Place 7: Theon Greyjoy
- First appearance: Season 1 Episode 1
- Time of death: Season 8 Episode 3
Theon’s journey was not an easy one. Through torture and devious torment, he was broken by Ramsay Bolton. He lost his entire self and became only “Reek.” He made terrible mistakes, foremost among them the betrayal of the Starks, who had raised him like a son.
But eventually, he manages to find his way back. He frees his sister Asha and joins the fight against the Night King. This makes it all the more tragic that he dies in this fight, protecting Bran.
Place 6: Jon Snow
- First appearance: Season 1 Episode 1
- Time of death: Season 5 Episode 10
Jon’s murder was particularly tragic as it was committed by his own people. In Season 5, Jon is elected the new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. But not everyone agrees that he wants to help the “wildlings.” Some brothers conspire against him and lure him into an ambush. There, they stab him.
Anyone who watched the series back when it released can perhaps still remember the waves this event caused. As the final scene of the fifth season, Jon’s death was the ultimate cliffhanger.
Fortunately, Melisandre managed to do the seemingly impossible in Season 6, and she resurrected Jon. Otherwise, his death would certainly have been ranked even higher.
Place 5: Daenerys Targaryen
- First appearance: Season 1 Episode 1
- Time of death: Season 8 Episode 6
Hardly any character has undergone such a transformation as Daenerys Targaryen. From a small, oppressed girl to the mother of dragons and liberator of slaves. But in order to achieve her ultimate goal – the conquest of the Iron Throne – she succumbed more and more to madness.
Just as she won, almost reached her goal, it leads to a tragic end. Her lover Jon Snow cannot condone her new views. In a final embrace, he stabs Daenerys while they kiss.
Although many were dissatisfied with Daenerys’ development in the last two seasons, it must be admitted that there is a deep tragedy surrounding her death. The Mother of Dragons was for many an absolute favorite character since Season 1, and her death is, of course, very sad.
Place 4: Sharin Baratheon
- First appearance: Season 3 Episode 5
- Time of death: Season 5 Episode 9
Sharin Baratheon, Stannis’ daughter, is a relatively inconspicuous character who is not seen very often. As a toddler, she fell ill with greyscale, which now marks her face. She lives alone at Dragonstone Castle, where she spends most of her time reading. She is a very reserved but also intelligent and loving child.
This makes it all the more horrific what is going to happen to her. As Stannis marches with his army against Winterfell, he is halted by a snowstorm. To melt the snow using magic, the red priestess Melisandre demands Sharin as a sacrifice for a cruel ritual.
Thus it happens that Stannis burns his own daughter at the stake while she painfully cries out for her mother – a truly heartbreaking scene.
