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15th May 2019

Game of Thrones viewers completely missed Varys’ attempt to poison Daenerys in the last episode

James Dawson

*Insert Game of Thrones spoiler warning here*

The penultimate Game of Thrones saw the end of one the series most complex and intriguing characters.

While he might never have been front and centre of the show, like, say Jon Snow, Varys was involved in most of the large-scale events that affected how the plot developed, and always in the background of the show’s politics.

From assisting Ned Stark in under covering Cersei Lannister’s plot to kill King Robert, through to the poisoning of Joffrey, and assisting Daenarys’ move from Meereen over the Narrow Sea to Westeros, the Master of Whispers has lurked in the shadows of nearly every major event in the Seven Kingdoms.

But it was ‘The Bells’ that saw Varys final conspiracy uncovered and him sentenced to death after plotting to see Jon Snow installed on the Iron Thone in place of his auntie Dany. But before he was subject to “dracarys” from Drogon, he made one last play to see Daenarys removed from the show that a lot of viewers missed the first time.

If you watch back the scenes between him and the girl who serves as one of his spies, there’s a clear implication that the spy, Martha, is attempting to poison Dany.

The exchange unfolded as follows:

Varys: “Nothing?”
Martha: “She won’t eat.”
Varys: “We’ll try again at supper.”
Martha: “I think they’re watching me.”
Varys: “Who?”
Martha: “Her soldiers.”
Varys: “Of course they are. That’s their job. What have I told you, Martha?”
Martha: “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.”
Varys: “Go on. They’ll be missing you in the kitchen.”

Although the plot was thwarted, having been vindicated by how the remainder of the episode played out, Varys may still get his wish

It is unclear who his letter detailing the fact that Jon Snow is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne was sent to, but the Stark sisters are both unhappy with the Dragon Queen and it is possible Varys might have won over Dorne, Illyrio Mopatis, Robyn Arryn, and others to their side as his final act.