George R.R. Martinhas left fans hanging for over a decade onThe Winds of Winter, the sixth instalment in his epicA Song of Ice and Fireseries, and speculation is rife that ten beloved characters from earlier books Tywin Lannister, Robb Stark, Joffrey Baratheon, Khal Drogo, Oberyn Martell, Renly Baratheon, Ygritte, Robert Baratheon, Eddard Stark, and Viserys Targaryen will stay firmly in the grave when it finally drops.
The HBO adaptationGame of Thronesraced ahead and wrapped up in 2019, killing off some figures who linger in Martin's published novels up toA Dance with Dragons, while speeding others to the chopping block much sooner. Readers who devoured the books first often recoiled at the show's divergences, like Catelyn Stark's resurrection as the vengeful Lady Stoneheart, absent from the screen.
Now, with Martin himself teasing more deaths in recent interviewsadmittinghe once plotted Sansa's demise but might spare her thanks to her TV popularity these ten stand no chance of revival. Their stories ended brutally in the pages, and while echoes of their influence ripple through Westeros, physical returns look impossible.
Tywin's end still packs a punch, even years afterA Storm of Swords. Tyrion, freshly escaped from the dungeons by Jaime, cornered his father on the privy and unleashed a crossbow bolt over slurs about Tysha, Tyrion's lost wife. That shot didn't just fell the Lion of Casterly Rock; it shattered House Lannister's iron grip, leaving Cersei scrambling and the realm's power balance teetering. Tywin haunts the series still his strategies puppeteer events from beyond the grave but don't hold your breath for a spectral boardroom comeback inThe Winds of Winter.
Robb's slaughter at the Red Wedding defines betrayal in Martin's world. Lured to the Twins for Edmure Tully's nuptials, the Young Wolf watched Frey bannermen turn arrows on his men before Roose Bolton's blade pierced his heart. Decapitated, wolf-head sewn grotesquely in place, Robb's corpse screamed finality no warging tricks or resurrections here, unlike his mother's undead turn. The North weeps for him yet, butThe Winds of Winterwill mourn from afar.
Joffrey's choked out his last on his wedding feast in that same book, pigeon pie and poisoned wine doing the deed. As Ser Meryn Trant futilely spooned his throat, the boy-king's clawing finger damned Tyrion in Cersei's eyes. His cruelty lingers in the power vacuums he left, but no encores for the sadistic monarch.
Khal's flame sputtered early, inA Game of Thrones. A chest slash festered untreated until blood magic from Mirri Maz Duur catatonicked him; Daenerys ended it mercifully with a pillow before birthing dragons amid his pyre. That Dothraki horde dream died with himThe Winds of Wintercharts Dany's path without her sun-and-stars.
Oberyn's spectacle inA Storm of Swordsmesmerised and horrified. The Red Viper speared the Mountain repeatedly, demanding Elia's murder confession, only for Gregor to pulp his skull mid-admission. Gore-drenched justice, but Oberyn's Dornish fire extinguishes there, his sisters carrying the grudge.
Renly's fell to shadow-assassination inA Clash of Kings, Melisandre's sorcery stabbing through his tent. War of Five Kings pretender, gone in a puff of magic mentions persist, but no royal resurrection.
Ygritte's arrow-riddled death at Castle Black broke Jon Snow. Cradled in his arms, her final breaths and 'You know nothing' echo throughA Dance with Dragons. Wildling passion snuffed; she'll torment memories, not pages ahead.
Source: International Business Times UK
