic sacrifice Danny makes of Mirri Maz Duur (a practitioner of Bloodmagic herself), along with her horse and, of course, Drogo’s own body (which, as a hull, can Technically count as king’s blood). Then there is the raging fire itself, combining with the other magic to not only wake dragons from stone, but, perhaps, give Daenerys immunity to fire.

However, there are things that work against this idea: namely the instances where Danny seemed impervious to feeling heat. Keeping the dragon egg off the brazier, or stepping into a scalding hot bath as if it were only lukewarm, suggests that she may have been immune to fire before (though Targaryens are more heat resistant). If so, this would be another supernatural ability; A divine, apparently unique talent, with which she was born.

Of course, there are simpler reasons when stepping out of the narrative. for one, It is much easier for Game of Thrones To just have Daenerys prove herself, rather than explain why she didn’t later On. And two, it adds to her mythical status, power, and thus her own belief in her future.

Daenerys controls her three dragons differently than other Targaryens, with a seemingly greater bond and an ability to dictate anything to the riderless Rhaegal and Viserion, not just dragons. This is because she is the mother of dragons and speaks to Luke’s situation with her on the side, but this alone could also come from the same magic that made her fireproof, and the two things could be connected.

Daenerys Targaryen is not fireproof in A Song of Ice and Fire

George RR Martin has made it clear that this is not the case

in the A Song of Ice and Fire Daenerys emerges from Hal Drago’s funeral pyre in much the same way as she does in the show. That is, relatively unscathed and carrying three baby dragons, leading to the sobriquet “The Unburnt.” however, Dany is technically burned in the novel: her hair was scorched by the flamesleaving her bald. of course, Game of Thrones Did not want a bald Emilia Clarke, and so skipped over the part, further improving her fireproof abilities.

Other scenes, like her holding the hot snake egg, are not in the book either. Dany may be able to tolerate heat more than your average Westerosi, however Martin has said several times over the years she is not supposed to be immune to fireEven as far back on a web chat on EventHorizon.com Back in 1999:

Granny: Do Targaryens become immune to fire once they “bond” to their dragons?

George_RR_Martin: Grandma, thanks for asking that. It gives me an opportunity to clear up a common misconception. Targaryens are not immune to fire! The birth of Danny’s Dragons was uniqueMagical, wonderful, a miracle. She is called the unburned because she entered the flames and lived. But her brother sure as hell isn’t immune to that melting gold.

Rabanshe: She won’t be able to do that again?

George_RR_Martin: Probably not.

Of course, time may have changed things, and the books may eventually decide to have Danny be fireproof, but it seems unlikely and would go against the current evidence. in A dance with dragonsDaenerys is in the fighting pit with Dragon, and does feel the heat of his flames. Later, when she examines her wounds, she thinks:

“Her skin was pink and tender, and a pale milky liquid oozed from her cracked palms, but her burns were healing.”

Since Daenerys ends the book with Dragon, she can’t have the same encounter with the Khals she has in Game of Thrones Anyway when The winds of winter releases. Regardless, given what Martin has not only said, but repeatedly shown with other Targaryens as well, it would be a big surprise if he followed the TV series in this regard (outside of another magical ritual). Book Daenerys is many things and will become many more, but Fireproof probably won’t be one of them.

Daenerys being fireproof goes against Game of Thrones’ approach to fantasy

Game of Thrones usually toned down the magical elements

generally speaking, Game of Thrones Toned down the already low-magic world of A Song of Ice and Fire. It was a fantasy show, but for something with the elevator pitch of “The Sopranos meets Lord of the Rings,” the showrunners are typically more interested in the former of the two properties, focusing on the family drama, The machinations, betrayals, and so on.

There was clearly a love for the Dragons, to be sure, but more from the standpoint of delivering an epic spectacle than anything else. Other elements of fantasy and magic, such as the direwolves, most of the Starks being wargs, mysterious characters such as Coldhands, and objects such as glass candles and the horn of winter, are significantly downplayed or omitted. Which makes the decision to have Daenerys prove herself all the more interesting.

This is a rare example of Game of Thrones Taking a magical element from A Song of Ice and Fire And turn it up to 11Rather than dialing it down. But, again, I think the reason for this is Not Because of being interested in the magic/fantasy of it all, but rather the simple plot convenience, the added spectacle for scenes such as burning the hulls, and the impressive power it lends Daenerys as a character.

House of the Dragon proves that other Targaryens are not immune to fire

Westeros history also makes this very clear

Game of Thrones It is suggested that other Targaryens are not fireproof: Jon Snow burns his hand when saving Jeor Mormont from a distance, and Viserys Targaryen is killed by the molten gold poured over his head. But if that’s not enough – since Jon is only half-Targaryen and Viserys’ death was not literally fire – there are other examples from elsewhere that prove that Targaryens are not immune to fire. House of the DragonFor example, immediately display this on-screen:

1. Aemma Arryn’s body is burned on a funeral pyre.

2. Laena Velarion was killed by Vagar’s dragonfire.

3. Aegon II Targaryen was severely burned and wounded by Vagar’s fire as well, at the behest of Aemond Targaryen.

Again, they’re all half-Targaryens rather than direct products of Targaryen incest (though Laena is pure Valyrian), but the pattern is pretty clear: Targaryens aren’t fireproof, and we’re not supposed to think they are.

Martin himself was pretty clear about this in terms of Westeros history. Another prime example is the tragedy at Summerhall, a disaster for House Targaryen that killed several members in their summer house. What caused the inferno is not fully known, but it is believed to have involved pyromancers, wildfire and an attempt to hatch dragon eggs. Similar circumstances to Daenerys, and yet both King Aegon V Targaryen and his son, Duncan, were killed. There is also the case of Aerion Targaryen, who died from drinking wildfire.

Time and time again, whether in the books or the show, it has been made clear that Tagariens are not fireproof, and what happened to Daenerys was in Game of ThronesA magical fall (whether from her own birth or the birth of her dragons), and a complete one-off in A Song of Ice and Fire.