Game Of Thrones: 10 Characters Killed At The PERFECT Time
9. Eddard Stark
Oh Ned. To this day, the scene at the statue of Balor is still a tragedy to watch. But Eddard Stark's beheading perfectly highlights just what this show was actually about - one of sacrifice and defeat. If you thought this had a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Like with Robert, Ned's death in the penultimate episode of season one needed to happen, because this story was about his children, and they needed to start coming into the fold. Witnessing his execution is the first realisation for Arya that the world is cruel and she needs to grow up, it's the first sight of horror for Sansa, who later uses that horror as her strength to lead the lords of the north.
Further afield, it's the catalyst for Robb to go to war, while we see the first signs of rebellious nature in Jon, traits which will lead him to become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and later the King In The North.
Ned's death, tragic as it is, sets everything in motion for the Starks and is a (pardon the pun) stark warning to them all.