Game Of Thrones: 10 Characters Killed At The PERFECT Time
7. Stannis Baratheon
Moving on a couple more seasons, this is the first example on the list where it's quite clear a character has outstayed his welcome.
As brilliant as Stephen Dillane was in the part of Stannis Baratheon, by the climax of season five his journey had been relegated to no more than a supporting plot quite literally on the fringes of the continent. And as we see Jon become more of a leader than he, especially with his treatment of the free folk, we knew Stannis's days were numbered.
Following a rather anti-climactic battle against the Bolton forces, most of which we don't see, Stannis finds himself at the mercy of Brienne of Tarth, who absolutely steals the show as she fulfills her oath to avenge Renly Baratheon’s death.
The scene is more about closure for Brienne rather than a fitting end for Stannis, and his death is clearly a way of starting to bring the major players in the North onto the same side for the showdowns to come the following season.
As underwhelming as his death was though, Stannis needed to go for this to happen, and to further secure Jon’s position as King In The North.