Why People Blame Sansa for Daenerys' Decision to Burn King's Landing

The blame directed at Sansa Stark for Daenerys Targaryen's decision to burn King's Landing primarily stems from the narrative dynamics and character interactions in the final season of Game of Thrones. This article explores the reasons behind this backlash, focusing on political rivalry, manipulation and misinformation, character development, and blame and responsibility.

Political Rivalry

Sansa's growing ambition and desire for independence for the North put her at odds with Daenerys. As Sansa sought to assert her authority and protect her people, this created tension between her and Daenerys, who viewed Sansa's actions as a challenge to her rule.

Character Growth: Sansa's character arc throughout the series emphasizes her growth into a shrewd political player. Some fans interpret her actions as self-serving, which they argue indirectly contributed to the chaos leading up to Daenerys' drastic decision.

Manipulation and Misinformation

Sansa's conversations with Tyrion Lannister and others may have contributed to a perception that Daenerys was becoming increasingly dangerous. Sansa's skepticism about Daenerys' intentions and her encouragement of dissent among the Northern lords may have influenced the overall political climate.

Character Development

Maneuvers and diplomatic moves by Sansa, such as her interactions with other key characters like Lord Baelish and Tyrion, are often seen as contributing factors to Daenerys' eventual decision. These actions, while praised in their own right, are sometimes viewed as leading to the horrific consequences of burning King's Landing.

Blame and Responsibility

In the aftermath of the destruction of King's Landing, audiences often seek to assign blame for such catastrophic events. Sansa, as a prominent leader in the North, became a target for some viewers who felt she should have done more to support Daenerys or mitigate the conflict. This blame is often more reflective of audience frustration with the season's direction than her actual responsibility for Daenerys' choices.

Fan Reactions

The final season of Game of Thrones received mixed reactions from fans, particularly regarding character motivations and plot resolutions. This dissatisfaction led some to scapegoat characters like Sansa for perceived narrative failures rather than addressing the broader storytelling issues.

Thus, the blame placed on Sansa is a complex mix of audience perception, character development, and the broader narrative of the show. While her actions played a role in the political landscape of Westeros, the blame she receives is often more reflective of the audience's frustration with the season's direction than her direct responsibility for Daenerys' choices.