10 Most Tearjerking Game Of Thrones Moments
2. Ned Stark's Execution
In terms of shock value, we thought nothing could top the execution of Ned Stark (oh, how we underestimated George R.R. Martin), and it still stands as one of the most devastating moments of the show.
Ned became the Hand Of The King in order to serve his best friend Robert Baratheon, but he soon learned how poisonous the politics in King's Landing could be. After Robert’s death, he learned a dark secret about his heir Joffrey and attempted to do the right thing by removing him from the throne; epic mistake.
In any other story, he would have been spared, banished to the Night’s Watch to serve with his son and planned his redemption over a couple of seasons. Of course, GOT isn’t a normal show, so the noble hero is promptly beheaded while his daughters – and the viewers – look on in tearful horror.
Ned's execution in many ways launched a lot of the chaos that has followed. It also taught the audience that nobody is safe in this world, and boy is that a lesson we’ve learned time and time again.