Game Of Thrones: 20 Most Shocking Moments Ever

4. Stannis Burns Shireen

Shireen Baratheon Death Game of Thrones
HBO

You think you've seen it all on Game of Thrones. By Season 5, we'd witnessed characters killed in all kinds of fashion. actual babies had been stabbed. Direwolves had been executed. It was an awful world, but we'd been hardened by it. And then Stannis, at the behest of Melisandre, decided to sacrifice his daughter to the Lord of Light.

Since her introduction in Season 2, Shireen had been the sweetest character in the entire show. A purely kind, good-hearted, innocent little girl, who'd faced hardships but still remained so happy and helpful throughout. So of course, she wants to help her father, and that moment when she agrees to do so, not knowing what it involves, is when you can pinpoint the exact moment your heart rips in half.

Shireen is led to the pyre, begging for her parents, who stand back in the crowd. The flames begin to gently lick at her feet, and then engulf her entirely, and all we're left with are those terrible, terrible screams that will never quite leave our ears.

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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.