By The penultimate episode of the final season of Game of Thrones left few standing in Daenerys' thirst for destruction. While many feel it was a move out of character for the compassionate leader she had been thus far, show-runners David Benioff and D. B Weiss, and episode director Miguel Sapochnik, think you should have seen it coming.
In a new behind the scenes video they address how the episode turned from achieving the seemingly impossible feat of a "bloodless coup" to the war the ensued anyway. "She feels empty, it wasn't what she thought it was, it's not enough," Sapochnik says about the emotions that she feels while surveying the city and the prospect of peace.
"It's in that moment that she makes the decision to make this personal," adds D. B Weiss on her decision to take what is hers with fire and blood, as she had long promised. Sapochnik, who also directed the 'Battle of the Bastards' and record-breaking battle episode 'The Long Night', says that this moment is addressing the audience and saying, "You wanted a battle, well here you go."
The video also explains how they went about filming the destruction we see in episode 5 as the city is scorched and crushed. They weren't able to use the original King's Landing location of Dubrovnik in Croatia (as Benioff helpfully explains, "they don't want us to, you know, burn it down") so instead they built a backlot with a set replicating a huge area of the city.
They created a 'king of all sets', with streets and buildings all meticulously designed, as well as plans for how they would look after the destruction. "They've built Croatia," says actress Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister. "And not like a street, they've built seventeen streets and alleys."
So vast was the set that was constructed that it drew the attention of paparazzi
and drones who were desperately trying to get a look in. As a result they built a five-high wall of shipping containers to stop outsiders getting a look in.
The video also explores Tyrion's decision to betray Lord Varys, ultimately leading to his death. "He has to betray somebody, right?" Benioff says. "It's a choice between betraying your best friend or your Queen and he chooses to remain loyal to his Queen."
Even if Daenerys can justify the death she caused, judging by Tyrion's look as he watches on, it doesn't appear he think's he made the right choice.
