Why Missandei’s ending on Game of Thrones garnered huge controversy
THIS POST IS DARK AND FULL OF SPOILERS.
On the latest episode of Game of Thrones, the fourth offering from HBO's hit show has made a LOT of people furious, and we can understand why.
Missandei, the darling of Narth, AKA Nathalie Emmanuel, AKA that poor woman who has to plait all of Danaerys' hair on the daily, was brutally murdered by Cersei Lannister.
The actress has responded to her character's final scene, when the evil queen took her head in front of her right-hand-woman and boyfriend Greyworm. Her last word gave us chills; 'Dracarys'. She basically told Dany to burn King's Landing to the ground…and we don't blame her.
The internet was submerged in grief at the character loss, having watched her grow from an enslaved woman to the Dragon Queen's advisor and personal friend over the last few seasons. A white woman ended the life of only woman of colour on the show, which has seen criticism for it's lack of diversity in the past.
Nathalie herself presumably wasn't best pleased when she read the script, as her character was already way too underdeveloped as it is. The potential which the writers had to work with was monumental, yet she was captured and brutally beheaded instead of being granted a deserved hero moment.
Let's not forget that the word 'Dracarys' was uttered by Dany when she freed Missandei and acquired the army of the Unsullied. The word set her free, and was perfect as her last uttering. We adore symmetry.
the same word daenerys used to set missandei free was then missandei’s last word pic.twitter.com/kXAOoRPlfI
— DRACARYS BITCHES (@daenerysthor) May 7, 2019
One critic of Missandei's death was none other than Ava DuVernay, one of the most successful and influential black female directors of all time.
“So…the one and only sister on the whole epic, years-long series? That’s what you wanna do? Okay. #GOT” she wrote on Twitter. Nathalie retweeted it, with a string of love heart emojis to boot. It's clear she is grateful that the online community took notice of her undignified ending.
— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) May 6, 2019
She may have just retweeted it as a show of admiration for the iconic movie producer and filmmaker, but we feel a subtle 'YAS' from those love hearts.
The actress also wrote a gorgeous tribute to her character on Instagram, cherishing Missandei for the gentle woman she was; "It’s been one of my greatest joys playing Missandei of Naath… The quiet and kind translator. A brilliant woman who overcame so much suffering and found herself, her voice… and her one and only love."
"She represented so much for me, personally, that I have no choice but to carry the things she has taught me into my life going forward. Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to play this part."
She gave Emilia Clark a shout out for acting alongside her for so many years, and being the perfectgalpal: "I’ve loved playing your BFF for the past 7 years. Thank you for being such a wonderful person in my life and a source of light and laughter. The Bad Ass Boss Lady Warrior Goddess club will live on forever."
She referenced Greyworm/Baeworm, played by Raleigh Ritchie, and our hearts exploded:
"I literally cannot tell you what sharing the screen with you has meant to me. I found performances I didn’t know I had inside me, simply because you gave me so much to work against. Playing Missandei and Grey Worm’s journey has been so special. I couldn’t have asked for a more generous and supportive co-star."
"We’ve been out in these streets together negotiating so much but always having each other’s back. Thank you for all of it… you have been a dear friend at every point," she added. Baeworm and Missandei were destined to return to the beaches and live out a happy life together as a couple, and we are FUMING this was taken away.
Raleigh played the other person of colour on the show, and certain scenes set in the North showed the discomfort which Missandei and Greyworm felt surrounded by Caucasian people.
She made sure to thank the fans for their continued support, and the entire crew; "You will always hold a special place in my heart. The love and energy we shared will be hard to match. I feel like I hit the jackpot meeting and working with you all. I love you. To the fans of the show, and of Missandei… It’s been a pleasure playing her for you."
The actor who plays the Mountain also posted a hilarious photo of himself with Nathalie to Instagram;
"So sorry. Cersei made me do it. Hope we’re cool!" he wrote. Bless his wee soul, but we're still raging at him for taking our girl Missandei's head.
We are 100 percent committing to the fantasy that the lovely lady is "sipping a rum on a beach somewhere in sky."
Next time you hire one woman of colour for the show, Game of Thrones, maybe give her a better death? Not by a woman who clearly embodies white feminism? Problematic much?
We'd like to end this rant by showing you Jared Leto attending the 2019 Met Gala as Missandei, head in hand:
Jared Leto already went as Missandei pic.twitter.com/dj2evd9KTw
— Shrimpfaced (@Unclestiltskinz) May 7, 2019
At least GOT fans haven't lost their sense of humour yet.
Feature image credit: Instagram/@igmostbeautifulwomen
