Game Of Thrones: 10 Greatest Deaths (So Far)

Episode - 1x09, Baelor

This was the original, setting the standard early on for the kind of show Game of Thrones was going to be. Fans were disgusted by the Red Wedding, scandalised by Oberyn’s grisly death, repulsed by the fate of young Shireen Baratheon, yet the writing was on the wall ever since that fateful day “Baelor” aired. Don't get attached to anyone, for the writers will feast on your delicious tears.

Apparently the central figure of the show and the one fans pegged as the hero who'd stand victorious in the end, Eddard Stark was the one character we all thought was safe. Falsely confessing to treason in order to save the lives of his daughters before being carted off to the Night’s Watch in disgrace, we awaited his surely inevitable escape.

Joffrey’s sudden call for Ned’s execution pulled from under us all, and set the watching King’s Landing crowd braying in bloodlust. Yet even then, even with it happening before our eyes, we never truly believed it was possible until that gigantic sword came down.

We hoped against hope that Arya would unsheathe Needle and somehow make her way to the front. We pleaded along with the hysterical Sansa that somebody would put a stop to it. We waited and waited for someone, anyone, to come along at the last second and save him. No one did.

The greatsword swings, the screen turns black, and George RR Martin, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss deliver a message we’ll never forget: this ain’t no fairy tale.

Which other Game Of Thrones deaths do you think belong on this list? Share your favourites below in the comments thread.