HBO’s popular series Game of Thrones shocked the audience in its very first season, when the show said goodbye to one of its major characters, Khal Drogo. The death of this character played by Jason Momoa shocked the audience. The audience had just recovered from the shocking death of Ned Stark when the death of Khal Drogo and the fire at his funeral created another emotional storm.
What was the real reason for Jason Momoa leaving the show?
Actually, Jason Momoa’s leaving the show was not his personal decision, but it was part of the story of Game of Thrones. Khal Drogo’s death was already fixed in this series based on the books of George R.R. Martin. That is, this character was not written to survive for a long time from the beginning.
Jason Momoa’s feelings and reaction
In an interview given to Access Hollywood in 2011, Jason Momoa expressed disappointment over the end of his character. He said:
“When I started reading the book, the description of Drogo seemed very powerful. I read the whole book in four days. And as soon as Drogo died, I was really scared. I put the book down and ran to Barnes & Noble, bought the next book and started turning the pages hoping that maybe my character would come back… but it didn’t. I was very disappointed.”
But the thinking changed with time
However, after the initial disappointment, Jason Momoa understood that Drogo’s death was necessary for the show’s story. He believed that this decision strengthened the character of Daenerys Targaryen and gave her a new direction.
According to Metro Online, Momoa said:
“Now I’m really happy that everything happened this way. Keeping Drogo alive is not right for the story. Khaleesi had to build her own strength and she came out of this pain.”
Drogo’s death marked the beginning of Daenerys’ power
The scene shown after Khal Drogo’s death is one of the most memorable moments of Game of Thrones. Daenerys jumped into the fire at her husband’s funeral and the next morning she emerged from the burnt pyre with three dragons. This is where her power and her destiny really begins.
By last season, Daenerys had turned King’s Landing into ashes with her dragons. But when her madness crossed the line, Jon Snow had to kill her – just like he lost his first love Khal Drogo.
Conclusion
Jason Momoa leaving Game of Thrones was a conscious decision that was essential for the strength of the story and Daenerys’ journey. Khal Drogo may have gone early, but he played a vital role in giving birth to the show’s most powerful female character.