Game of Thrones garnered a certain reputation in its earlier seasons for providing plot twists and killing off major characters. The main thing that makes certain deaths surprising, is when there is potential for further character development, and it is all cut short by an untimely death. In some cases, this enraged fans when particular characters were killed off before their time. In many cases, however, the deaths made sense in developing another character.
On the flip side, there are some characters that somewhat overstayed their welcome, surviving the many battles of the entire series, despite what logic may dictate or the wishes of the audience.
10 Should Have Made It: Margaery Tyrell
Although Margaery's death was crucial for the direction that the show went regarding King's Landing and Cersei's return to the pinnacle of Westarosi power, she was very much a fan-favorite character out of all those who resided at the capital.
Given the events that followed her death, with Olenna eventually falling as well, thus eliminating the Tyrell household, it is interesting to wonder what could have happened if Margaery was able to escape the sept, that fateful day.
9 Shouldn't Have Made It: Bronn
Bronn was definitely a fan-favorite among the Game of Thrones community, but he continually played with fire during the series, sometimes literally. While his character stayed mostly consistent through the show, a cut-throat whose main goal is to secure his own wealth and title, Bronn switches allegiance between the Lannister brothers multiple times, threatening both of their lives at different points.
He doesn't kill either brother and eventually ends up as the Master of Coin. Although fans loved him and approved of him lasting until the end, there were arguably other characters more deserving of a happy ending befitting of their personality. Cersei having him killed for not fulfilling her wishes would have been a fitting if not controversial way for his treachery to be brought to an end, and would have fueled hatred for Cersei even more.
8 Should Have Made It: Meera
Meera is an example of a character whose ultimate fate is unknown by the end of the series. She was responsible for ensuring Bran's safe return to Winterfell, before being rudely dealt with by Bran, leading to her swift departure.
With Bran exploring his gift as the Three-Eyed Raven, he saw moments involving his father Ned Stark and Meera's father Howland Reed, which led many people to wonder if an old Howland might still be alive and have some part to play. But no, present-day Howland was never introduced and Meera was completely forgotten about.
7 Shouldn't Have Made It: Edmure
Edmure Tully unwittingly brings some comic relief to the series whenever he shows up, as his incompetence is often brought to the foreground.
Fans are left wishing that the Blackfish survived instead as he was a sympathetic character that actually warranted support and stood for something. Edmure probably should have died to the Freys and Lannisters to raise the stakes even more.
6 Should Have Made It: The Hound
Sandor Clegane is another character that had an exhausting roller coaster of a character arc. Following his supposed death and recovery, he becomes a true fan favorite as he is no longer a butcher for the bad guys but instead he is driven by the thought of delivering vengeance on his brother, the Mountain. While in the final showdown, known as Cleganebowl, them both leaping off the crumbling stairs into the abyss felt slightly anti-climactic.
The vengeance was indeed fulfilled but fans arguably would prefer that the Hound had a nice peaceful resolution to his story, perhaps retiring after finally killing his brother.
5 Shouldn't Have Made It: Bran
Bran, or the Three-Eyed Raven, being crowned as the new King of Westeros, was confusing to most fans of the series. It is revealed that it was his plan all along, but even with the reveal, it didn't make complete sense.
While the Three-Eyed Raven dying before the end wouldn't necessarily make sense within the narrative that was chosen in the end, Bran dying by the Werewood tree could have become an iconic moment if it had some extra significance sewn into the narrative.
4 Should Have Made It: Varys
While Varyss' demise was a result of double-crossing the ruler he served again, even after Daenerys had threatened him with death if he ever betrayed her, Varys arguably deserved to make it to the end. Alongside Littlefinger, the two of them were the sharpest minds of Westeros, scheming and navigating their way through all of the bloodshed to stay alive.
Littlefinger eventually got what was coming to him when he betrayed Sansa again, but Varys being turned in by Tyrion before being burned alive, felt like a waste of such a good character. He could have been a valuable asset in the new council even without the need of his deceit and whispers.
3 Shouldn't Have Made It: Arya
Arya dealt the killing blow to the Night King, but her journey to that point saw her suffer fatal wounds by the hands of the Waif but somehow survived and then proceeded to only cross a small number of names off of her list. Her entire story was confusing at times and while the Starks are naturally rooted for by the masses, there were just too many unanswered questions left regarding her journey.
Arya dying to the Waif would arguably have been underwhelming as no one back home would have heard about it to give any sort of heart-wrenching reaction, but she didn't necessarily have to live to the end.
2 Should Have Made It: Jaime Lannister
Jaime's character arc was an absolute roller coaster. Fans despised him in the first two seasons, until he met Brienne and he began to change his ways.
For this arc to end with him dying with Cersei under a pile of rubble, felt like a massive disservice to the character and his development over the eight seasons. An ending that many people anticipated or at least wanted was for him to put an end to Cersei and survive until the very end.
1 Shouldn't Have Made It: Grey Worm
Grey Worm surviving to the very end of Game Of Thrones makes sense considering the events that transpired. Missandei's death triggered the ruthless and vengeful side of Grey Worm's nature, him wanting Jon Snow to be executed for killing his queen, Daenerys, and then taking the remaining Unsullied to Missandei's home of Naath.
However, it is a common opinion throughout the Game of Thrones community that the final season and its events were poorly paced and illogical at times. Grey Worm could have taken the fall instead of Jorah when protecting Daenerys from the White Walkers at the Battle of Winterfell.