Can Viserion Refuse to Attack His Brothers and Mother in Game of Thrones?
The possibility of Viserion refusing to attack his brothers, Drogon and Rhaegal, and his mother, Daenerys, hinges on a multifaceted analysis of the lore and plot development in A Song of Ice and Fire series and the narrative choices made by the showrunners.
Control by the Night King
Viserion is effectively a weapon for the Night King, and his actions are likely dictated by the Night King's will. This makes it improbable that he would defy orders to attack his brothers and mother. As a weapon, his primary purpose is to serve the Night King's agenda, and this is reflected in his transformation and subsequent actions.
Emotional Bond
There is a possibility that some residual connection to Daenerys exists, given that he was once one of her dragons and part of her family. However, the extent of this bond is questionable after his transformation. Dragons, especially those under the Night King's influence, are known for their shift in loyalty and behavior. The transformation may have severed any emotional ties Viserion had with Daenerys.
Plot Development
The narrative choices made by the writers could influence the outcome. If there were a moment of conflict or hesitation, it would likely be used to increase drama and explore themes of loyalty and free will. However, considering the overarching plot, the development of Viserion's story leans heavily toward him being an obedient servant of the Night King. This aligns with the themes of the show, where characters often have to make choices that are not purely based on their emotions but on larger, often unstoppable forces.
CGI Budget and Commercial Implications:
The commercial implications associated with the show are also crucial. Animating the dragons, especially Viserion in his undead state, is a significant part of the show's budget. It would be detrimental to the production value if Viserion were not to fight his two older brothers, as this would reduce his impact on the narrative and limit the show's ability to depict the scale of the conflict.
Potential Narrative Scenarios
While it's theoretically possible for Viserion to resist attacking his former family due to emotional ties, the narrative setup strongly suggests that he will remain loyal to the Night King. However, the showrunners might opt for a narrative shortcut where the undead dragon suddenly remembers its days among the living and either helps kill the Others or sacrifices itself to kill the Night’s King. This would be a dramatic and emotional turn of events, but it is more suited to films like How to Train Your Dragon than the gritty and complex world of Game of Thrones.
Symbolic Importance of Viserion
Despite the challenges, Viserion will likely have a crucial part to play in the downfall of the Others. Both R'hllor and the Old Gods were aware of Jon's mission beyond the Wall and the rescue attempt by Daenerys. R'hllor provided visions to Sandor Clegane, guiding him to the precise location where the strike team needed to be. The Old Gods, represented by Bran, were also aware of the situation. However, Bran allowed the mission to proceed, intervening only to ensure Jon's escape by sacrificing Benjen to the wights.
Given that the two godly entities nominally on the side of the living allowed the transformation of Viserion, it is possible that this action was done for a greater purpose. How this transformation and Viserion's role play out in the larger battle against the Others remains to be seen in the show's plot.