This week I wanted to think very briefly about some similarities between Daenerys and Cersei. Looking forward without (much) spoiler, I think it makes a good amount of sense for Dany to be set opposite Cersei. I come by this line of thought because the question was posed if women, in this universe, can be said to have power divested from their use of sex. In this season, it certainly seems not, especially considering that both of their stories begin, more or less, with the act; Cersei is caught with Jamie and Dany is first sexually appraised, like cattle, by Viserys and then brutalized, though not canonically, by Drogo. Looking to that, too, in the original, though she be not raped (debatably because it's contentious to think that a 14 year old can properly consent), this is the first time we see that Dany is given any semblance of autonomy.
Either way, we are able to see how Dany and Cersei are both shaped and defined heavily by their abuse. Before one considers differently, make no mistake; Cersei was and is abused as Dany. She was a political pawn, sold to Robert who would both physically and emotionally abuse her as is seen in the show. Her own father's disregard for her wellbeing over that of the family mirrors Dany's situation. They are grown, dried, and steeped in the hot waters of these power games.
That being said, we see a difference here. They are as foils. Where Cersei has a great proficiency for playing the game, Dany has no desire to. Both seek power by their cunning and strength respectively. Still, they seek it for opposite reasons. Cersei seems to seek power as an end on itself or as protection for her family while Dany seeks it to fulfill a story about her birthright, although this could just as likely be to bring justice to the oppressed. I say the first because she seems, looking ahead, to be good to that purpose so long as it is on her terms and by her grace.
In any case, find these connections, though superficial for this season, extremely interesting.