– Sansa staying with Joffrey… at least at the beginning

Okay, so you can’t fully blame Sansa with this decision as she was trapped, but her initial ditzy devotion to Joffrey, the brat, was mind numbingly irritating and frustrating to watch. It didn’t take her very long to realise how stubborn and twisted he was though, and it got worse for her after Littlefinger led her to an even more sadistic monster. These experiences, however, have shaped Sansa into a strong, resilient and much more intelligent and cautious person. Character development at its finest.

– Robb marrying Talisa and executing Rickard Karstark

Another tragic story, Robb was thought by many to be the true King of the North, the one who would finally vanquish the Lannisters for their betrayal. Alas, while he meant well, his choices outside of combat weren’t exactly inspired. Catelyn Stark’s decision to release Jamie was the first poor choice, and then Robb’s decision to marry Talisa put them at deadly odds with Walder Frey. Finally, there was the decision to execute Rickard Karstark, who was one of the Starks’ closest northern allies. The move left Robb in extreme danger with reduced numbers, no leverage to barter with and enemies waiting to betray him left, right and centre.

This particular arc showcased the realistic nature of failure, how things don’t always go according to plan, no matter how much we, the audience, are so desperate to see our favourite characters succeed. It also paved the way for the Red Wedding, one of the most shocking scenes in television history as he, his mother and pregnant wife are all brutally murdered.

– Oberyn fighting The Mountain

Another character we wanted to see succeed so badly ended up with a very grisly death. Oberyn, seeking revenge for the rape and murder of his sister Elia Martell, decided to take on the monstrous, seven-foot tall Gregor Clegane (aka The Mountain) as Tyrion’s champion.

Oberyn seemed to be on top of the fight the whole way through, presenting highly effective skills with a simple spear. He even had the chance to deliver the killing blow, but his demand for The Mountain to admit his guilt resulted in him having his skull crushed. Well, The Mountain did admit his guilt… Oberyn got that much at least.

– Cersei making a deal with the Faith Militant

While it’s always pleasing to see the horrible Cersei get her just desserts, it was a pretty stupid decision for her to make any agreements with the Faith Militant, the military order of the Faith of the Seven.

From the beginning we could tell the Faith Militant were a very strict and controlling force that upheld ludicrously high expectations of citizens and tried to exert control over everyone through their beliefs. Cersei ended up admitting to adultery with her cousin Lancel, leading to her walk of atonement.

You even began to feel… pity for her. Or something close to that… maybe.

But Cersei wasn’t to be a victim for long. She got her vengeance on the day of her trial, blowing up the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire.

– Everyone doubting Daenarys’ power

From the very beginning, Daenarys’ power has been disregarded due to her sensitive appearance. Now she is one of the last standing with an army at her feet and three powerful dragons.

Daenarys has faced adversity through and through and has managed to garner more power than any other leader within a short span. The doubt cast by her enemies over the first six seasons has only ended in death… or at least ash and smoke. Everyone should’ve been paying attention to the mother of dragons making moves across the water.

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(DIS)HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

• Bran climbing the tower
• Robert Baratheon choosing to go hunt
• Viserys trusting the Dothraki
• Daenerys constantly trying to get Jon Snow the bend the knee (like, calm down, Khaleesi, seriously)

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