We Legitimately Forgot How Many Important Characters Die in Game of Thrones Season 1

The death that started the battle between Houses Lannister and Stark, Jon Arryn's death happens off screen in episode one, but it 's a major death in Game of Thrones nonetheless. After Jon's death, Catelyn Stark receives a message from her sister, Lysa, accusing the Lannisters of killing her husband. It's revealed in later seasons that Lysa poisoned her own husband at the request of Petyr Baelish.

The younger brother of Rhaegar Targaryen and son of the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen, Viserys was focussed on reclaiming the Iron Throne for himself. Impatient and petulant, Viserys meets his end when Khal Drogo pours melted gold onto his head in episode six, which Drogo aptly calls "a crown for a king."

While hunting, King Robert Baratheon is attacked by boar. He eventually succumbs to his wounds in episode seven, leaving his bastard "son" Joffrey to inherit the Iron Throne. It is an unceremonious end for the king that leads to the bloodshed in the following seasons.

As soon as King Robert has died, blood runs red through the streets of King's Landing. One of the more heartbreaking deaths in the first season is Syrio Forel, Arya's sword fighting teacher. During a lesson in episode eight, Syrio and Arya are ambushed by Lannister guardsmen. Syrio tells Arya to run away, saying, "What do we say to death?" "Not today," she replies.

After revealing the illegitimacy of Joffrey Baratheon, Ned Stark is tricked into confessing the false claim that he intended to take the Iron Throne for himself following King Robert's death. After admitting this, he proclaims Joffrey the true king. Unsatisfied and ignoring his mother's council, Joffrey orders Ned's execution as his two daughters watch on in episode nine.

After being injured and with his wound festering, Khal Drogo falls from his horse, leaving Daenerys to ask Mirri Maz Duur to use her witchcraft to save him. Mirri does, but leaves Drogo in a vegetative state. After losing their child, Daenerys smothers Drogo in an act of mercy in episode ten in order to end his suffering.