Most Brutal Game Of Thrones Deaths

Game of Thrones' Most Brutal Deaths

Right from the start, the hit series Game of Thrones built its reputation on gratuitous nudity and sex. Based on the George R.R. Martin novels, the series did not shy away from much of anything. In fact, some would contend it went too far in certain aspects.

Another place Game of Thrones was not shy about was its frequently shocking, gruesome, and thoroughly violent deaths. Over its eight seasons, Game of Thrones has produced numerous gratuitous deaths. Here are some of the most brutal of all.

9. Rodrik Cassel

For those of you who may not remember Rodrik Cassel (Ron Donachie), you will definitely remember his brutal death in Game of Thrones. Rodrik was the Winterfell master-at-arms who pretty much trained all on swordplay. When Theon decided to capture Winterfell, it was Rodrik who spits in Theon’s face, pretty much sealing his own fate. With Rodrik at the chopping block, Theon is unable to decapitate the man with one clean blow of his dull blade. Instead, he takes numerous hacks and when that doesn’t completely work, he has to kick Rodrik’s head for it to finally come off.

8. Walder Frey

On Game of Thrones, revenge is a dish best served cold, especially if the dish is a pie made from your enemy’s sons. This is the fate that befell Walder Frey when Arya Stark finally got to him. It took a while for Arya to exact her revenge on Walder for the Red Wedding, but she did, in fine form. She started off by serving him meat pie made from his sons, then she revealed her true identity. All of this happened right before she cleanly slit his throat.

7. Ramsay Bolton

You live by the sword, you die by the sword and in this case, Ramsay Bolton’s “sword” fate came at the hands of his hungry dogs. Bolton took sadistic pleasure in all the pain he caused the Starks, so when Sansa got her chance, she cashed in. She ties Ramsay to a chair, leaving him alone with his very hungry hunting dogs. Perhaps you thought there would be a cutaway when one dog started sniffing Ramsay’s face, licking the blood on it. You would be wrong. That first bite is brutal.

6. Shireen Baratheon

This one could be the toughest watch in all of Game of Thrones and that is saying a lot. Shireen Baratheon is one of the most likable characters in the series and her friendship and storyline with Davos Seaworth are one of the sweetest. So, when her father, Stannis, seeks to gain favor with the Lord of Light, the results are truly horrific. He sacrifices Shireen by having her bound to a stake and burning her alive. Not only is it graphic but the screams will haunt you forever.

5. Viserys Targaryen

Viserys’ death comes in Season 1 of Game of Thrones, but it was one that helped set the tone for future seasons. Viserys is Daenerys’s (Emilia Clarke) abusive brother, who marries her off to Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa). Feeling more full of himself, he chooses to pop off to Khal, telling Khal that he will cut out the unborn baby from Daenerys stomach. Khal then decides it is time to give Viserys what he craves – a crown. So, Khal melts down a bunch of gold treasure, then pours the molten mess on Viserys head.

4. Meryn Trant

There is probably not one Game of Thrones fan who was sad to see Meryn Trant (Ian Beattie) meet his maker. Trant was an overly sadistic man who had a disgusting sexual appetite. So, it was fitting that Arya finally did the honors, stabbing Meryn in the eyes while torturing him. But it wasn’t until she finally put him out of his misery with a final knife slice across his throat that fans could cheer.

3. Oberyn Martell

Talk about violent and gruesome. It was a battle that almost saw Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) beat the mighty Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane. Volunteering to fight in Tyrion’s stead, Oberyn is seeking Gregor’s confession as to who ordered his sister’s death. Gregor is able to trip up Oberyn, finally getting his hands on him. It ends with one of the most graphic and brutal scenes as Gregor literally punches Oberyn’s face in, gouges his eyes out, then crushes his skull until his head is just a pile of mush.

2. Robb, Catelyn, and Talisa Stark

In this truly brutal Game of Thrones scene, we get a three-for-one that lives up to its name as the “Red Wedding.” This legendary scene sees the Starks attending a feast given by Lord Frey, not knowing that it is a ruse to get the Starks in one room. As the feast is ongoing, the attack begins with Robb getting cut down by numerous arrows. Catelyn then gets her throat graphically cut, but the worse comes with the death of Talisa. She is pregnant and repeatedly stabbed in her belly, killing her and her unborn child.

1. Ned Stark

The death of Ned Stark (Sean Bean) was the absolute tone-setter for Game of Thrones. Ned Stark was an honorable man who appeared to be set for a long run on the series. Even when it appeared that things might work out for Ned – a lie to protect his daughters – there was hope. Eventually, though, King Joffrey Baratheon discovered the lie and ordered Ned to be publicly beheaded. It was a shocking execution that rocked season one of Game of Thrones.