Game of Thrones continues to be one of the most popular and streamed television shows of all time, but it had a nasty habit of leaving fans dissatisfied with how their favorite characters ended their time on the show, with emphasis on the final seasons.
With the first season of House of the Dragon wrapped up, fans of George R R Martin's works are being reminded that no character is safe from a brutal death or simply just a bad ending to their story arcs. Unfortunately, even some fan-favorite characters either died or ended Game of Thrones in a disappointing way.
Jaime Lannister
In the first season, Jaime Lannister pushes Bran from a window after he catches him and Cersei making love. Over the progression of eight seasons, Jaime grows as a character, s the fight against the Army of the Dead, and even has a budding romance with Brienne.
However, this all ends when he goes back to Cersei in King's Landing and ends up dying off-screen by being crushed during Daenerys' burning of the city, so his character development over eight seasons was essentially for nothing, in addition to the fact he didn't actually get a death scene.
Petyr Baelish
Littlefinger was known for his cunning plans and underhanded plotting, this is why he held the role of Master of Coin on the Small Council. He was renowned throughout Westeros for having knowledge of everyone, along with placing bets accordingly, as shown when he saves Jon and his army during the Battle of the Bastards.
Even though he was known to be one of the smartest men in the Seven Kingdoms, his life came to an end when Sansa and Arya put him to death. His life was swiftly taken in a way that showed an uncharacteristic lack of knowledge and plotting from Petyr, and so were his amazing plots and storylines.
Lord Varys
Varys is one of several clever and noble people who ultimately met their ends by the hand of Daenerys Targaryen. Although Varys was calculated at times, everything he did was for the good of the realm; he made this clear when he switched his allegiance to Daenerys and betrayed her when he saw signs of the madness that gripped her father.
Daenerys has Drogon burn Varys after he conspires against her due to fear she will indeed become Queen of the Ashes, which she does. Ultimately, Varys is right about Daenerys;, Tyrion knows this and is remorseful about the fact he had turned him in. Varys' death is completely in vain and an unsatisfying end to one of the most interesting characters on the show.
Night King
Aegon's dream, a Song of Ice and Fire, claimed there would be a promised Targaryen Prince to defeat the dead and save the living.
Fans expected to see the Night King killed by a Targaryen as the prophecy suggests; however, he was killed by Arya Stark after a fairly underwhelming battle that brought an end to a few of the series' most loved characters. Overall, the death of the Night King was disappointing, as the final battle had been built up for seasons and ended with him having a fairly quick death.
Cersei Lannister
Although she was cruel, Cersei undoubtedly loved her children and her twin brother. Cersei committed many crimes throughout eight seasons and caused the deaths of many beloved characters.
Cersei worked tirelessly to obtain power in the Seven Kingdoms, eventually becoming queen. Despite her efforts, she knows she has lost to Daenerys Targaryen, and the bell is rung to signify King's Landing has surrendered. Cersei then proceeds to be crushed with Jaime Lannister in an off-screen death that could have been cathartic to many viewers.
Daenerys Targaryen
From season one, viewers see Daenerys battle to claim her place. Over eight seasons, Daenerys becomes a fan favorite, with three dragons and many great Westerosi houses ing her.
Although her burning of King's Landing was characteristic of her father's madness, she worked hard to claim the Iron Throne. Daenerys had so much build-up as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and fans of the show didn't even get to see her rule them before Jon Snow stabbed her, ending her long-awaited reign.
Shae
Shae was the lover of Tyrion in earlier seasons of the show; along with this, she had a close relationship with Sansa Stark even if she was frequently jealous of her marriage to Tyrion.
Her death in the books was much different from that in the show. Within the series, her betrayal of Tyrion isn't really explained. Fans of the books expected to see her explain why she betrayed Tyrion. Instead, she behaves aggressively towards him until he strangles her to death, thus ending her time as a compelling character on the show.
Brynden Tully
Nicknamed the Blackfish, Brynden Tully was known to be a noble fighter in his youth. He escaped the Frey's murder of his niece Catelyn and her son Robb and took Riverrun back from the House Frey.
Blackfish was built up to be an amazing warrior. Along with the fact he had successfully escaped the Red Wedding, it was sad for fans that he wasn't afforded a proper death scene. After his death, Riverrun was taken back by the Freys, and although he was avenged by Arya when she killed House Frey, it wasn't quite the same as seeing Brynden die fighting for his home.
Melisandre
Commonly referred to as the Red Woman, Melisandre worshiped the Lord of Light and helped defeat the dead when they came to Winterfell.
Although she had some redeeming moments, such as resurrecting Jon Snow and lighting the fire that prevented the dead from entering Winterfell for a short while, she did orchestrate the killing of Princess Shireen Baratheon. Many fans would have liked to see her killed by Ser Davos Seaworth upon her return to Winterfell. Instead, she walked into the snow, removing her amulet and robe, and disintegrating.
Catelyn Stark
Catelyn Stark fiercely loved her children, which was part of her downfall. Robb's war and his marriage to Talisa Stark angered the Freys, causing them to ally with the Lannisters and the occurrence of the Red Wedding.
Book readers know that Catelyn is resurrected into Lady Stoneheart, which does not happen in the series. So not only did viewers not get to see Lady Stoneheart, but they had to endure the horror of the Red Wedding and Catelyn's life being taken just after she witnesses her son's death.