Barristan “The Bold” Selmy is ironically and tragically not living up to his name where it matters the most. He is the first advisor in Dany’s group who understands the Westerosi ethos, in which the Human Life value is baked. He tries to teach it to her, but Dany’s conscience has already been corrupted by the time Barristan arrives. Barristan is not forceful enough with his lessons. He feels guilty about having served “the Usurper” and that causes him to be more cautious around Dany than Dany needs him to be. Barristan holds back the harshest truths about Dany’s father. He holds back his concerns about her morally questionable decisions. He needed to stop holding back his objections in order to undo the damage that has been done to her conscience, her sense of morality and justice, by the Dothraki and slaver ethos.
Apples and Dragons 