Is Daenerys Targaryen fireproof? While Game of Thrones is full of fantastical elements—even if some of those elements took a while to show up, like dragons—this recent returning development has left fans scratching their heads; after all, this isn’t the first time this has happened. A thorough Game of Thrones season 6, episode 4 review may not make the matter of Khaleesi’s fire resistance any clearer, but there are perfectly good explanations for this and the other instances—sort of. Load up a Daenerys Targaryen fire scene video to refresh your memory then read on to find out why.

For those who missed the latest episode, “Book of the Stranger” (and if you did, you should really read our Game of Thrones season 6, episode 4 recap), Daenerys Targaryen asked the leaders of Khalasar to accept her as the Dothraki leader. When the Khals took less than kindly to the suggestion, Daenerys responded by burning the temple they were all in to the ground before walking out unscathed and declared this proof of her right to rule.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen her as Daenerys Targaryen the Unburnt; the “mother of dragons” has previously come out of Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre without a single injury. She has also said before, when watching her brother die, that fire is incapable of killing a dragon. But is that the explanation for what happened in “Book of the Stranger?” What is the reason that Daenerys Targaryen is seemingly fireproof?


Well, the answer is actually “creative license.” In a 1999 online Q&A, series creator George R.R. Martin was asked by a fan, in regards to the funeral pyre scene, if Targaryens gain fire immunity after bonding to their dragons. His response was simple: “TARGARYENS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO FIRE! The birth of Dany’s dragons was unique, magical, wonderous, a miracle. [sic]” When another fan asked a follow-up question of would it happen again, Martin answered, “Probably not.”

Of course, this season of Game of Thrones is independent of the books and its content is written by the show’s staff as opposed to adapting anything from George R.R. Martin. That means that Daenerys’ second flame bath not hurting her is likely a result of writers diverting from the author’s established canon; well, that or not doing their research.

That said, they may create an interesting explanation in a later episode. So, just in case, make sure to watch Game of Thrones season 6, episode 4 online to ensure you’re up to date before the next episode.