It’s been six years since the Game of Thrones finale, but Varys’s death scene remains one of the show’s most disappointing moments. The master of whispers, who outplayed nearly everyone in King’s Landing for decades, was executed by Daenerys for open treason — and the whole thing felt so out of character that fans immediately suspected things would play out differently in the books.
And they’re right. George R. R. Martin simply cannot repeat that twist, as it contradicts the logic of his novels.
Why Daenerys Executed Varys in the Show (and Why It Was Foolish)
In the show, Varys was portrayed as a 'noble conspirator' — someone who genuinely cared for the realm and initially saw Daenerys as the ideal ruler. But when she began descending into madness, he suddenly started openly plotting against her, spreading letters naming Jon Snow as the true heir.
The result? Dragonfire.
The problem is, this ending goes against everything Varys stood for. He didn’t just survive multiple kings — he stayed in the shadows for decades, manipulating events so masterfully that even Tyrion called him 'the most dangerous man in Westeros.' And now we’re supposed to believe he made such a careless mistake, as if he forgot he was being watched?
Why Varys in the Books Won’t Share the Show Character’s Fate
The key difference is that in the books, Varys doesn’t support Daenerys at all. His true candidate for the throne is Young Griff (Aegon Targaryen), the supposedly surviving son of Rhaegar. In A Dance with Dragons, Varys even murders Kevan Lannister to clear the way for his protégé.
This completely changes the picture:
• Varys is not tied to Daenerys — he was never her advisor and owes her no loyalty. • He won’t make a stupid mistake — his schemes are far more intricate, and if he falls, it will be dramatically earned. • Daenerys could still execute him — for supporting Aegon, for instance — but that would be a deliberate choice, not a narrative dead end.
Martin won’t kill Varys 'just because' — his death (if it happens at all) must carry weight.
How Book Varys Might Die (If He Does)
If Varys dies in The Winds of Winter, it will likely be in a far more inventive way than in the show. Here are a few possible scenarios:
- Irony of Fate: A Victim of Chaos Varys has always been in control — but what if he dies by chance, in a wildfire explosion or the collapse of the Red Keep? A bitter end for a man who believed in order.
- Betrayed by His Own Aegon or Illyrio could eliminate him if he becomes a threat. Varys is a master manipulator, but even he isn’t immune to being outplayed.
- Execution After Victory If Daenerys takes King’s Landing, she may execute Varys as a traitor — but only if he truly ends up on the losing side. Even then, it would be a fitting conclusion to his intricate intrigues, not an abrupt 'the writers ran out of steam' scene.
Conclusion: Varys Is Too Important to Die Stupidly
The show simplified the plot by cutting Aegon and turning Varys into Dany’s advisor, but the books can’t afford that shortcut. In Martin’s world, Varys is a force unto himself, and his fate will unfold through a much more complex political game.
So most likely, in The Winds of Winter, he’ll survive — if only to ensure that when his fall does come, it’s worthy of the player he truly is.
And if not? Well, it’ll definitely be better than 'burned for a few careless letters.'
