Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister were an iconic duo throughout Game of Thrones. The unlikely pair united in season 5's "The Gift" after the exiled Lannister fled King's Landing and traveled across Essos to Meereen. Tyrion established an alliance with the Targaryen queen and helped her bring peace to Slaver's Bay, resulting in his ascension as Hand of the Queen.
Tyrion's relationship with the Dragon Queen was more than rocky, however. The pair clashed frequently, approaching the war against Cersei from varying angles as well as making questionable decisions the other couldn't overlook. Daenerys and Tyrion initially seemed like a match made in heaven, but their friendship might not have been so great after all...
Daenerys and Tyrion spent a lot of time together during the latter half of the series, but their relationship was strictly business. The exiled Lannister united with the Targaryen queen in season 5 after escaping from King's Landing. Tyrion proved his worth to Daenerys and was appointed her Hand a season later.
The nature of Tyrion's relationship with Daenerys left little room for friendship. The Mother of Dragons was a formidable monarch; Tyrion was a valuable work associate.
While working for Daenerys, Tyrion displayed little of the sharp wit and political tact that made him so popular during his tenure as Joffrey's Hand. As Dany's Hand, Tyrion gave the Targaryen queen a litany of misguided advice that scuppered her conquest of Westeros.
Tyrion's worst plans include advising Daenerys and Jon Snow to retrieve a wight from the North, and assuring the Targaryen queen that she could trust his sister. Tyrion's blunders ultimately contributed to her downfall and drove a wedge through their friendship.
During season 8's "The Last Of The Starks," Sansa deduces that Tyrion is afraid of the queen he swore to serve. The Lady of Winterfell uses the truth about Jon's parentage to sow dissent in Daenerys' council, using Tyrion's fear as evidence to throw his favor behind the other Targaryen instead.
The fear Tyrion felt around Daenerys was another reason their friendship off-balance. The Targaryen queen proves her Hand had good reason to be frightened when she destroys King's Landing in season's 8's polarizing penultimate episode, "The Bells."
Tyrion's relationship with Daenerys was unhealthy in multiple ways. From their first meeting, the exiled Lannister isolated the young queen from other advisors. Tyrion advises Daenerys to banish Jorah again in season 5's "Hardhome," and instructs her to leave Daario Naharis in Meereen during season 6's "The Winds Of Winter."
The Lannister lord continues to monopolize power over Daenerys as he tempers her throughout season 7. Tyrion implores the Mother of Dragons not to rescue Jon Snow in "Beyond The Wall," and looks visibly distressed at their union in "The Dragon And The Wolf."
The history between the Targaryens and Lannisters is rife with blood and betrayal. Tywin served as Hand of the King to Aerys II before betraying the Mad King during Robert's Rebellion. Tyrion's brother Jaime issued the killing blow to Daenerys' father, earning his moniker as the Kingslayer.
The familial wounds between Tyrion and Daenerys are provoked by Jaime's presence at Winterfell in season 8's "A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms." The Targaryen queen condemns the Kingslayer and makes it clear that she harbors resentment for his crimes.
Tyrion was an official member of Team Targaryen during Daenerys' conquest of Westeros. But that didn't sway his true loyalties from his family. The Lannister lord advised his queen against attacking her rival monarch and tried to orchestrate Cersei's escape during the Battle of King's Landing.
Tyrion omits Cersei's sins and implores her to surrender before Missandei's execution in "The Last Of The Starks." Tyrion tried to serve Daenerys, but ultimately the Lannister's loyalties lay with his family rather than his queen.
Daenerys and Tyrion initially seemed to be a dream team when they joined forces in season 5. Yet despite working together throughout the Khaleesi's war in Westeros, their characters had little in common and rarely understood each other.
Tyrion tried to resolve the crisis in Meereen by allowing the masters seven years to abolish slavery, a decision Daenerys would unlikely condone. The duo differs in their approach to dethroning Cersei in the later seasons, with Tyrion repeatedly dissuading his queen from unleashing fire and blood.
Jaime fought alongside the Dragon Queen and her army during "The Long Night," though his allegiances soon switch back to his sister in the following episode. The Kingslayer rides south to reunite with Cersei before being captured by the Targaryen queen's forces.
Tyrion chooses his family over his queen again by freeing Jaime from Daenerys' captivity. The Lannister lord helps his brother escape before the battle in "The Bells" so that Jaime and Cersei can both flee the city.
A confrontation with Cersei was inevitable from the moment Daenerys reached Dragonstone in season 7. The war of the two queens is extended by Tyrion's machinations and the Night King's invasion. Ultimately, Cersei meets her fiery fate when the Dragon Queen incinerates the city.
Tyrion may have overestimated his hatred towards his siblings when initially joining forces with Daenerys. The Lannister lord is distraught at the discovery of their bodies during the series finale, highlighting the pain Daenerys caused him.
Daenerys' story culminated in heartbreak when her character descended into villainy during "The Bells." In the series finale "The Iron Throne," Tyrion convinces her lover and nephew Jon Snow to kill her after the Targaryen queen declares war on the rest of the world.
The captive Lannister implores Jon to murder Daenerys to save Arya, Sansa, and the rest of the world from her wrath. Tyrion's friendship with the Mother of Dragons was tentative at best, resulting in a betrayal directly responsible for her death. Tyrion and Daenerys may have been a force to be reckoned with, but the unlikely duo was far from friends.
