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We Have To Talk About Tyrion's Feelings For Dany On 'Game of Thrones'

by Kadeen Griffiths
Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

Fans are still trying to process all the bomb shells of the Game of Thrones Season 7 finale, but there was one quiet moment that we need to examine: Tyrion might be in love with Dany on Game of Thrones. You might not have thought about it before (though you should have), but, near the end of the finale, something happened that will force you to think about it straight up until the next season. Of course, you may have been too distracted by Jon Snow and Daenerys finally having sex to focus on it. That's understandable, but try and keep up.

The moment happened when Sam Tarly and Bran were discussing the fact that Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark were secretly married and then had Jon Snow, whose real name is Aegon Targaryen. At the same time, Jon Snow and his aunt (aunt!) Daenerys were consummating their relationship. “Rhaegar didn’t kidnap my aunt, or rape her. He loved her,” said Bran. The camera cut to Jon Snow knocking on Daenerys’ door. “And she loved him,” Bran continues as we see Jon Snow entering Daenerys’ chamber.

But then we see Tyrion approaching Daenerys’ door, watching with a serious — perhaps even jealous — look on his face. Then, for some reason, Tyrion continues to stand there outside while Dany and Jon have sex before finally, almost sadly, walking away. Yeah, it looks like Tyrion has caught feelings hard for his Queen, and, honestly, that wouldn't be a surprise.

Helen Sloan/HBO

Since he joined her side, Tyrion and Daenerys' relationship has been defined by the kind of trust and mutual respect that Tyrion has rarely gotten from anyone else in his life. The moment when she named him her Hand will go down as one of the most heartwarming moments in the series, and the fact that she not only invites his counsel but either listens to it or explains in no uncertain terms why she won't listen to it makes for a deep and true bond. But it's even more understandable when you realize that there have been hints of Tyrion's growing feelings throughout Season 7.

Remember, if you will, when Tyrion expressed concern that Daenerys had yet to name an heir to the Iron Throne lest she be killed in battle. Daenerys didn't appreciate what she saw as a power grab on his part, nor did she appreciate the reminder that she can't have children. But what if Tyrion was actually winding up to suggest to Dany that perhaps they could get married, and she could legitimize any children that he has as her heirs? She does, after all, need to make alliances with the Westeros houses and, while Tyrion might not have an army right now, he will be the only Lannister left standing if he defeats Cersei and has to kill Jaime in the process.

Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO

And then there was the fact that Tyrion was the first person to bring up to Dany the possibility that Jon Snow might be in love with her — perhaps with the hope that she might deny having any feelings for him in return? Tyrion has also jokingly expressed being jealous of Jon Snow before, such as when he told Jon that he hated that Jon looked better brooding than he did. He could really be jealous of Jon Snow now for an entirely different reason. If nothing else, seeing and clearing the air with both of his siblings in "The Dragon and the Wolf" might have led Tyrion to the unpleasant reminder that he has nothing and no one without Dany — and that his feelings for her run deeper than mere friendship or loyalty.

Of course, there's also the chance that perhaps Tyrion did come to that unpleasant reminder... and now he wants to marry Dany so that he can have that political clout in the event the war goes south. There are a lot of different ways to interpret that final look. However, Tyrion being in love with Dany is an explanation that makes a lot of sense... and would honestly be a long time coming.