10 Shocking Deaths That Changed Game Of Thrones

9. Jeor Mormont

Game of Thrones Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
HBO

Jeor Mormont was a rare thing in Westeros: a decent man. Unlike many of the sworn brothers of the Night's Watch, he wasn't a thief, murderer, or rapist. He was the head of his house, Lord of Bear Island, but actively chose to take the black, and quickly became Lord Commander.

His death wasn't felt as strongly as some of the others, since he wasn't winning any popularity contests, but it has undoubtedly had a major bearing (no pun intended, honest) on where the show has headed since.

Brutally killed by his own men, his death left a power vacuum at Castle Black, one that would ultimately be filled when Jon Snow became the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. This immediately changes the position of Jon, which alters as show as he's one of the main protagonists. It leads to a lot of conflict at The Wall, to the spectacular Watchers on the Wall and especially Hardhome, and, of course, to the climatic moments of Season 5: "For The Watch."

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.