“What if” Series is a new column by TeeHunter’s creative authors. Here, we will turn movies and comics inside out, generating new stories by altering significant events. It’s for the hardcore fan who enjoys re-imagining the characters and worlds they love.

Needless to say… spoilers run rampant!

Daenerys Targaryen

She was widowed. She was abandoned. She was starving. The end of season one (save for the last few moments) easily qualifies as Daenerys Targaryen’s lowest point in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

After the Dothraki stage a run-of-the-mill raid against a small village, complete with good ol’ rape and pillage, Khal Drogo, Daenerys’s husband, finds himself challenged by a fellow rider in a dispute over the captured women, resulting in the total disembowelment of the rider and a papercut for the Khal. Apparently, it’s worse than it looks. Reluctantly, Drogo has his wound treated by a captive witch doctor who (unsurprisingly) turns on him, leaving him braindead and forcing Daenerys to smother him to death with a pillow.

With her husband no longer in control, the majority of the Dothraki people ride off into the sunset under a new Khal. Left with few friends and no food, she was as rock bottom as it gets… OK maybe not as bad as Theon (or should I say Reek?), but still pretty damn bad. At this point, the desperate khaleesi sets fire to the three assets she has left: centuries-old dragon eggs. And contrary to her advisor’s opinions, she struts straight into the inferno after them. But she lives. In an uncharacteristic stroke of luck, her theory was right, and the eggs hatch, setting the tone for the next four seasons.

But the eggs themselves were a long shot. More than likely, she should have burst into flames to a lively chorus of “Burn Dany Burn.” Had she died, her remaining Dothraki would probably have starved, or they may have tried to haul ass and catch up with the rest of the khalasar. But Ser Jorah Mormont is more of a mystery… It’s unclear EXACTLY how loyal Jorah is to Daenerys, having recently decided against betraying her to King’s Landing. Would he have taken up fasting as he mourned, leaving him frail and weak until death? Maybe. Or he might have taken up sword and shield to avenge her memory. Then again, he could have just stopped giving a shit and joined his dad in the Night’s Watch.

But there are still many other, long-term consequences of Daenerys’s death. In Qarth, the wealthiest man with no wealth, Xaro Xhoan Daxos, and the warlock creep, Pyat Pree, probably wouldn’t have had the ambition to overthrow the Thirteen without any stolen dragons, but hey, at least they would both still be alive.

Then there’s Ser Barristan Selmy. Disgraced and resentful, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard may have kept searching for someone worth fighting for, or, if he’s feeling ballsy, he might have taken up arms in a revolt against King Joffrey the Brat. But undoubtedly, the Unsullied and Second Sons badass combo would each continue fighting for their respective highest bidder, leaving the control of Slaver’s Bay in the hands of the slaver. And perhaps the most important consequence doesn’t even lie on that side of the Narrow Sea.

Unless Varys had found a different charismatic leader with armies, dragons, and a respectable name that he believed could save the world (chances being pretty slim), Tyrion Lannister wouldn’t have been saved by Jamie and recruited by the Master of Whisperers, and more than likely, he would have been executed for a crime he didn’t commit, leaving his father to retain his monotone grip over the Iron Throne. But could it go further? Maybe Podrick would have turned outlaw, abandoning Brienne of Tarth and seeking vengeance for his slain boss and friend. Or with Jamie’s help, Varys could have saved Tyrion anyway for the sake of his wit and sent him off to Dorne. There he might denounce his family name and muster just enough anti-Lannister sentiment among the rebels of House Martell to start a rebellion and reinstate the independent Principality of Dorne. The possibilities are endless (and feel free to suggest more in the comments)!

Clearly, Daenerys is the bee’s knees with hundreds of thousands directly and indirectly relying on her success, and I think we’re all pretty satisfied that she’s not dead (yet?). So let’s celebrate the Mother of Dragons with some flammin’ hot t-shirts!