First, we will just have to agree to disagree about her motives, if you re-watch the entire discussion between Tyrion, Jon, and Daenerys (and the discussion between Daenerys and Missandei which could only serve the purpose of creating a motive for Daenerys to rescue the Unsullied) you will see where my POV is coming from. Again, in a post-book world anything is possible with B&W, but I keep trying to hold to logic. Her main objective was to connect her armies and an extra added benefit was destroying Lannister armies (and keeping herself a potent military leader).

We both seem to know a bit about military strategy (my academic background is in international affairs with an emphasis on security studies). I agree this should be a huge problem and probably would be in any other universe but this one. I doubt, very seriously B&W in their current mode will devote much time to creating another Mereenese knot. I agree that the Lannister’s probably could have held off the Dothraki but for Drogon (I think I mentioned this in the post).

The Dothraki seem to do most of what Daenerys says so far, but you could be right on the pillaging, although you may recall Randyll T. was being pretty brutal to the people of the reach prior to the attack as well.

There was a great deal of exposition during the cave painting scene, I watched the scene three times last night and am pretty sure it depicted both, but I was tired and could always be wrong.

ASOIAF is a complex universe and I never assume I am 100% correct, I also believe that there can often be multiple correct answers to almost any question.

I really appreciate our discussions and your POV.