After an 82-minute marathon that saw many of our favorite characters fall in the Battle of Winterfell, it’s time to take a breath and honor the fallen. Warning: if you haven’t yet seen the episode, please turn back now, because we’re going to be talking about each and every agonizing death, meaning we’re going to be jumping head-first into a sea of SPOILERS. See you on the other side.
Still here? Good, let’s begin the group therapy session.
The first character we need to talk about is the brave and valiant Lady of Bear Island, Lyanna Mormont. Lyanna and her men were in charge of protecting the front gate of Winterfell, and when an undead giant smashed through, she brandished her obsidian weapon and charged.
At first, the giant swatted her away, but Lyanna Mormont wasn’t done just yet; she charged again and it picked her up, squeezing her until her bones cracked. But just as the giant was about to throw her down, Lyanna used her last breath to stab it in the eye with an obsidian dagger, saving the already tired and broken soldiers inside the walls. There will never be another Lyanna Mormont. The gods broke the mold when they made her.
Speaking of House Mormont, Ser Jorah gave his last to protect his Khaleesi and kept her alive when the undead swarmed Drogon and knocked her off his back. Although Daenerys picked up an obsidian sword and fought as best she could, Ser Jorah wielded Heartsbane — the Tarly family Valyrian steel sword given to him by Sam — and took down more wights than I could count.
Sadly, Ser Jorah Mormont, son of Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch Jeor Mormont and cousin to the Lady of Bear Island Lyanna Mormont, died in service to his queen, which is something he was more than willing to do. Jorah loved Dany, and even when it became clear she didn’t return his feelings (at least not that way), he still stayed loyal. To the last.
Rest in Peace, Ser Jorah, we’ll never be able to make another Ser Friendzone joke again…and that’s okay with me.
His name was Eddison “Dolorous Edd” Tollett, acting Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, proud and loyal friend to Samwell Tarly and Jon Snow. He was dour in just about every aspect of his life, which is one of the reasons we loved him so. He was a proud son of House Tollett of the Vale, and he served with his brothers in the Night’s Watch with distinction and honor. We shall never see his like again. And now his watch is ended.
Beric Dondarrion was a loyal acolyte of the Lord of Light. We learned in “The Long Night” from Melisandre the reason R’llhor kept bringing him back to life was so that he could save Arya Stark so she could save humanity. He carried out his purpose and died in the process. Thoros wasn’t around to resurrect him this time, and now he is at peace.
Theon Greyjoy has been on quite the redemption arc, hasn’t he? From being tje cocky ward of Lord Eddard Stark to taking Winterfell and betraying Robb Stark’s trust to being tortured mercilessly by Ramsay Bolton to escaping with Sansa Stark and reuniting with his sister Yara, his life has been a roller coaster.
But when he rescued his sister and returned to Winterfell to protect Bran against the Night King and his minions — a task he had to know would end badly — Theon finally became what he always wanted to be: “A good man.” What a way to go out. You may have been a Greyjoy by name, but you were a Stark in our hearts.
I guess Melisandre was just hanging around Winterfell so she could make a dramatic entrance…and boy-howdy what an entrance it was. She aided the defenders of Winterfell with her fire magic, and foretold that Beric had finished his service by protecting Arya.
Melisandre went out on her own terms: walking out of Winterfell, removing the necklace that kept her looking young, and falling to dust on the battlefield. She may have committed some irredeemable acts, but she still did her part. Thanks to Melisandre, the night isn’t so dark and full of terror anymore.
Also, The Night King is dead, and all it took was some fancy knife work from Arya to finish him off.
Oh, and in case you were wondering: Yes, we count dragons as people too. Viserion may have ended his life on the side of evil, but he was once a beloved child of Daenerys Targaryen. It’s always sad when a pet that can breathe blue flame and make magical Walls crumble dies. RIP Viserion, you were a cool bad dragon.
Did we miss any deaths? Maybe some Dothraki and Unsullied? If we did, let us know in the comments below.
To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels