8 Most Pointless Deaths In Game Of Thrones
3. Stannis
Described in Ice And Fire as the unbending iron to his brother Robert's true steel, Stannis really exhibits this in his death, which is made unceremonious by the man's own preference. Stannis the mannis would certainly not cower from death, but by the same token he probably wouldn't launch an attack on the largest stronghold in the North without keeping all of his men in line.
Once again, this is where the books ring a little more true. He not only has his sell-sword army plus local reinforcements, but a plan on top of these superior numbers.
Freeing the North up for what will no doubt be a bloody battle between good and evil in the form of Jon Snow and Roose Bolton respectively, Stannis' death serves a narrative purpose. It's just that the almost funny comedy of errors that brings it about is ludicrous.
The scene also involves a pointlessly distracted Brienne, who does not need to be distracted to miss Sansa or change the course of her story at all. It just felt like an excuse for Sansa and the North in general to be in a state of false peril going into the end of the season.