The second season of House of the Dragon has just begun and has already debuted with one of the most notable deaths in the Game of Thrones universe. Here are the 15 most striking ones we’ve seen so far.
The order is not of importance!
In Game of Thrones, each death changed the game
1 – Ned Stark: Season 1, Game of Thrones, Episode 9 (“Baelor”)
How he died: Eddard (Ned) Stark (Sean Bean) is beheaded in a public execution at the behest of Joffrey Baratheon.
Impact: Ned Stark’s execution marked a crucial turning point in the series. His death destabilized the North, triggered the War of the Five Kings, and showed viewers that no one was safe, regardless of their importance or morality. Ned Stark’s execution came as a shock to many viewers, as he was perceived as the main character and his death marked the unpredictable and relentless tone of the series.
2 – Red Wedding: Season 3, Game of Thrones, Episode 9 (“The Rains of Castamere”)
How they died: This brutal event resulted in the deaths of Robb Stark (Richard Madden), his mother Catelyn Stark (Michele Farley), his wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin), and many of his followers. It was a turning point in the series, showing the betrayal of the Freys and Boltons.
Impact: The death of the Starks was a devastating blow because it further fragmented the North and consolidated the position of the Lannisters and the Freys while significantly weakening Stark resistance and the North’s cause in the war, effectively ending the conflict.
3 – Hodor: Season 6, Game of Thrones, Episode 5 (“The Door”)
How he died: Hodor’s death was particularly emotional, with the revelation of his backstory and the sacrifice he made to protect Bran.
Impact: Hodor’s death was emotionally devastating and revealed the origin of his name, saving Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Meera (Ellie Kendrick). How it showed the depth of the consequences of Bran’s warg abilities and highlighted personal sacrifice in times of war led to Bran’s long breaks and secrets as the Three-Eyed-Raven in later seasons.
4 – Rickon Stark: Season 6, Game of Thrones, Episode 9 (“Battle of the Bastards”)
How he died: Rickon (Art Parkinson) was killed by Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon), who used him as bait to lure Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and his forces into a rash attack. He was killed by an arrow fired by Ramsay.
Story Impact: Rickon’s death was an emotional blow to Jon Snow and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), but it also served to galvanize Jon and his allies into battle against Ramsay. His death also underscored Ramsay’s cruelty and solidified the Starks’ hatred of the Boltons.
5- Jon Snow: Season 5, Game of Thrones, Episode 10 (“Mother’s Mercy”)
How he died: Stabbed by his own men of the Night’s Watch.
Impact: Jon Snow was murdered due to his controversial decisions, especially his alliance with the Wildlings. His death and subsequent resurrection in Season 6, Episode 2 (“Home”) reinforced his role as a leader destined to confront the White Walkers and unify Westeros.
6- Joffrey Baratheon: Season 4, Game of Thrones, Episode 2 (“The Lion and the Rose”)
How he died: Poisoned during his own wedding. In fact, just like when Ramsay Bolton died in season 6, it was a moment of relief for many viewers, given his cruelty and tyranny.
Impact: The event that became known as the “Purple Wedding” triggered a series of events that included the arrest of Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and the escalation of tensions between the Lannisters and the Tyrells. His death also paved the way for Tommen Baratheon (Dean-Charles Chapman) to assume the throne.
7- Tywin Lannister: Season 4, Game of Thrones, episode 10 (“The Children”)
How he died: Murdered by his son Tyrion Lannister, who kills him with a crossbow while he is in the bathroom, the death of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) changed the game won.
Impact: Without the patriarch, tensions within the Lannister family come to a head. Cersei (Lena Hedy) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) have to deal with the consequences of their actions without their father’s guidance, and Tywin’s absence allows their enemies, both inside and outside King’s Landing, to grow stronger.
The event also leads Tyrion, who was imprisoned and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit (the murder of King Joffrey), to escape from King’s Landing with the help of Varys (Conleth Hill), and in these new adventures, he starts to support Daenerys Targaryen ( Emilia Clarke).
For Cersei, Tywin’s death makes her even more reckless and tyrannical, which eventually leads to more chaos and destruction in King’s Landing.
8- Oberyn Martell: Season 4, Game of Thrones, Episode 8 (“The Mountain and the Viper”)
How he died: In single combat against Gregor Clegane, also known as “The Mountain”. He was brutally killed when Clegane crushed his skull with his hands.
Impact: Oberyn’s (Pedro Pascal) death had several significant repercussions because it precipitated Dorne’s revolt against the Lannisters and fueled the thirst for revenge on his lover, Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma), and the Sand Snakes, Oberyn’s daughters. Furthermore, his death led to the capture and eventual death of Tyrion Lannister, who was falsely accused of killing Joffrey Baratheon.
9- Shireen Baratheon, Season 5, Game of Thrones, Episode 9 (“The Dance of Dragons”)
How she died: Shireen (Kerry Ingram) was burned alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light, following the orders of her father, Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), and on the advice of Melisandre (Carice Van Houten).
Impact: Shireen’s death was – for me – the worst of all and was a pivotal point that marked Stannis’ downfall. This horrific act alienated many of his followers and was one of the factors that led to his subsequent defeat at the Battle of Winterfell. Remember that the episode was shown on Father’s Day in the United States.
10 – Viserys III Targaryen, Season 1, Game of Thrones, episode 6 (“A Golden Crown)
How: Viserys (Harry Lloyd) is killed by Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), the leader of the Dothraki and the husband of his sister Daenerys Targaryen. Viserys, frustrated with the lack of progress in his campaign to reconquer Westeros and impatient with Drogo, threatens Daenerys and demands her promised “golden crown.” In response, Drogo melts gold and pours it over Viserys’ head, killing him instantly. Viserys’ “golden crown” is a symbol of his greed and arrogance. He wanted a crown at any cost, but his obsession with power led to his death. The scene reflects the irony of his quest and serves as a warning about the dangers of excessive ambition.
Impact: Without her irritating and outspoken brother, Daenerys is free from the oppression and control of Viserys, who has leadership and constantly threatens and manipulates the future queen. Without him, Daenerys begins to assert herself as a leader and accept her own destiny as a Targaryen heir, gaining confidence. She becomes a central figure in the series, known for her determination to reclaim the Iron Throne and free the oppressed.
Viserys’ death also solidifies Daenerys’ standing among the Dothraki, who respect her more after seeing Drogo defend her and eliminate her abusive brother. This strengthens her position and influence within the Khalasar.
11- Daenerys Targaryen: Season 8, Game of Thrones, Episode 6 (“The Iron Throne”)
How she died: Daenerys was killed by Jon Snow, who stabbed her in the heart. Jon made this decision after realizing that Daenerys had become a tyrant, especially after the destruction of King’s Landing.
Impact: Daenerys’ death marked the end of her quest for the Iron Throne and the beginning of a new era in Westeros. Her death led to the dissolution of the Seven Kingdoms as a unified entity, with Sansa Stark declaring the North an independent kingdom. Additionally, Bran Stark was elected as the new king of the Six Kingdoms, symbolizing a shift to more meritocratic rule.
In House of the Dragon, the Deaths That Changed History (so far)
12- Harwin Strong: Season 1, House of the Dragon, Episode 6 (“The Princess and the Queen”)
How: Burned alive in a fire in the Harrenhal Fortress, alongside his father, trapped in his room unable to escape.
Impact: Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) is widely speculated to be the true father of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (Emma D’Arcy) children and his death leaves the princess without a crucial ally and possible defender of her children, increasing her vulnerability and adding tension to the fight for the throne.
Personally, the loss of Harwin deeply affects Rhaenyra, both emotionally and strategically, literally isolated. Hence his alliance with his uncle, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). In King’s Landing, the deaths of Harwin and Lyonel also impact House Strong, diminishing their power and influence at court, paradoxically paving the way for the rise of Larys Strong (Matthew Needham).
13- Laena Velaryon: Season 1, House of the Dragon, Episode 6 (“The Princess and the Queen”)
How: By choice, burned by Vhagar because she was going to die in childbirth anyway and chose to decide how.
Impact: Laenor’s death shakes the Velaryons’ vital alliance with Rhaenyra because Daemon immediately marries his niece, a marriage that strengthens his claim to the throne and unites two powerful factions, but also intensifies tension and conflict with the Green supporters. of Aegon II.
14- Lucerys Velaryon: Season 1, House of The Dragon, Episode 10 (“The Black Queen”)
How: Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) is killed by Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), her uncle, during an aerial confrontation between their dragons. This incident is a crucial turning point, as it transforms the conflict between the Greens (Aegon II’s faction) and the Blacks (Aegon II’s faction of Rhaenyra) from a political dispute into an open and bloody war.
Impact: The death of her second son provokes an intense emotional reaction in Rhaenyra, who vows revenge and becomes even more determined to fight for the Iron Throne. The death of the prince, heir to the Velaryons, solidifies the support of one of the most powerful families for the cause of the Queen of Blacks, which shakes the maritime power of the Greens. Furthermore, Lucerys’ death serves as a symbol of the brutality and inevitability of war, fueling a cycle of violence and revenge that defines the Dance of Dragons.
15- Jaehaerys Targaryen: Season 2, House of the Dragon, Episode 1 (“A Son for a Son”)
How: Little Jaehaerys is murdered in his crib, stabbed, and beheaded at the behest of Daemon Targaryen as a response to Lucerys’ death.
Impact: The extreme brutality of a commissioned death of a child less than 5 years old is indescribable and a devastating blow for Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), as he loses his heir, and even more so, he loses his firstborn.
Aegon II was already in a vulnerable position and the loss of his son not only affected him emotionally but also politically, as the lack of a direct heir further complicated the line of succession and increased tensions in the civil war. From then on, he also wants to avenge his son’s death.
Conclusion
These deaths are not only narrative shocks, but they also serve to advance the plot and develop the characters in profound and often tragic ways. Both series’ ability to create such impactful moments is one of the reasons they have such a dedicated fan base. To make matters worse, the count is only expected to increase!
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