Dracarys in Game of Thrones: Meaning and Why Missandei says it in Season 8, Episode 4

Dracarys – that's a word we've heard pronounce Daenerys Targaryen over and over during Game of Thrones, which goes back to the first seasons. Season 8, episode 4 has made a particularly significant use, Missandei declaring it in a strong moment for the character. But what does it mean and, more importantly, what is its meaning to herself and Dany? We explore this below because there is potentially more meaning than you would expect. It's one of the many subtle reminders at times old, not very different from that of Arya's "This is not me".

If you're caught with season 8, check out our review of episode 4, which explores some of the lingering problems that we think they're suffering this season. We also have a collection of Easter eggs and references that you may have missed, not just the cup of coffee that made headlines this week. As for the future, there is also the trailer for episode 5 and an overview of the possibility that there are more dragons in Westeros. We also have a new stack of new theories for the last two episodes of the series.

Season 8 of Game of Thrones has only two episodes and the show as a whole will be finished in a little over a week. The most recent episode took place last Sunday night in the form of episode 4, which dealt with the fallout of the Battle of Winterfell from episode 3. Although this episode is relatively calm in comparison, he was not without development. After exacerbated tensions (both politically and politically), we are fast approaching the penultimate moment of the battle for the iron throne. The conclusion of episode 4 was particularly tense and a word might have defined what would happen next when a last big battle was coming up. Spoiler warning: The events of episode 4 are described below.

In the last moments of episode 4, Missandei stands precariously alongside Cersei after being taken prisoner when Euron's fleet launches an ambush. Dany watches as Tyrion tries to negotiate for his life and Cersei surrenders. Unfortunately, his diplomacy fails and Cersei turns to Missandei and tells him to share his last words. Missandei looks at her queen below and declares "dracarys".

The word translates to "Dragonfire" at the top Valyrian; It's the same word that Dany uses to signal his dragons to shoot his enemies. In this case, the word is an ultimate statement of allegiance and support to his queen, knowing full well that it will be his last. It is not very difficult to assume that Missandei's last word could also be an appeal to Dany to annihilate Cersei in the same way that she has the rest of her enemies.

The word also has significance for the relationship between Missandei and Dany. The two men met for the first time while Missandei was still a slave who had served as an interpreter for the slave dealer Kraznys mo Nakloz of Astapor. Dany finally releases Missandei by ordering the Unsullied slave to take it to Astapor's slave traders. In the scrum of the uprising, Dany turns to Kraznys and calmly says "dracarys". Upon hearing the instruction, his dragon Drogon blows a fireball at the slave trader and burns it to ashes. Missandei's choice for her last word is almost certainly a reminder of that moment and Dany's impact on her life.

Or, you know, take it to the woman herself. After the broadcast of the episode, Nathalie Emmanuel, who represents Missandei, tweeted "Dracarys". She then continued with her personal translation, "Burn the bish".

It was not a good episode for dragons or Dany, as Rhaegal can testify. (It was also a movie with a remarkable blunder, while a coffee cup allowed Winterfell to get away with it – HBO even recognized it and digitally removed it from the episode.) episode 5. Although this is not seen in there, episode 4 strongly suggests that Cleganebowl finally arrives.