Why Does Sansa Stark Distrust Daenerys Targaryen?

In the world of Game of Thrones, alliances and mistrust are as plentiful as the geopolitical tensions that drive the story. One pivotal moment in the narrative is when Sansa Stark learns that Daenerys Targaryen has provided dragon glass and sacrificed a dragon to save Jon Snow. This develops a complex situation where Sansa must now confront her distrust towards Daenerys. Is this distrust purely due to a hunger for power, or are there deeper, political reasons at play?

The Trust Conundrum

Transparency and Treachery: From Game of Thrones Season 7 onwards, Jon Snow reveals to Sansa Stark that Daenerys Targaryen had risked her life and a dragon to save him. However, this act of heroism does not necessarily alleviate Sansa's distrust. After all, Sansa has had her share of betrayal, notably from Cersei Lannister, who offered her poisoned cakes as a gesture of goodwill in Season 2. This past betrayal has a lasting impact on Sansa's perspective of others' intentions, making it difficult for her to trust easily.

Political Ambitions and Power Dynamics

Power and Ambition: The presence of Daenerys as a formidable and ambitious queen represents a significant shift in the power dynamics of the North. Sansa, who has always prized power and control, finds herself in a situation where her influence is diminishing. She liked to be at the center of power and decision-making, and Daenerys' arrival threatens to change this. This is not just personal animosity; it's a deeper conflict of political ideologies that cannot be ignored.

Words, Threats, and Unintended Comparisons

Words and Actions: When Daenerys comes to the North, she does not immediately endear herself to Sansa. Daenerys unintentionally uses the same language that Cersei used when she first arrived at Winterfell, signaling a similarity in their approaches to governance. Moreover, by addressing Sansa's family in a threatening manner, Daenerys further distances herself from gaining the trust of the Northerners. Sansa's experience in having someone walk into her home, threaten her, and then offer gifts, taught her that trust is earned and not a given.

The Political Stakes

Irreconcilable Differences: The basic political positions of Daenerys and the North stand in direct opposition. Sansa desires Northern independence and self-rule, while Daenerys aspires to become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. These fundamental differences mean that any cooperation between them is doomed to fail from the outset. Daenerys can only achieve her goal by reasserting her authority over the North, while Sansa's vision of a free and independent North is incompatible with this.

The Mind-Boggling Miscalculation

Daenerys' Patience and Sansa's Gullibility: Despite Daenerys' patience and restraint, particularly towards Sansa, who she could have crushed with ease, Sansa's reluctance to trust is not unwarranted. The fact that Sansa had to sacrifice her brother Rickon to Ramsay Bolton demonstrates her willingness to go to great lengths to achieve her goals. This thirst for power and control is a key factor in her distrust of Daenerys.

Conclusion: The Complex Nexus of Trust and Power

While personal animosity and past betrayals play a role in Sansa's distrust of Daenerys, the deeper political stakes cannot be ignored. The incompatible goals of Northern independence and Daenerys' quest for dominion over Westeros create a fundamental conflict that runs far deeper than mere personal feelings. Sansa's distrust is thus a result of a long history of treachery and the realization that power and control are the true currencies in Westeros.