Game of Thrones is perhaps best known for killing its darlings with impunity, but that's exactly how a cruel world filled with self-serving people functions. Playing the game of thrones can have a variety of results, each depending on the amount of power a particular character possesses. In other words, the meek do not inherit Westeros.

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On the contrary, they are devoured alive as a message for those who might be considering a career in politics. Game of Thrones stretches its characters' physical, mental, emotional, and moral capacities to breaking point and beyond. That said, there are a few characters whose deaths come way too late in the storyline.

10 Euron Greyjoy's Self-Important Ramblings Get Tiresome Very Quickly

Euron Greyjoy grinning aboard his ship in Game of Thrones.

Euron Greyjoy enters the story a lot later than most main characters, but his core persona is categorically creepy. He is proud of his violent accomplishments, gloating about all the people he has killed over the course of his pirate profession.

Euron's behavior borders on the depraved from the moment he sets foot on screen, and his self-important ramblings get tiresome very quickly. He displays his trademark arrogance when challenging Jaime to a deathmatch, one that he ends up losing, much to the audience's delight.

9 Petyr Baelish Should Have Been Killed The Moment He Betrayed Ned

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in Winterfell in Game of Thrones.

Petyr Baelish has a finger in every political pie in Westeros, including the Lannisters', the Starks', the Tullys', the Arryns'. If he had his way, even Daenerys Targaryen might have fallen for his cunning ruses.

He destroys countless lives in order to further his goals, but his long-term plan collapses in on itself when Bran Stark's prophetic ability uncovers Littlefinger's deceptions. Baelish should have been killed the minute he betrayed Ned Stark.

8 Joffrey Baratheon Dies A Gruesome Death But A Little Later Than Necessary

King Joffrey Baratheon on the Iron Throne Game of Thrones

There aren't many (or any) positive things one can say about Joffrey Baratheon. He basks in the misery of other people, particularly those who slight or besmirch his name in any way. Joffrey's vision of kingship revolves around his unbridled ego: he actually believes that his regal privileges are an extension of his "divine" will.

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Olenna Tyrell brings about Joffrey's death during the Purple Wedding because she doesn't want her granddaughter to suffer the same fate as Sansa. There's no reason why his assassination couldn't have happened sooner, though.

7 Tywin Lannister's Fate Was A Long Time Coming

Tywin Lannister in the Red Keep Game of Thrones

Tywin declares that he loves his children more than anything else, but his words are meaningless in the face of his actions. Not only does he consistently abuse Tyrion throughout his son's life, but he also rarely spares Jaime and Cersei's feelings.

Tywin's cutthroat sense of business helps him establish House Lannister as the most powerful family in Westeros. Unfortunately, he fails to understand that his kids are individuals with their own thoughts and opinions. Tyrion kills his father after he discovers Shae in Tywin's bed, a fate that was a long time coming.

6 Roose Bolton Could Have Been Taken Out At The Red Wedding

Roose Bolton

Roose Bolton embodies the ideals of House Bolton and its Flayed Man philosophy. He discards the very notion of ethical behavior in favor of amassing power, which he does at great cost to others.

Roose maneuvers House Stark towards its doom, but his mistake is not realizing that Robb isn't the most dangerous member of the family. One can only imagine the number of lives that would be saved if Roose were taken out at the Red Wedding along with Walder Frey.

5 Daenerys Targaryen Lives Long Enough To See Herself Become The Villain

Daenerys Targaryen standing in the ruins of King's Landing Game of Thrones

For eight seasons, Daenerys emits a radiant aura that convinces people to lay down their arms and submit to her majesty. She fights off the Night King and his army, despite knowing that the battle would severely weaken her forces, as she knows that eternal Winter is likely to be the biggest threat on the continent.

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However, Daenerys eventually falls prey to her emotions and massacres those she is supposed to protect. Jon has no option but to assassinate her after this point, although he should have done so earlier.

4 Gregor Clegane's Survival Is Probably Linked To The Inevitable Cleganebowl

Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain That Rides, training against prisoners Game of Thrones

Gregor Clegane, better known as The Mountain, is as abominable as he is gigantic. He enjoys torturing people, usually to death. The more innocent his victims are are, the more joy he feels.

Oberyn's venom-augmented attack should have killed Clegane on the spot, but the Red Viper's overconfidence prevents this from happening. The Mountain survives the fight and mutates into a literal monster, probably so fans could experience their Cleganebowl moment.

3 Olenna Tyrell's Family Is Exterminated Long Before She Dies

Olenna Tyrell Holds A Scroll While Flanked By Two Guards

Olenna Tyrell certainly doesn't deserve to die, but she lives long enough to see her beloved family practically exterminated. She lingers just a bit longer so she can convey the truth about Joffrey's death to Cersei, a final sting before her inevitable death.

Olenna has no living relatives left, nobody to inherit House Tyrell and Highgarden after she passes, which is a matter of great grief for her. Killing her off before her children and grandchildren would have been an act of mercy.

2 Cersei Lannister Nearly Allows Westeros To Fall Into Icy Ruin

Cersei Lannister Game of Thrones

Cersei Lannister, like Olenna, outlives her children - a pain that no mother should ever endure. However, she rapidly acclimates to Tommen's death and crowns herself the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She intends to carry on the Lannister legacy in the light of everything that's already happened.

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Cersei is willing to let the White Walkers invade Westeros, despite the possibility that Daenerys & Jon will lose the fight. If only Jaime had the courage to end his sister's mindless tyranny.

1 Beric Dondarrion Cannot Cheat Death Forever

beric game of thrones

Beric Dondarrion is an exceptional warrior, dying no less than seven times in eight seasons. He is impaled, stabbed, pierced, sliced open, and shot. Beric is resurrected each time with R'hllor's blessing and Thoros' prayers, although he admits that the revival process isn't very healthy for him.

Beric finally dies for the seventh time at the Battle of Winterfell, but his sacrifice gives Arya the courage to take on the Night King. Nobody is capable of cheating death forever.

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