Game Of Thrones Recap: 12 Things You Learn Rewatching Season 5

9. Stannis' Last Moments Are Some Of His Best

Game Of Thrones Stannis Baratheon
HBO

"Go on, do your duty."

In his final moments, Stephen Dillane gets to deliver what might be the most on-brand Stannis moment we ever got to see on the show, at least in terms of comparing to his book character.

While Dillane does give a great performance in the role, Stannis as a character loses something in translation: the showrunners seemed to view him in a different way to George R.R. Martin, and that led to a couple of downturns for his character. One is that the supposed best tactical mind in Westeros was completely destroyed by Ramsay Bolton, and the other is in him becoming a more cruel person who subscribes to the Lord of Light and a self-righteous belief that he should be King, rather than doing it out of a sense of duty, honour, and justice.

That's why these last words have a lasting impact and remain so powerful, because they're so fitting with who the character of Stannis should've been, not the guy who burned his daughter.

Advertisement
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.