Place 3: Eddard Stark
- First appearance: Season 1 Episode 1
- Time of death: Season 1 Episode 9
Ned Stark was a great lord, a loving husband and father, and as honorable as one can be. But during his time in King’s Landing, he asked too many questions. He investigated the true parentage of Prince, later King Joffrey. He was arrested and supposed to publicly confess his treason. But despite Ned cooperating, Joffrey simply ordered his beheading.
Ned was not only a good man who did not deserve such an early death. Tragically, his two daughters, Arya and Sansa, had to witness the execution as well.
Overall, this scene was not only sad but also the moment when the series really took off. It was the first death of a major character, which shocked many at the time. Now it was clear: in Game of Thrones, no one is safe, whether main or supporting character.
Place 2: Hodor
- First appearance: Season 1 Episode 1
- Time of death: Season 6 Episode 5
We meet Hodor as a somewhat simple stable boy of House Stark. He can only say one word, namely “Hodor.” After Bran’s fall, he becomes Bran’s carrier due to his large and strong stature. He accompanies Bran behind the Wall, where he meets his tragic end.
Bran and his companions are fleeing from the wights. To buy time, Hodor holds the door to the exit closed. Meanwhile, Bran has a vision. There he sees young Hodor, who is convulsing. He repeatedly calls “Hold the door,” which gradually becomes “Hodor.” That is what Hodor does in the present as well, before he is ultimately killed by the wights.
The scene is not only sad because a loving and innocent character dies. It is especially tragic because it becomes clear that Hodors entire life has been influenced by this moment of his death. Only because of that, he lost the ability to speak normally.
Place 1: The Red Wedding
- Season 3 Episodes 9 and 10
The first place in this ranking goes not to a specific character, but to an entire scene. A political marriage is to be arranged between Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. But it is a trap. The wedding turns into a massacre, in which Tullys and Starks fall victim. Among those killed are Robb Stark, his pregnant wife Talisa, and Catelyn Stark.
In one fell swoop, House Stark is as good as wiped out. This is especially shocking since the Starks were, in a sense, “the good ones” in Game of Thrones. Furthermore, it is considered extremely dishonorable, even by Westeros standards, to murder guests in one’s own home.
To this day, the scene, also known as “The Red Wedding,” is infamously famous. It stands for all the surprising and brutal twists that characterize Game of Thrones.
Do you agree with the ranking? Which death in Game of Thrones was saddest for you? Let us know in the comments!
To avoid landing on this list, one better be able to defend oneself well in Westeros. Traditionally, for example, with a sword. In another ranking here on MeinMMO, you’ll learn which 10 characters are the best at handling a sword: The 10 best swordsmen from Game of Thrones in the power ranking
