Strategic Insights: Why Euron Greyjoy’s Fleet Targeted Daenerys Targaryen’s Rather Than the Unsullied

In the world of Game of Thrones, the intricate landscape of power and strategy necessitates careful analysis. One of the pivotal moments in the series is when Euron Greyjoy's fleet seizes control of Daenerys Targaryen's naval forces during the climactic battles. The strategic choice to target Daenerys' fleet rather than directly attacking the Unsullied is rich with historical and narrative context, making it a fascinating subject for exploration.

Strategic Focus: Disrupting Naval Power and Supply Lines

The primary objective of Euron's fleet was to disrupt Daenerys Targaryen's naval power and supply lines. By targeting her ships, Euron aimed to weaken her overall military capability, making it harder for her to transport troops and supplies. This strategic move was designed to strike at the heart of Daenerys' logistical operations, thus undermining her ability to wage a prolonged war.

Surprise Attack: Maximum Impact

The attack by Euron's fleet was swift and unexpected, allowing for a concentrated strike that could achieve maximum impact quickly. The focus on Daenerys' ships allowed for a focused and intensive effort, as opposed to dispersing resources between multiple targets. This surprise tactic not only caught Daenerys' forces off guard but also demonstrated Euron's tactical acumen in choosing the most vulnerable point of her defense.

Tactical Advantage: Engaging Ships

Tactically, the Unsullied were on land and not immediately threatened by a naval attack. Euron’s fleet was designed to engage ships, and the battle fought at sea provided a natural arena for their strengths. Engaging the Unsullied would have required a different strategy, potentially leaving his fleet vulnerable to retaliation. By focusing on Daenerys' fleet, Euron minimized the risks to his navy while maximizing their effectiveness.

Psychological Warfare: Instilling Fear and Uncertainty

Psychologically, the destruction of Daenerys' fleet had a profound impact on her forces. By instilling fear and uncertainty, Euron aimed to demoralize her troops and potentially create divisions within her ranks. This mental warfare was a critical component of his strategy, as it undermined Daenerys' influence and leadership among her loyalists.

Narrative Focus: Heightening the Stakes

From a storytelling perspective, the destruction of Daenerys' fleet served to heighten the stakes of the conflict. This event set the stage for subsequent battles, emphasizing Daenerys' vulnerabilities as a leader. The symbolic and narrative impact of this decision was not lost on the viewer, as it paved the way for the complex conflicts that followed.

Further In-Universe Reasoning

The Ironborn are renowned seafarers and warriors. They are particularly skilled in naval battles but lack proficiency in land warfare. Given their expertise, Euron's choice to stick to attacking ships and engaging from open water made perfect sense. The ironborn would fare poorly against Unsullied troops on land, which are highly trained and formidable.

The primary goal of Euron's attack was not just to destroy a fleet but to kill one or both of Daenerys' dragons. The destruction of her transport fleet served as a strategic callback to a historical event, paralleling how the conquistador Hernán Cortés burned his ships to prevent desertion. For Euron, this move was a means to ensure Daenerys would be trapped with her dragons, making her more vulnerable to his strategic maneuvers.

Showrunners' Vision

The showrunners had a specific narrative objective in mind. The Unsullied had to survive to fulfill their roles in the upcoming episode. Their survival was crucial for priming the rest of the Unsullied and the Dothraki to commit the mass slaughter of King's Landing civilians. This decision to focus on Daenerys' fleet rather than the Unsullied was a strategic move to ensure plot continuity and to advance the overarching narrative arc of the series.

In conclusion, the strategic and narrative choices made by Euron Greyjoy to target Daenerys Targaryen's fleet reflect a complex interplay of military thinking and narrative development. The decision was made to achieve several objectives, including disrupting naval power, instilling fear, and setting the stage for subsequent events. This analysis offers insight into the intricate layers of strategy in Game of Thrones.