Throughout the eight seasons of Game of Thrones, we fall in love with a handful of characters, experience heartbreak when some (honestly, most) of them die, and are left in absolute shock with every major scheme that's played out. While the line between hero and villain is definitely blurred for the characters on this show, there are some you can't help but root for until the end and others that leave you praying for their downfall. And amid all of this, these characters are getting into and out of relationships — whether for true love or political ends.
We get to see a long list of couples form and split on Game of Thrones, and like the show itself, to say they're complicated would be an understatement. In honor of Valentine's Day, let's look back at the worst relationships on the show, ranked from pitiful to totally wicked.
The sad couples of Game of Thrones
11. Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister: In the grand scheme of things, one could argue that Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister are actually a pretty good couple, despite neither of them wanting to be in a relationship. That's because they grow to have a mutual respect for one another, and they come to an understanding that neither of them ever wanted to be together. That must be comforting, right? The two characters are in a really bad place when they're forced to marry in the third season, feeling rejected by those around them. They're outcasts in King's Landing and because of that, they bond.
At the end of the day, though, neither Sansa nor Tyrion wants to be in the place they are, and if they had a choice they would not be together. For that reason alone, they're one of the worst couples of Game of Thrones — but far, far from the worst.
10. Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen: This one still stings. Every episode of Game of Thrones is leading up to Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen's eventual meeting in the seventh season, and their relationship could've turned out so differently! Of course, nothing can change the fact that they're related, but I still think their coupling could've been handled differently. The question of who is actually the Prince That Was Promised is left to interpretation, but many fans had hoped Dany and Jon would rule the Seven Kingdoms together. There's no denying that their partnership — between Daenerys' dragons and Jon's leadership — is what defeats the Army of the Dead. But the power struggle comes between them in the end, with Jon killing her after she burns King's Landing.
Though it seems prophesied for Jon and Daenerys to come together, their relationship is also kind of doomed from the start. They deserve better.
9. Lysa Arryn and Petyr Baelish: My first reaction is to feel bad for Lysa in her relationship with Littlefinger, but honestly, they're both terrible in their own ways! This romance is one-sided from the start and only forms because Littlefinger knows it'll benefit him. As you'll remember, Lysa is Catelyn Stark's younger sister who grew up always feeling like she was in Catelyn's shadow, including romantically. Littlefinger always loved Catelyn, but Lysa always had eyes for Littlefinger, so much so that she eventually kills her own husband just because he asks her to. The power dynamics here are seriously messed up, and their relationship ends in Lysa's death at the hands of Littlefinger.
8. Cersei Lannister and Robert Baratheon: To this day, I feel so conflicted about Cersei Lannister. While she commits heinous acts of betrayal and violence, I also feel for her in so many ways. One part of her life that makes me empathetic towards her is her long marriage to Robert Baratheon. It's just sad. She's forced to marry him in a political arrangement by her father, and there is never love between them. On the contrary, Cersei is disgusted by Robert and his behavior and only gives him children because that's what is expected of her. She doesn't feel respected by him and their marriage is a driving factor in her determination to seek power for herself throughout the show. She never wants to be in that place again.
And those are some of the sad couples on the show. Next it's time to look at the very troubling ones: