Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen's lack of romantic chemistry is hurting Game of Thrones

The Atlantic

"The fact that Jon and Dany have always felt like two awkward kids flirting—and not like two leaders in love enough to make the kinds of sacrifices that, say, Sam and Gilly have for each other—is a major flaw of the show," says Courtney Sender, adding: This oversight has consequences for the series as a whole. Game of Thrones would be a different—and better—show if viewers could buy into this once-in-a-lifetime passion. The story would be a true tragedy, a tale of choosing between the person you love and everything else that matters—the politics, the wars, the tribalism, and the history. Why and how did the show miss its chance to invest viewers in the only ongoing romance that could have repercussions for the whole Thrones universe?"

ALSO:

• Why did Game of Thrones turn on Daenerys?: The show's allegiance has changed this season, says Lili Loofbourow. "Game of Thrones used to love its nobler contenders, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that Daenerys—that sometime Chosen One—has been unchosen," says Loofbourow. "It’s quite an interesting transition to watch the show attempt. It involves, among other things, some pretty extreme redefinitions. Daenerys’ ambition, which was once celebrated, functions now as brittle hubris. The awe she once inspired in people plainly isn’t working on the Northerners, the show’s current audience surrogate. She seems more jealous than benevolent, issuing veiled threats to Jon about Sansa not respecting her....And her pretty understandable questioning of Jon’s claim to being Aegon Targaryen—that it comes, rather conveniently, from his brother and his best friend—is made to seem a little ungracious and desperate because we know that Jon’s intel is correct."
• Why Jon telling Dany the truth was his worst move ever
• Sansa's necklace features a hidden tribute to Arya
• Why does the Night Kling want to destroy "memory" on Game of Thrones?
• Daniel Portman has been groped by female fans, particularly older women
• John Bradley compared filming Sunday's big table scene to the Sgt. Pepper's cover
• Does Game of Thrones need to stop killing kids?
• Emilia Clarke and Richard Madden hung out at Tuesday's Time 100 gala
• Pete Davidson got a Game of Thrones tattoo while watching Sunday's episode