'Game of Thrones' Theory: Will Daenerys' New Ally Betray Her?

ellaria
HBO

Updated | Last Sunday's Game of Thrones episode worked as a well-executed set-up for the allegiances we'll be seeing in the show's final act. Jon Snow and Sansa Stark have banded with the various families of the North; Queen Cersei is making the moves on heartthrob/failed Killers member (depending on your take) Euron Greyjoy; and Daenerys Targaryen has finally sailed to Westeros with a squad of strategizing misfits.

Besides the Dothraki, the Tyrells, and a faction of Greyjoys led by siblings Theon and Yara, Daenerys has also allied with Ellaria Sand, former paramour of Oberyn Martell and arguably the Lannisters' #1 nemesis (which is saying A LOT). In a preview for episode 2, we see her standing around the stone table at Dragonstone with Dany, Yara, and Tyrion Lannister.

ellaria
Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, Yara Greyjoy, and Ellaria Sand in the Season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones. HBO

Which presents an obvious problem. How does Ellaria feel about Dany naming Tyrion as Hand of the Queen? Has she forgiven him for indirectly causing the death of Oberyn? (Oberyn was brutally killed defending Tyrion against Gregor Clegane, in a trial by combat.) Is she aware that Tyrion killed his father and has basically been disowned by the surviving members of his family? Even if she does know, is her hatred for the Lannisters so deep that she won't care and will want to see him dead anyway? And what about Tyrion finding out that Ellaria orchestrated the death of Myrcella, his niece, whom Tyrion had no noticeable qualms with and actually seemed pretty fond of?

This troubled alliance will likely play out in the episodes to come. We also can't forget the Tyrells' own hatred of the Lannisters, and how that'll affect their willingness to help Dany and, indirectly, her right-hand man.

This article originally misstated that the image embedded in the article was from episode 1. It appeared in a preview for episode 2.

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