‘Game of Thrones’ Just Killed Some of Its Biggest Characters

Game of Thrones has always been somewhat cruel, but Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 5 upped the ante on that reputation by killing off a bunch of the biggest characters in the show’s run. The Battle of King’s Landing was the horror of war laid bare…all the awful things we saw in the show’s run repeated themselves in a massacre.

**Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 5 Spoilers Ahead**

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) died in each other’s arms on tonight’s Game of Thrones. Jaime tried to sneak into the Red Keep via the caves underground, and was found by a shipwrecked Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek). The two fought and both landed awful blows. Jaime then found Cersei and attempted to rescue her from the collapsing Red Keep. After leading her to the crypts where all the dragons are kept, they discover the exit has been blocked by debris. Cersei is upset, not wanting their baby to die, and Jaime holds her. The building crashes down around them.

Meanwhile, fans finally got the long-awaited “Cleganebowl” and it, too, ended in blood. Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) snuck into King’s Landing with Arya Stark (Maisie Williams). The two made it to the Red Keep, but Sandor sent Arya away from her task to kill Cersei and faced his brother one-on-one. While the Hound managed to stab his brother in the gut, Gregor returned the favor so to speak by tossing the Hound down those spiral stairs we’ve been seeing in the revamped opening credits. The Mountain tried to crush the Hound’s skull like Oberyn’s, but the Hound used that moment to stab him in the eye. When that didn’t work, Sandor threw himself and his brother from a tower and into the smoldering dragon fire below.

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The episode was full of bloodshed, starting with the execution of Lord Varys (Conleth Hill). The Spider wasted no time trying to maneuver to put Jon Snow on the Iron Throne, but it was Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) who ratted him out. Daenerys was true to her word, burning him alive with Drogon’s fire.

Here’s a full list of everyone who fell during the fiery Battle of King’s Landing:

• A lot of innocent people. Not only did Daenerys and Grey Worm unleash their fury on King’s Landing, but wow, did you see that there were still some Wildfire caches that went off?
• Harry Strickland (Marc Rissman) and the Golden Company. (You were supposed to be so good!)
• Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) was killed by Jaime in the caves under the Red Keep. (Though he was shockingly happy about the fact that he delivered some killing blows to Jaime, smiling in death saying, “I’m the man who killed Jaime Lannister.)
• Qyburn (Anton Lesser) was killed by zombie Ser Gregor Clegane. (Oh man, I hate it when monsters turn on their creators. Oh wait, I don’t.)
• The Clegane brothers.
• Jaime and Cersei Lannister, and their unborn child.

Arya Stark was almost trampled to death in the mayhem of the battle, but saved by some smallfolk. She was crushed by falling debris, but managed to survive. Arya then attempted to lead a group of women and children through the city, only to fail. Still, Arya survives the battle.

Also seemingly dead? Jon Snow (Kit Harington) Tyrion’s faith in Daenerys. The two were horrified by Dany’s descent into sadism.

The Game of Thrones Series Finale premieres Sunday, May 19, 2019 on HBO.

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