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For eight seasons of Game of Thrones, the Unsullied stood as Daenerys Targaryen’s wall of menace. They used to be feared across Essos and were respected in Westeros. Yet, the show treated them more like background decoration, despite all their trauma and buffness.
Considering the Unsullied went through mutilation due to war, they deserved much better than to vanish into a poisoned island at the end. We mean it because they had one of the best backstories in George R.R. Martin’s universe.
So let’s talk about the army that carried Game of Thrones and got almost zero screen time to show for their sacrifices, shall we?
The Unsullied deserved more than formation shots
In the Game of Thrones books, the Unsullied are somewhat of war machines who have been through it all. Be it violence against them or deprivation.
Only a fraction of these trainees survive. They’re forced to kill the pets they raise and the slaves they’re given. Eventually, every bit of them that makes them human is lost. They are given pain-numbing potions and have no sense of identity left at all, so that they can become the perfect formation unit.
The show hinted at this background, but never really lingered on it. Instead, we met only one speaking Unsullied named Grey Worm. This commander had just enough screen space to fall in love with and kiss Missandei on a balcony. He spent the rest of his time either marching or mourning. Sad, really.
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Meanwhile, an army of thousands remained nameless. Even the Dothraki got horses and a murder, along with a few dialogues.
But in the finale, there was no vengeance for Daenerys. There was a suggestion they could “continue their line” with a house in The Reach for a eunuch army, though. Honestly, the Unsullied could've had some storylines involving reclaiming Meereen or dismantling the slave trade.
Instead, they sailed off to Naath, aka a tropical island of death.
The Game of Thrones spin-offs could make this right
For sure, the Unsullied don’t have to stay forgotten!
With House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Golden Empire, and possibly even 10,000 Ships in development under the Game of Thrones franchise, HBO can bring the Unsullied back as people.
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Perhaps we could see early Unsullied regiments in The Century of Blood, the fall of Valyria, or early Targaryen conquest eras. With this, they could remember their own culture and even have some individuality. A prequel could also look at their ultra-exclusive religion and how these warriors weather trauma.
Plus, a standalone Game of Thrones series could explore what happens to the war-shaped Unsullied army on the island of Naath? HBO needs to explore these storylines without accidentally leaving Starbucks cups in frame.
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Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are on HBO Max.
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