Her Watch Has Ended: Missandei

Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei in Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones has entered its final season and that means it’s time to take stock of the show as a whole. But rather than do a set of episode reviews, we decided to take a little inspiration from the books for our post-mortem. George R.R. Martin’s still unfinished series features chapters based on the point of view of its characters, so each of these posts will review their individual journeys in the show as they come to their end, whether peacefully or violently - this is Thrones, after all.

We’ll ask the same set of questions for each character, reflect on where they came from, where the events of the series took them, and where we leave them. How effective was the show’s approach to the character, and is their ending satisfying? What purpose did each character serve throughout the series?

If it isn’t already obvious, this is MEGA-SPOILER territory, so beware if you’re not fully caught up on the show.

Also check out:
Melisandre
Theon Greyjoy
Lyanna Mormont
Jorah Mormont

Missandei

Where did she come from?

The island of Naath, originally, but we meet Missandei at Astapor, one of the three city-states at Slaver’s Bay, where she is an interpreter to Kraznys, the man who sells the Unsullied to Daenerys. Missandei is introduced in Season 3 at the start of Daenerys’ rise as the Breaker of Chains, and later becomes one of her most trusted advisors.

Where did the show take her?

Everywhere Daenerys went. The BFF relationship lasted six seasons, one of the longest partnerships on a show that keeps tearing people apart. *sobs*

Where does her story end?

At the hands of the zombie Mountain, on orders from Cersei Lannister. After Daenerys and the Unsullied are ambushed by Euron Greyjoy, Missandei is captured and held prisoner. She was beheaded after both Daenerys and Cersei refuse to surrender.

We knew it from the moment they said those words, but Grey Worm and Missandei will never get to spend the rest of their lives together on that beach. *cries*

Does the character redeem herself?

Missandei has been loyal, capable and humble. She was perfect. *cries harder*

Is Missandei’s ending satisfying?

No!!! We need Cersei’s head on a pike!!!

We didn’t expect anything short of Missandei’s death being tragic. It was foreshadowed before the Battle of Ice and Fire, completely erasing any notions of Missandei sitting by Daenerys’ side until the end of the time. But it is satisfying to see Missandei’s death mean so much to both Daenerys and Grey Worm, one of whom will undoubtedly do something really stupid in response.  

What role did this character player in the overall storytelling?

Missandei isn’t a chess-piece mover, but her emotional impact on Daenerys and Grey Worm is huge. She also has a tragic story arc, having enjoyed some good seasons in between but still starting and ending the show as a prisoner in chains. We learned a lot about her over the seasons, and also saw the unlikeliest of romances develop between her and Grey Worm. If there’s evidence that developing a character makes their death more meaningful and dramatic, look no further than Missandei. (Her death pushes Daenerys and Cersei to fight each other, but we knew that was going to happen anyway). In another world, Missandei and Grey Worm have their own sitcom in which they play the most annoying perfect couple.  

Best Moment on the Show

There aren’t many standout moments for Missandei because she’s not a major character, but there are many, many moments in the show during which she shines: her insistence on leaving out Kraznys’ insults in Valyrian when translating for Daenerys, her budding relationship with Tyrion in Seasons 5 and 6, and her tragic love story with Grey Worm.

But…

DRACARYS!!! After being told what to do her entire life, in Missandei’s last moments she’s the one who commands Daenerys to burn Cersei Lannister.