11 Game Of Thrones Characters Who Deserved Better

Game of Thrones was a large-scale TV series with a huge cast of characters and a world spanning two continents. What made the show’s best characters so compelling was how they defied typical fantasy stereotypes. For example, Joffrey Baratheon wasn’t the noble ruler he appeared to be, instead being a cruel and sadistic king, and Ned Stark, despite being a good and honorable man, was ultimately unprepared for the ruthless politics of King’s Landing.

As a huge cinema fan, I always loved how Game of Thrones flipped everything you expect on its head. Good guys didn’t always win, and people were rarely who they seemed – it was brilliantly subversive. But, honestly, I think that’s also what eventually hurt the show. It got so sprawling, with so many characters, that the later seasons felt rushed. There just wasn’t enough time to give everyone a satisfying story arc, which was a real shame.

The TV series Game of Thrones became less impressive once it moved beyond the source material from the books. The show lost some of what made it strong – things like realistic pacing and character development, which were often achieved through slower storylines and travel.

Now that it’s been 15 years since the first episode of Game of Thrones, it’s interesting to look back at what happened to the characters. Some, like Joffrey and Ramsay, received fitting ends – few mourned their losses. Others, such as Lyanna Mormont, died as the heroes they were always meant to be.

Many characters experienced sad or unfair endings. Whether they met tragic ends or achieved their goals through sacrifice, these characters deserved better resolutions in the final season of Game of Thrones.

Brienne Of Tarth

Brienne of Tarth gets everything she’s ever worked for in the end. She achieves her dream of becoming a knight, a rare honor considering the traditions of Westeros, and eventually leads the Kingsguard under King Bran – becoming the first woman to ever hold that position. It’s a well-deserved role that showcases her abilities and strong moral character.

Despite everything, the ending feels a little unsatisfying. Brienne’s appointment feels more like a gesture than something built on a genuine connection with Bran. Also, Jaime’s return to Cersei happens quickly and without much explanation, leaving his motivations unclear.

Even so, Brienne remembers Jaime fondly, recording his deeds as a hero in the Book of Brothers. Many fans probably would have preferred to see her end up with Tormund Giantsbane, though.

Tommen Baratheon

Tommen Baratheon was too kind and naive to handle the harsh realities of being king. As soon as he took the throne, he was manipulated by those around him – his grandfather Tywin’s ambition, his mother Cersei’s controlling nature, and even Margaery’s clever schemes all shaped his reign.

People don’t care about Tommen as a person, only as a king. He’s simply a tool used by others in their fight for power, and he doesn’t even realize what’s happening. Even something as small as the death of his cat, Ser Pounce, showed how vulnerable he was. Tommen’s tragic death isn’t just sad for him, it also shows how Cersei’s increasingly extreme actions ultimately destroy everything around her, including herself.

Viserion & Rhaegal

It’s painful when a parent shows favoritism, and Daenerys’ dragons were no exception. From the very beginning, they weren’t treated equally, and even their names reflect a clear ranking. Drogon was named in honor of her husband, Khal Drogo, while Viserion was named after her feared and disliked brother, Viserys. Rhaegal, on the other hand, was named after Rhaegar, a man she didn’t really know.

Drogon becomes Daenerys’s favorite dragon, but when he misbehaves and flies off, Viserion and Rhaegal are chained up as punishment. This isn’t just about discipline, though; being kept in chains and darkness actually hinders their growth.

The dragons were at their most vulnerable when called upon to fight. Viserion was killed and turned into a wight by the Night King, and Rhaegal was shot down by Euron Greyjoy – a harsh consequence of not providing enough protection. Daenerys restored magic to the world, but she failed to safeguard her dragons.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister didn’t fall from grace all at once. He starts the series as a brilliant strategist, but after traveling to Essos – a point where the show diverges from the books – he gradually loses his confidence and ability to plan effectively.

His decisions are becoming more and more problematic—like his flawed plan when facing the Lannisters at Casterly Rock and his naive belief that Cersei would be willing to negotiate. These mistakes leave Daenerys vulnerable politically. It’s never really clear why his judgment fails so badly.

Despite ultimately serving as Hand to the King, a suitable position for someone often overlooked by his family, Tyrion Lannister feels more like a plot tool than a complete character by the end of Game of Thrones. Fortunately, Peter Dinklage’s strong performance consistently makes him engaging, even when the storyline doesn’t fully support the character.

Rickon Stark

Rickon Stark is a prime example of a character who didn’t have much screen time. We’re introduced to him as a child, but he’s absent for several seasons. He reappears briefly during the Battle of the Bastards, only to be quickly killed off. This served to further Jon Snow’s storyline and highlight Ramsay Bolton’s brutality.

Considering all the hardship the Starks had already faced, Rickon’s death felt particularly cruel and pointless. It also seemed like a result of the show trying to move too quickly in its later seasons, especially since his story differs significantly from the books.

Hodor

Hodor’s death in Game of Thrones season 6, episode 5, “The Door,” was a shocking moment for fans of both the show and the books. Author George R.R. Martin had previously hinted in his A Song of Ice and Fire series that Hodor’s name and his ultimate sacrifice were connected to a heartbreaking event involving the phrase “hold the door,” spanning across different timelines.

The episode of Game of Thrones called “The Door” revealed a shocking truth with powerful impact. However, stories that involve time loops can be unsatisfying when you look back on them, as they suggest events are destined to happen rather than the result of choices. This can diminish a character like Hodor, making it seem as though his entire life was only about one sad moment, instead of recognizing him as a kind and devoted person.

The Night King

Although the Night King’s defeat felt a little underwhelming after so much anticipation, it was always likely to happen—life has to overcome death. The show established the White Walkers as the biggest danger from the beginning, connecting them to the arrival of winter.

Many questions remain about the Night King and White Walkers, like why certain materials could harm them, and what the show intended with the hinted connection between the Night King and Jon Snow. The series often suggested Jon Snow was meant to be the Night King’s equal, but ultimately never had them face each other.

Arya finishes things abruptly, with a surprising move that goes against what viewers had anticipated throughout the series. While it cleverly defied the established predictions, the ending ultimately felt unsatisfying compared to the build-up.

Ghost

As a huge fan of the books, I’ve always felt the TV series made a trade-off: they really focused on the dragons, but at the cost of the direwolves. In the books, the direwolves are so much more important, and the connection between each Stark child and their wolf is really strong – almost like they can feel what the other is feeling. It gives the wolves a real role in the story that I didn’t quite see translate to the show.

Despite being a key character earlier on, the show gradually gives Ghost less and less to do, mainly because of budget and practical difficulties. This is especially noticeable for Ghost, who used to be constantly at Jon Snow’s side.

Towards the end of the series, the character is barely seen, and it ultimately ends with Jon dismissing him without a real goodbye. This decision was one of the most debated parts of the finale, and it highlighted how little focus was given to the direwolves throughout the show’s run.

Sansa Stark

As a huge fan of Game of Thrones, I was thrilled when Sansa Stark finally became Queen in the North – it felt like the right ending for her. But honestly, getting there was way too rough. It often felt like the writers relied on this old idea that women only become strong after enduring terrible things, and a lot of her suffering, especially with Ramsay, felt forced. Knowing the books, it always seemed like that particular storyline would have fit better with a different character, which made it feel even more frustrating to watch her go through all of that.

As a critic, I’ve always been fascinated by Sansa Stark’s arc. It’s a really smart take-down of the classic fairytale. We see this young woman initially longing for a prince and a beautiful life, but the show brilliantly exposes how quickly those dreams can turn into something truly awful. By the finale, she does get the power she always imagined – the crown – but it’s clear that achieving it came with a heavy, and often unspoken, price. It’s a really powerful and nuanced portrayal.

Sansa is now on her own, leading Winterfell as an independent ruler, but her development as a character could have felt more natural if she’d been given more control over her decisions sooner. A simpler, more cheerful outcome for her might have involved a relationship with Podrick Payne.

Meera & Jojen Reed

Jojen possessed a gentle, hopeful nature and a thirst for adventure, and Meera was an incredibly skilled and devoted friend throughout their trek north. Together, they led Bran on a legendary part of his journey, ultimately helping him find the Three-Eyed Raven.

Jojen’s death in Game of Thrones season 4 was particularly heartbreaking. He didn’t just die from the wights attacking him; he was already incredibly weak and exhausted. Meera was then left with the agonizing task of ending his suffering by killing him and quickly burning the body to prevent him from coming back as a wight, adding to the emotional devastation.

After physically carrying Bran back to Winterfell in season 7, Meera is disappointed to find he doesn’t fully acknowledge the sacrifices she and Jojen made. It’s then frustratingly left unexplained why she doesn’t appear in the Battle of Winterfell.

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2026-05-02 19:32