Game Of Thrones has always been know and loved for its demeanor of executing "important story driving" characters. But if anything, nature of human is to adopt. After few shocking deaths audience learned to stop expecting anything. This being a fantasy & fictional series, writers had a leeway to bring the dead character back into play whenever they felt the need to. As they already had deviated a bit from original book by George R. R. Martin, which led many people to believe that the script writers are going somewhat rouge and would ruin the story in the series. But, halfway through it was clear every script writer that had a part in it was worth their salt. They didn't bring back as much dead characters as hey could have, keeping the audience amazed. Many other might have brought back few characters that were highly appreciated by audience, but these people didn't.
Game of thrones was not such a big show at the beginning, but it was the death of a character which really put Game Of thrones on Map at a very big pedestal .
The death of Eddard "Ned" Stark. Still and always will be the most unexpected character execution in the history of media entertainment. No character in the whole series looked as suited to sit on Iron chair as him. The build of chair only suited him and then maybe Tywin Lannister.
Second shock came with death of his Son Robert Stark. Many believed Ned Stark was killed to make way for the character of Rob Stark to flourish and be the center of attention. After Ned's death Rob was portrayed in manner which led audience to believe that this character was here to stay, but as "unexpected" he was killed too. This marked the point in series where audience believed the words of Arya Stark said "Anyone Can Be Killed".
Then came the death of Joffery Baratheon. One of the most hated characters in Game Of Thrones, Credit of which goes to the acting Jack Gleeson. He amazingly portrayed the character on screen, he may not be appreciated within the general viewers due to hatred toward his character of "Joffery", But! those who know, knows what an incredible job he did in playing the character.
Soon enough, the fall Oberyn Martell came. He was the only one character in Game Of Thrones who lived lavishly and with freedom in the Kings Landing even after making his intention, hatred and willingness to kill Tywin Lannister "Hand Of The King" at the time. Though the character didn't survived much longer, he gained appreciation of viewers almost as fast as Ned Stark.
Then it came time for Tywin Lannister to die. For many viewers the death of Tywin Lannister was as shocking as the death of Ned Stark. And this after the fact that viewers had realized that the series is know for killing main characters, still no one expected for Tywin to die the way he died.
To some viewers death of Petyr Baelish was unexpected and to most viewers the moments that lead to his execution was unexpected. It may not be as unexpected death as any other, but it does take the crown for having the most unexpected moment of trail followed by quick execution. This killed the quench of viewers who constantly kept on expecting more better thrills from series.
Now, the Death of Night King. Although many people believed/expected he would die, but some even believed he might live, but almost everyone thought he wouldn't die at his very first battle at Winterfell. Maybe, he would fight and retreat to fight another time, maybe he would force livings to abandon North and migrate to south for another fight. But for him to die this fast wasn't expected at all.
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