Ygritte
The non-book reader: Ugh, I’m so torn with Ygritte. On one had, she’s an evil little bitch who kills random people and helps pillage villages; on the other she’s Jon’s love. It was definitely sad seeing her die, because I feel like if it weren’t for that stupid child (who, okay, had every right to kill her; but still) Ygritte might have turned around and fought for Jon instead of against him. It was obvious Ygritte was definitely in love with Jon, and I think if she lived she would have turned around.
The reader: I am torn for similar reasons as my Unsullied cohort, but I will say that I prefer the show’s version of Ygritte’s death. In the books, Jon discovers Ygritte as she is dying, but their final standoff in the show really made the relationship memorable to me. As barbaric and brutal as Ygritte has been this season, Leslie and Harington’s acting was so beautifully raw that it was hard not to wish that they really had stayed in that cave.
Lysa Arryn
The non-book reader: Not having much emotional connection to this character and knowing/seeing that she was just a crazy bitch, I absolutely loved seeing her fall down through that moon door. That scene was totally epic, and I loved the way Littlefinger did it. His line was perfect, and it was a sweet, sweet revengeful scene that I want to watch over and over again.
The reader: Unfortunately, this scene just can’t compete with the book version for me. There’s nothing really wrong with it (aside from some so-so CGI of Falling Lysa) but the tension just wasn’t especially strong for me. I did love how Littlefinger manipulated Lysa, but overall, it left me a little cold.
Jojen
The non-book reader: Honestly, I’m mostly upset about this because Jojen was super attractive. His character, while helpful and amazing, didn’t really connect with me on an emotional level. I loved that he was there for Bran and he helped teach him about using his sight, but when he was stabbed repeatedly I wasn’t gasping or going “OH MY GOD!” It was more of a matter-of-fact death, and that was confirmed when the older man said Jojen knew he was going to die all along, so that made it even less impactful for me.
The reader: Though Jojen is still (probably) alive in the books, I’d been preparing myself for his death all season. I’ll miss him, but I think I’m more bummed out by the way he died than the fact that he did. Jojen’s physical deterioration was threaded through the season, and I was expecting to see him collapse and die in a sad, moving way. Plopping his last scene in a slightly-wacky action sequence (seriously, those skeletons looked like something out of a cheap haunted house) really drained off the impact of losing Jojen for me. It also took attention away from poor Meera, who should have had one last chance to bond with her brother, in my opinion.
Sandor Clegane
The non-book reader: I’ve wanted this ass to die the entire time, and when Arya left him screaming “KILL ME,” I basically wanted to high five her. He wasn’t taking care of her, she was his leverage and his tool to make sure he could get what he wanted. So when he finally bit the dust after fighting with Brienne (which was, by the way, an epicfight), I was ecstatic to see him in pain. Good riddance, you monster!
The reader: That’s harsh, Kyle! I’m really sad to lose Clegane’s unforgiving presence on the show, but it was the acting that really sold it for me. Rory McCann captured Clegane’s deterioration from matter-of-fact acceptance to desperate begging beautifully, and Maisie Williams’ stone-cold eyes just hammered it home.
I still think the book version wins out for me on the grounds of some excellent dialogue, but the show put up an excellent fight. My heart tore a little for Clegane’s terrible straits, and I’m genuinely worried about what this studied lack of compassion means for Arya
Shae
The non-book reader: This entire plot line with Shae confuses the hell out of me, so naturally I was also confused when she died. I get that Tyrion killed her after she attempted to kill him and finding out she’s been sleeping with his dad, but what I don’t understand is: Where the fuck did Shae’s twisted personality come from?
From the beginning we grew to like her, and she was Tyrion’s love, and then all of a sudden she betrays him (which, you know, I thought someone was forcing her to do these things) and ALSO sleeps with his dad. What the actual fuck is going on with her?! I was borderline happy and sad when Tyrion killed her, because he loved her. And I don’t understand what happened.
Re-watching the scene where he breaks up with her, I can’t help but wonder if Shae is just really that stupid, to believe that Tyrion meant the things he said. She knew what he was saying and meaning at the beginning of the scene, but are we to believe the Tyrion pushed her buttons SO hard that she does a complete and total 180 on him? Ugh. So confusing.
The reader: Unfortunately, Shae’s plotline is really confusing. The show did a lot of great work in adding depth to her character, but they lost some of that in having her follow the same steps as her counterpart in the novels.
That said, the added complexity – and the element of genuine love between her and Tyrion – makes me feel really sad about Shae’s death. I understand how betrayed and helpless (and yes, vindictive) she must have felt, and that her choices were probably extremely limited once the Lannisters had her in their grip. As with Jon and Ygritte, I’m left with a tragic sense that Shae and Tyrion could have worked out in some alternate universe. Even though I knew her death was coming, I’m sorry to see Shae go.
Tywin Lannister
The non-book reader: I, along with the rest of the fandom, am happy that Tywin is dead. From the moment Tyrion went out to go look for him with that crossbow I wanted him to find his father and shoot him, and I am so glad he did! Tywin was being an absolute jerk while confronting Tyrion and when he said Tyrion wouldn’t do it, I wanted him to even more. This particular death is one of my favorites because now it means people will be that much more free.
The reader: Okay, it’s not as satisfying as the book… but it’s still pretty damn good. Tywin’s verbal manoeuvring was totally brilliant (you have to applaud a man who puts a positive spin on admitting he’s been trying to kill his son) and I thought the show did a great job of equalizing the power dynamic – even though Tyrion was the one with the crossbow. Peter Dinklage’s dazed delivery was phenomenal as always, and my only wish is that we could have actually watched Tywin die for that final drop of sick justice.
So tell us, readers, what did you think?
Whether you’ve read the books or not, let us know what you thought of this season’s deaths on Game of Thrones! Do Kyle and Michal make good points, or do you disagree? Tell us in the comments!
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