Khal Drogo is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin and in the first two seasons of its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Introduced in 1996's A Game of Thrones, Drogo is a khal, a leader of the Dothraki, a tribe of warriors who roam the continent of Essos. He is regarded to be the strongest and most feared of all of the khals. Daenerys Targaryen is sold into marriage to him by her older brother Viserys in order to secure an alliance with the Dothraki. Her ensuing relationship with him, and her introduction to the brutal world of the Dothraki, prove to be fundamental to her growth as both a ruler and a conqueror. Drogo is portrayed by Jason Momoa in the HBO television adaptation.
Overview
Drogo is a powerful khal, or warlord, of the Dothraki people, a tribal nation of horse riders in the steppes beyond the Free Cities. He is an accomplished warrior and has never been defeated in battle. Drogo is not a point of view character in the novels, so his actions are witnessed and interpreted through the eyes of his wife Daenerys Targaryen.
Storylines
A Game of Thrones
In A Game of Thrones, Viserys Targaryen and Illyrio Mopatis marry Daenerys Targaryen to Khal Drogo to get his support and warriors for the invasion of Westeros. After a tense wedding night with the pubescent Daenerys - neither speaking the other’s language - her growing sexual prowess and self-esteem ultimately result in his respect as a kind, sensitive, and loving husband. Initially reluctant against Viserys’ scheme to invade Westeros, executing his brother-in-law after a tense encounter. After a failed attempt on Daenerys's life, he vows to invade Westeros himself and claim the Iron Throne for their unborn son, but is wounded in a subsequent battle, developing a severe case of sepsis. Daenerys unwittingly sacrifices their unborn son to save him with blood magic. While this saves his life, he is left in a dumb, catatonic state. After offering herself to him one final night, a heartbroken Daenerys smothers him with a pillow. At his funeral pyre, she walks with her dragon eggs into the flames and emerges unscathed with three baby dragons. He posthumously becomes the namesake of her favorite dragon, Drogon. Khal Drogo is not a point of view character in the novels, so his actions are witnessed and interpreted through the eyes of Daenerys Targaryen.
Television adaptation
Khal Drogo is played by Jason Momoa in the television adaptation of the series of books. At his audition for the part of Drogo he performed the Ka Mate haka. Momoa related his experience in reading for the role:
When I read that Khal Drogo role, I was blown away. I couldn't believe it was happening, I had to have that role. I was like, "Nobody is going to take that role from me."... People say it's easy —"You're just sitting there!" But it's extremely hard to be extremely intimidating, and say everything but not say anything.
Momoa contributed his own ideas to his portrayal. For example, in one scene, Drogo cements his position as the lead khal by ripping out the tongue of a dissenter, Mago. The scene was not in the script, but was suggested by Momoa after he made the observation that Drogo, who is said to be a great warrior, had never been shown demonstrating his prowess as a warrior onscreen. Remarking on the character's early exit:
I was reading it and I was like: "Holy shit! Fuck, I'm dead!"... It's amazing what sets up. Here's your lead characters, you're supposed to think about them one way, and you hate them, then you love them, and then they're killed and it's a whirlwind of emotion. All the little kids and even the smallest of characters just grow and grow and grow. He built a beautiful world. I'm bummed I'm not going back. To play Khal Drogo was phenomenal and I wished there was more stuff he could have done, I'm going to miss that character.
Storylines
Season 1
Khal Drogo is a warlord of the Dothraki people. He is to marry Daenerys Targaryen, as arranged by her brother Viserys. He is undefeated in battle. Viserys Targaryen conspired with Magister Illyrio to marry Daenerys to Drogo in order to get his support in an invasion of Westeros. Though Daenerys was unhappy with the arrangement, being forced to consummate the marriage on their wedding night, she grows bolder and more reactive to his advances, Drogo ultimately proves to be a sensitive husband and lover despite his fearsome behavior with his men. After a failed poisoning attempt on a pregnant Daenerys' life, he promises to invade Westeros to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms as a gift to his unborn son, but is wounded by one of his men, Mago, before he could begin the invasion. The wound festers, owing to ‘treatment’ from a resentful healer enlisted as healer by Daenerys after being brutalised by his men. Drogo becomes so sick that he is unable to ride his horse, a sign of severe weakness to the Dothraki. Most of his khalasar abandons him, but Daenerys unknowingly sacrifices their unborn child for a spell to revive him. The spell works, but leaves him in a catatonic state. Daenerys smothers him out of pity, and the flames of his funeral pyre ultimately hatch her dragon eggs.
Season 2
As Daenerys walks through a stronghold in Qarth, she is struck with visions of places such as a ruined and snowbound Red Keep, and the Haunted Forest. She encounters her deceased husband, Khal Drogo, and their stillborn son Rhaego, both apparently alive and well. Although unsure whether she is dreaming, Daenerys leaves when she hears her dragons.
Reception
Momoa received positive reviews for his portrayal of the character.
