One of many keystones of fashionable tradition within the 2010s was HBO’s Game of Thrones. Based mostly on the A Tune of Ice and Hearth books by George R. R. Martin, the present particulars the lives of quite a few noble households break up between two continents: Westeros, dominated by seven kingdoms unified beneath one crown, and Essos, the place every metropolis is an impartial state. As everybody vies for energy in an ever-changing political panorama, magic returns to the world within the type of dragons and a military of the undead.
The sophisticated net of political intrigue ensnared audiences due to the crafty of the characters and the plot’s stunning twists and turns. A few of the most memorable got here within the type of backstabbing and betrayals, due to comprehensible character motivations, shock worth, and the way it impacted the story going ahead.
10
Elaria Sand Kills Home Martell to Avenge Home Martell
“The Purple Lady” (Season 6, Episode 1)
Following the demise of Prince Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal), his paramour, Ellaria Sand (Indira Anne Varma), recruited his eldest daughters, the Sand Snakes, to assist her get revenge on the Lannisters by killing Princess Myrcella Baratheon (Aimee Richardson and Nell Tiger Free). Oberyn’s older brother, Prince Doran (Alexander Siddig), halted the primary try, however Myrcella was poisoned and died at sea. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes then kill Doran and, due to the facility of teleportation, in some way get onto Myrcella’s ship to kill Doran’s son, Prince Trystane (Toby Sebastian).
This twist exists so the writers can wrap up the universally hated Dorne plot, but it surely does include just a few parts that make it brutal in universe. Ellaria and the Sand Snakes have fallen so deep into their vengeance that not solely are they wiping out what’s left of Oberyn’s household, whom he cherished dearly, however they’re additionally displaying no concern for kinslaying, one of many best sins in Westeros. If this betrayal had come after extra time to correctly construct as much as it, perhaps it might have labored, however as is, the brutality is misplaced beneath a mountain of plot contrivances and horrible dialogue.
9
“I Have Solely Ever Liked One Lady”
“Mockingbird” (Season 4, Episode 7)
In an try and lastly be along with her love, Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), Lysa Arryn (Kate Dickie) follows his directions to poison her husband, Jon Arryn (John Standing), and body the Lannisters, thus kicking off the plot of the present. Petyr and her are finally wedded when he turns into Lord of Harrenhal, however he additionally kisses Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) as a result of unrequited love he had for her mom, Catelyn (Michelle Fairley). Lysa’s paranoia leads her to nearly kill Sansa, however Petyr calms Lysa down earlier than coldly revealing the reality and pushing her to her demise.
Petyr is one of GoT‘s best villains, and this twist is an effective reminder of how ruthless he’s. Whereas he by no means cherished Lysa, she proved to be a helpful asset in his quest to gather extra energy and authority, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to spare her as soon as she proved to be too uncontrollable. The truth that he tells Lysa he solely cherished her sister is the ultimate twist of the knife, guaranteeing Lysa is aware of that every one her familial betrayals have been for nothing as she plunged to her demise.
8
Theon Betrays Robb
“What Is Lifeless Might By no means Die” (Season 2, Episode 3)
When Robb Stark (Richard Madden) is made King within the North, he sends Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) to his father, Balon (Patrick Malahide), with phrases for an alliance. Nevertheless, Balon decides to make use of the chaos in Westeros to crown himself King of the Iron Islands and declare the North by proper of conquest. Theon finds himself torn between loyalty to his household and his friendship with Robb, however finally sides along with his father.
Earlier than Theon makes up his thoughts, he writes a letter to Robb, making the viewers really feel like he’ll aspect along with his adoptive brother over his bodily and emotionally abusive father. Sadly, Theon burns it and commits himself to the shock assault. This act snowballs right into a collection of terrible decisions that sees Theon capture Winterfell within the episode “The Outdated Gods and The New,” and kill anybody who resists, together with the fort’s grasp at arms, Sir Roderick (Ron Donachie).
7
Shae Sleeps with Tywin
“The Youngsters” (Season 4, Episode 10)
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Earlier than fleeing Westeros to keep away from execution for the demise of King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) sneaks his manner into the Tower of the Hand to confront his father, Tywin (Charles Dance). There, he finds his former lover, Shae (Sibel Kekilli), who was final seen giving false testimony at his trial. She is mendacity on Tywin’s mattress and calls out for “her lion,” when she hears Tyrion enter, although their reunion rapidly turns violent.
One might make a justification for Shae talking on the trial as a result of Tyrion broke her coronary heart in an try to save lots of her life, however there isn’t any strategy to justify how rapidly Shae reaches for a weapon and tries to homicide Tyrion. It is the ultimate affirmation that any probability the 2 had for a future collectively was shattered, and Tyrion is pressured to strangle her in self-defense. Her presence in Tywin’s quarters additionally reveals that Tywin, who all the time chastised Tyrion for his love of intercourse staff, was extra hypocritical than first thought.
6
“I Did Warn You To not Belief Me”
“You Win or You Die” (Season 1, Episode 7)
Having discovered that the youngsters of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) are the product of incest between Quen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and her twin, Ser Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) makes plans to safe the throne for Robert’s brother, Stannis (Stephen Dilane) because the king is on his deathbed. He requests the assistance of Petyr Baelish in rallying the Gold Cloaks to his trigger, although Petyr suggests it might be higher to make use of this info to regulate Joffrey. Eddard goes forward with the plan, however Petyr activates him and orders the Gold Cloaks to kill his males.
At this level, Petyr was actually a shady particular person, however resulting from his love for Catelyn, he introduced himself as an ally to Eddard and provided to navigate him by way of the complicated lies of King’s Touchdown. This betrayal solidified him as one of many present’s most crafty minds, in a position to play either side and benefit from the chaos. It additionally highlighted the problem with Eddard’s code of honor, as in a world as corrupt as King’s Touchdown, individuals are extra keen to combat for energy or private achieve than to do what is correct by the regulation and customary decency.
5
Stannis Burns His Daughter
“The Dance of Dragons” (Season 5, Episode 9)
Whereas trying to march on Winterfell, Stannis’ military is beset by horrible climate and sabotage by Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) and twenty good males. Determined to show his luck round, he turns to the Purple Priestess of R’hllor, Melisandre (Carice van Houten), who claims that there’s energy within the blood of kings. Thus, Stannis allows her to burn his only child, Princess Shireen (Kerry Ingram).
Till Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) burned down King’s Touchdown, this was maybe the perfect instance of character assassination in Recreation of Thrones. Stannis is outlined by his unwavering perception in obligation, justice, and regulation, so not solely ought to he be towards kinslaying, however even when the sacrifice labored, he now has no inheritor, so what was the purpose? In the end, it would not matter, as he loses to the Boltons and is executed by Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), which makes this betrayal really feel like pointless shock worth.
4
The Purple Wedding ceremony
“The Lion and the Rose” (Season 4, Episode 2)
Joffrey’s wedding ceremony to Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) solidifies the alliance between Home Lannister and Tyrell, making them the strongest pressure in Westeros. Nevertheless, Joffrey makes an ass of himself by tormenting Tyrion all through the entire affair, after which he’s assassinated by way of poison and dies in his mom’s arms. Whereas everybody believes Tyrion is accountable, the wrongdoer was truly Margaery’s grandmother, Olenna (Dame Diana Rigg), in partnership with Petyr Baelish.
The murder of Joffrey is effective on so many ranges: not solely is it cathartic to see one of many present’s most important antagonists lastly chunk it, but it surely comes as a shock on condition that the Lannisters are on the peak of their energy. Whereas Petyr labored in direction of regicide to rescue Sansa, Olenna did it out of affection for her granddaughter, as with Joffrey lifeless, she would as an alternative marry his kinder youthful brother, Tommen (Callum Wharry and Dean-Charles Chapman). It is an occasion that sends ripples all through Season 4 and reveals how one thing so simple as Sansa telling the Tyrells the reality about Joffrey’s character can have unexpected penalties down the road.
3
Cersei Kills Her Allies
“The Winds of Winter” (Season 6, Episode 10)
After the demise of Tywin, Cersei did an exquisite job of ruining Home Lannister’s place by destroying the alliance with Home Tyrell and permitting the Excessive Sparrow (Sir Jonathan Worth) to re-establish the Religion Militant. Whereas this did result in Margaery’s arrest, Cersei additionally discovered herself imprisoned for the crime of incest and adultery, and a trial was set to resolve the destiny of each queens. Nevertheless, Cersei used the chance to make use of King Aerys II Targaryen’s (David Rintoul) stashes of Wildfire to explode the Sept of Balor, killing the Excessive Sparrow, most of Home Tyrell, and even her uncle, Sir Kevan Lannister (Ian Gelder).
This betrayal shocked audiences due to the visible marvel that’s the Sept’s destruction, and the unbelievable build-up, which fits a great distance into making the episode Game of Thrones’ best finale. In a single transfer, Cersei worn out all those that would stand between her and absolute energy, although not with out a value. Not solely does this depart her politically remoted and drives the remaining Tyrells to aspect with Daenerys, but it surely additionally results in the demise of Tommen and additional erosions in her and Jaime’s relationship.
2
“For the Watch”
“Mom’s Mercy” (Season 5, Episode 10)
Whereas conflict rages throughout the Seven Kingdoms, Jon Snow (Equipment Harington) and the brothers of the Evening’s Watch stand agency towards Wildling invaders and a military of the lifeless led by legendary White Walkers. When Jon turns into Lord Commander, he makes the controversial choice to ally with the Wildlings and produce them into Westeros, reasoning that it is higher to combat alongside them towards the lifeless than add to the approaching military by killing one another. Not everybody agrees with Jon; one night time, a bunch of them led by Ser Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) stab Jon to demise whereas repeating “For the watch.”
Deaths of main characters have been commonplace by this level within the present, however Jon’s demise is especially brutal as a result of he is doing the proper factor. Whereas Eddard and Robb’s deaths have been attributable to a refusal to compromise on morals and damaged vows, Jon’s got here from man’s incapacity to look previous prejudices, even within the face of mutual annihilation. After all, Jon would not keep lifeless for lengthy, however on the time it appeared just like the final most important character who could possibly be thought of “good,” was killed off.
1
The Purple Wedding ceremony
“The Rains of Castamere” (Season 3, Episode 9)
When Robb Stark went to conflict with the Lannisters, he agreed to marry one of many daughters of Walder Frey (David Bradley) in alternate for his military and using his bridge. Nevertheless, Robb broke the wedding alliance when he married Talisa of Volantis (Oona Chaplin), however he tries to patch issues up by marrying his uncle and lord of Riverrun, Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies), to Roslin Frey (Alexandra Dowling). Walder accepts, however the wedding ceremony rapidly turns right into a massacre as he and Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) slaughter the Stark military, in addition to Robb, Talisa, and Catelyn.
The Red Wedding remains one of the most shocking moments in tv historical past thanks not solely to its brutality and the lack of fan-favorite characters, however as a result of it makes good sense how we obtained right here. This is not demise for the sake of shock worth, however the end result of a number of dangerous selections that alienated Robb from his allies, who as an alternative turned to Tywin Lannister. It introduced the Starks to their lowest level, and whereas the present would have many extra betrayals earlier than the top, none can match the uncooked feelings of the Purple Wedding ceremony, nor re-create the hole feeling left in its wake.
