Alongside other popular mainstays like Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen quickly became one of the most popular characters in Game of Thrones. The overthrown dynasty's exiled princess, with silver hair and an affinity for fire and dragons, was one of the most traditional 'fantasy' characters in the show, and in any other program would have been the protagonist.

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In addition, Daenerys was the sole protagonist of a whole third of the show, being the main character for the entire continent of Essos for at least four seasons, until other characters such as Tyrion and Varys came to join her. As a result, she had many chances to show off traits and experience events that made the audience adore her.

10 Giving A Dying Slave Water

Astapor's Walk of Punishment from Game of Thrones

While she struggled with her temper, vengeful streak, and desire to rule, Daenerys always displayed compassion for those around her, especially the downtrodden, having been raised on the run and without a home for much of her childhood.

In the episode "Walk of Punishment," slavers gave Daenerys a tour of Astapor, including down the titular Walk of Punishment, where disobedient slaves are crucified as a warning. When a dying and suffering slave begged for water, Daenerys was the only one to go to him and help, comforting him. It was a small act, but one that reinforced Daenerys' compassionate heart.

9 Learning To Survive Her Marriage

Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo sit together at their wedding Game of Thrones

Daenerys's initial storyline involved her marriage to the Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo, as his Khaleesi. The first episode showed her as a mostly passive victim in this, with the plan being devised by her brother, Viserys, and their host, Illyrio Mopatis. Drogo was shown as rough and uncaring in their marriage.

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In the second episode, however, Daenerys sought out advice on how to take power in her marriage, so that she could do more than simply be used by those around her. It was the first sign of the legendary willpower Daenerys would go on to show, and an early sign of her being an active character with agency, bolstering her popularity.

8 Threatening & Punishing Viserys

Daenerys hits and threatens Viserys in Game of Thrones

Throughout the first season, Daenerys's brother, Viserys, was a constant and unwelcome presence in her life. He was boastful, arrogant, weak, and selfish, caring little for Daenerys or the life she was attempting to build for herself amongst Drogo's Khalasar. Despite this, Daenerys tolerated him, both out of love and because of the domineering presence he had always been.

When Viserys crossed a line and hit her, Daenerys showed her steel, reminding him that she was a Khaleesi and he was not yet a king, and informing him that she would have him maimed if he hit her again. This moment truly showed that Daenerys was coming into her own, and only won the audience's admiration.

7 Riding Drogon For The First Time

Daenerys rides Drogon away from the Sons of the Harpy in Game of Thrones

With Game of Thrones acting as a dark subversion and deconstruction of the fantasy genre, the dragons were a rare high magic element in what was otherwise mostly a low magic show—in its early seasons. While they too were deconstructed, with Daenerys struggling to understand, raise, and train them, they nonetheless became one of the most iconic parts of the show.

As a result, despite the grim circumstances, it is a moment most fans can't help but love when Daenerys finally rides Drogon for the first time, taking off from Mereen in the first dragon flight that has occurred in Westeros for over a century.

6 Beginning To Bond With Jon

Daenerys Targaryen talks with Jon Snow on the island of Dragonstone in Game of Thrones.

In the early parts of Season 7, Daenerys clashed with Jon Snow after he obeyed her summons to visit her in Dragonstone. With him being unwilling to pledge the North to Daenerys after its long history of problems with Southron rulers, Daenerys prevented him from leaving the island and threatened to declare him an open rebel.

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Nonetheless, after some time getting to know each other, Daenerys relented somewhat, allowing Jon to mine dragonglass, and outright apologizing for the atrocities committed by her father, before coming to a more firm alliance later. It was a moment of humility and concession from Daenerys that reminded fans of her potential as Queen.

5 Burning The Khals In Vaes Dothrak

Daenerys Targaryen sets fire to Vaes Dothrak and kills the Khals in Game of Thrones

In Season 6, Daenerys was captured by Khal Moro and his Khalasar. After warding off their initial threats with her status as Drogo's widow, the Khal instead decided to obey Dothraki law and take Daenerys to be one of the Dosh Khaleen—widowed Khaleesis who act as spiritual leaders to the Dothraki.

When there, Daenerys' defiance angered the Khals, who threatened to first give her to slavers and then to assault her. In response, Daenerys pushed over a brazier, lighting the ancient city of the Dothraki alight while she walked unburned through the flames. It was a show of power that stuck in the minds of many fans.

4 Refusing To Leave Yunkai

Daenerys meets with the sellsword leaders ahead of the battle of Yunkai game of thrones

After gaining an Unsullied army, Daenerys' advisors bade her to leave Essos and begin her conquest of Westeros, given their reputation as the finest soldiers in the world. Daenerys instead began a campaign in Slaver's Bay, setting her eyes on Yunkai.

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When her advisors, including Jorah Mormont, pointed out that Daenerys had no reason to conquer Yunkai, as it would not aid them in Westeros, Daenerys simply asked how many slaves there were in the city, and said that every one of them was a reason. It was a powerful moment that reminded viewers of Daenerys' will, compassion, and drive.

3 Rescuing Lazareen Slave Girls

Daenerys protects slave girls from the Dothraki game of thrones

When Khal Drogo initially planned his conquest of Westeros in Season 1, he initially had his Khalasar raid the lands of the Lazareen to acquire slaves in order to fund the war effort. During the attack, Daenerys saw several warriors sexually assaulting Lazareen girls, and stepped to their protection, using her status as Khaleesi.

Ultimately, this caused tension within the Khalasar, but Daenerys refused to back down. Many fans appreciated her determination to protect the helpless girls, even with everything else going on.

2 The Sack Of Astapor

Daenerys watches as Drogon and the Unsullied sack Astapor in Game of Thrones

One of the most iconic moments for Daenerys came in Season 3, when she decided to acquire an army of Unsullied. Lacking the funds to pay for it, she instead bartered her largest dragon, Drogon, for all of them. When the handover came, however, Drogon refused to obey his new 'master,' and Daenerys gave him a simple command: 'Dracarys.'

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The resulting kill of the slaver from Dragonfire became a fan-favorite moment, especially when Daenerys used her new Unsullied to sack Astapor and free all of the slaves still in bondage there.

1 Birthing The First Dragons In Over A Century

Daenerys causes the birth of the first dragons in over a hundred years Game of Thrones

Daenerys' storyline appeared to come to a tragic end in the closing episode of Season 1, with Daenerys forced to mercy-kill Drogo, and then stepping into his funeral pyre. When the smoke cleared, Daenerys rested in the flames with three infant dragons, having hatched them from the death of the Maegi within the pyre.

It was an important moment in Westeros, but also in the real world, with the scene becoming one of the most iconic in the entire show, and setting up Daenerys' entire storyline from that point on. Viewers were delighted, and it solidified Daenerys as a fan favorite.

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