One of the defining features of Game of Thrones is the callous disregard the story has for its cast, regardless of how important they seem (or how beloved they are to viewers). Characters are forced into a number of complicated situations, from which they may either crawl out or inevitably perish in the attempt.
There are quite a few instances during which the plot takes the most abrupt turns, resulting in outcomes that are far from predictable—not to mention downright inadmissible to some fans. Game of Thrones is merciless in its plot twists, but that in itself is a large aspect of the show's unpredictable charm.
10 The Truth Behind Joffrey Baratheon's Conception
Despite Joffrey bearing no resemblance whatsoever to Robert Baratheon, the latter doesn't even realize the puzzle, let alone figure out the missing piece. After the king succumbs to his injuries, his eldest son is naturally first in line to the Iron Throne.
Ned Stark soon makes the required connections, concluding that Joffrey is the product of a relationship between Cersei and Jaime. A stunning revelation, sure, but not one that's entirely unbelievable, especially considering that the incest had been revealed to the audience in the first episode.
9 Littlefinger's Meddling Results In Ned Stark's Execution
Ned Stark surmises that Petyr Baelish never really gave up on his feelings for Catelyn, but is confident that his wife's ex-suitor would make a good ally. That is until he requests Littlefinger to muster the men of the City Watch in support of his claims regarding Joffrey.
Before anyone realizes what's happening, Ned Stark is at Baelish's mercy, and is later executed by the Crown for trumped-up charges of treason. In Littlefinger's defense, he "did warn [Ned] not to trust [him]."
8 Viserion Is Speared By The Night King
Daenerys confidently takes her three dragons on the mission to save Jon Snow and his doomed task force into the lands of winter, where she faces the most dangerous entity in the story. As Viserion soars through the air, the Night King casually picks up an ice lance and aims it at the dragon.
The surprisingly durable weapon makes contact, tearing through Viserion's throat like a knife through butter. This moment is overpowering because it clearly signifies the nigh-invincibility of the enemy.
7 Jaime Lannister's Assassination Of Aerys Targaryen
Jaime Lannister has been known as the Kingslayer for over a dozen years, a term he deems more insulting than anything else. This is because, as he explains to Brienne during their bathtub sessions, the reason he killed Aerys Targaryen had nothing to do with his desire for power.
In reality, Jaime is shocked to discover that the Mad King was willing to have "thousands of men, women, and children burned alive," and decides to put an end to the genocide before it could even begin.
6 Shireen Baratheon Is Burned At The Stake
Melisandre's knowledge of blood magic is usually on the mark, as she's been able to bring people back from the dead with a significant success rate. Unfortunately, she informs Stannis that the only way to save himself (and his freezing armies) is to sacrifice his beloved daughter, Shireen.
He rejects her proposal at first, but eventually caves and orders his child to be burned alive on a funeral pyre. R'hllor is pleased with the gift and eases the ceaseless snowfall, but it makes no difference because half the Baratheon soldiers defect after witnessing such a horrifying event.
5 Ser Jorah's Miraculous Recovery From Greyscale
Ser Jorah has all but accepted his impending death to the disease known as greyscale, but he attempts to find a cure in the Oldtown Citadel where the best Maesters make their home. He is, therefore, distraught when the Archmaester himself affirms that Jorah's condition is a lost cause.
Samwell Tarly secretly offers the patient a chance at survival but warns him that the medical procedure would be far from unpleasant. What's pleasantly surprising, however, is that Jorah comes out of the operation completely healed, allowing him to fight for Daenerys once again.
4 Daenerys Unleashes Drogon On Kraznys
Daenerys plans to bolster her growing troops with some of the most powerful warriors in the world. She travels to meet the Good Masters of Astapor, where Kraznys mo Nakloz smugly mocks her High Valyrian.
They subsequently strike a bargain—Daenerys obtains 8,000 Unsullied in exchange for Drogon, whom the slaver is more than happy to acquire. This deal is patently unfair, but she sics her dragon on Kraznys immediately after establishing ownership of the Unsullied: a spectacular turn of events that adds to Daenerys' already massive reputation.
3 Catelyn & Robb Stark Are Murdered By The Freys
The Red Wedding is among the most heartbreaking scenes in Game of Thrones even though it appears like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky. There is always some amount of suspicion when in the company of Walder Frey, but not many people expected him to betray the Starks in favor of the Lannisters.
Lothar Frey, Roose Bolton, and Black Walder kill Talisa, Robb, and Catelyn Stark, respectively, setting the entire political stage of Westeros on fire in the process. This is one night that returns to haunt House Frey in the form of Arya Stark.
2 Cersei's Wildfire Bombing Of The Great Sept Of Baelor
Cersei dismisses the notion of being held accountable by the Faith Militant and hatches her own plot in secret to handle her multi-pronged problem. Luckily for her, she gains access to a wealth of wildfire stashed underneath the Great Sept of Baelor, and takes advantage of it without a shred of shame or sympathy.
Cersei ensures that the entire building is obliterated from its very foundations, destroying dozens of dangerous enemies in a single masterstroke. The triumph of her scheme has unforeseen consequences, like King Tommen's suicide, another huge plot twist.
1 The Sand Snakes Wrest Control Of Dorne
Ellaria Sand despises Prince Doran Martell for his lack of anger over the deaths of Oberyn and Elia, ultimately assassinating him in a bid for power. Along with Tyene, Nymeria, and Obara, she manages to secure control over House Dorne after Trystane Martell is also killed.
Ellaria's coup is all the more shocking given that the people she murders (and has murdered) are a part of her family. Sadly, the Sand Snakes don't stay in power for very long, which is expected when their opponent is someone like Cersei.