For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
*WARNING: Spoilers for Game of Thrones season eight, episode three*
Although most fans would agree that Aryra has proven herself the MVP of the Battle of Winterfell , one of the episode’s other most memorable moments arrived courtesy of Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey), the Lady of Bear Island.
Having pledged her house’s allegiance to the King of the North back in season six, Lyanna continued to prove herself a strong ally during the battle, even laying down her life to defend the castle.
Gripped by a giant wight, who crushed her to death, Lyanna still managed to deliver a deadly final blow, stabbing the creature in the eye and killing it.
When the Night King brought back the dead as wights, Lyanna was briefly resurrected, but once he was killed by Arya, she was wiped out alongside the rest of the Wights and the White Walkers.
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at WinterfellShow all 7 1 /7Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Eddison Tollet/Dolorous Edd One of the most loyal and comical characters on the show, Lord Commander Dolorous Edd was stabbed by a wight after saving his fellow Night's Watchman, Samwell Tarly. And now his watch has ended.
HBO
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Lyanna Mormont What a legend. Fans were sad to see Lady Mormonth go, but she definitely got one of the most epic deaths in the episode. After refusing to run from a charging wight giant, the dying girl uses a final ounce of strength – even as the giant is crushing her body in his hand – and stabs him right through the eye. Her death was later confirmed when the Night King raised her as a wight.
Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Beric Dondarrion It was a pretty safe bet that Lord Beric, who had died and been resurrected by his loyal friend Thoros of Myr a whopping six times, would meet his final death in this episode, given that Thoros wasn’t around to save him anymore. He was stabbed multiple times by wights as he held them off to save Arya and The Hound.
HBO
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Theon Greyjoy Theon has enjoyed one of the best character arcs in the history of Game of Thrones. After first appearing on the show as a sycophantic brat at Winterfell, he was kidnapped and tortured into becoming “Reek” for the amusement of Ramsay Bolton. Once he was rescued, he managed to redeem himself after a long journey back to Winterfell (saving his sister along the way), where he pledged to fight alongside the Starks and protect Bran. He kept his word, fighting off dozens if not hundreds of wights before the Night King and his posse turned up. Bran called him “a good man” and thanked him, upon which Theon charged at the Night King knowing his death was inevitable.
HBO
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell The Night King Technically he was already dead, but the Night King still counts given the entire build-up to episode three had been about destroying him. Right as he reached for his sword to kill Bran, Arya comes out of nowhere and attempts to plunge Littlefinger’s Valyrian steel dagger into his back. He catches her by the throat, but Arya is too smart for him. She drops the dagger into her free hand and stabs him in the stomach instead, triggering the deaths of all the wights and Wight Walkers the Night King created (literally all of them).
HBO
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Melisandre At least fans were prepared for this one. Given her knack for predicting future events, Melisandre saying she would die “tonight” at the Battle of Winterfell gave fans a pretty good idea of what to expect. Her final prophecy did indeed come true: after she used the power of the Lord of Light to help the Army of the Living, Melisandre walked into the battlefield, removed her magic necklace, and embraced her death.
HBO / Helen Sloan
Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Ser Jorah Mormont Jorah Mormont had fully redeemed his betrayal of Dany by the end of episode three (some would argue he did when he saved her life back in series six). After she fell from Drogon as he was overwhelmed by wights, Jorah saved her from imminent death and ultimately died of his injuries right as the White Walker army was defeated. It was one of the most moving scenes of the episode, with Dany mourning while Drogon watches over them.
Fans may be have been distraught, but they were also impressed by Lyanna’s heroism on the battlefield.
Williams herself has revealed that she was worried fans would feel disappointed by the fact it was Arya who saves the day.
The intense trailer for next week's episode sees everyone turn their attentions to the Iron Throne and the fate of Cersei Lannister.
The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK .
Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies