The 50 Best Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked
41. Ellaria Sand & the Sand Snakes
Many fans of Game of Thrones disliked season 5’s Dornish arc, but we give credit where credit is due. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes are fun to watch. They have a fiery spirit, starting with Prince Oberyn’s paramour Ellaria (Indira Varma).
The Sand Snakes are a perfect nickname Oberyn’s three oldest daughters: Tyene, Obara, and Nymeria. They’ve got their mother’s (or in the case of Obara and Nymeria, their step-mother’s) exotic sensuality and their father’s vicious zest for fighting, which they prove by facing off against Bronn and Jaime. But they’re also a “shoot first, ask questions later” kind of family. Their path towards justice is occasionally paved with spur-of-the-moment decisions which ignore long-term repercussions. Sure, Ellaria has control of Dorne now, but taking the reins by betraying your sworn word will only come back around to haunt you.
Either way, the Dornish ships will be a valuable asset for Dany’s army, and Ellaria and her Sand Snakes are on track to exact revenge on Queen Cersei. But remember: Ellaria may have to answer to Tyrion about his niece’s murder, and he’s much closer to Dany than she is.