The seventh season of Game of Thrones is drawing to a close, and that means the deaths of beloved characters are an inescapable truth fans must face.
On Sunday, the final installment of the season will air in the series' longest episode yet. Clocking in at a very specific runtime of 79 minutes and 43 seconds, the "The Dragon and The Wolf," by the looks of the title. will contain major developments for Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
But does that mean they're guaranteed to survive? Of course not. George R.R. Martin and producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are known for throwing fans curve balls, usually in the form of the gruesome, bloody death of a well-loved character.
In preparation for the finale, here's a look back at the named characters who snuffed it this season, in order from the truly mourned to the fully reviled. Of course, we'll update this with the bodies that drop during the inevitable season-ending cull.
Olenna Tyrell, Episode 3
The Queen of Thorns wasn't afraid of anything "Thrones" threw at her, even her own demise. Unapologetic as ever, Olenna didn't dwell on her past in her final moments, opting to drop truth bombs instead. "I’d hate to die like your son," she told Jaime innocently, after sipping from a poisoned drink. "Not at all what I intended." The mystery of Joffrey Baratheon's was solved in an instant and her victory over the Lannisters sealed. "Tell Cersei, I wanted her to know it was me." Respect, Queen.
Viserion, Episode 6
There are few things more heart wrenching on film than witnessing the death of a pet (remember "Marley and Me"?). But when that pet is the powerful dragon (and magical child) of Daenerys Targaryen, it's much, much worse. To add insult to injury, after the Night King pierces the dragon's throat with an ice spear, he turns Viserion into the undead enemy of his own own mother. Vicious.
Benjen Stark, Episode 6
We always wanted to see more of Benjen "Cold Hands" Stark and his heartwarming relationship with his nephew and fellow member of the Night's Watch Jon Snow. What we got was a rather fast, abrupt end when Benjen rode out of nowhere and promptly sacrificed himself, becoming lunch for a group of Wights in order to save Jon's life. It was heartbreaking as much for its drama as for its wasted potential.
Thoros of Myr, Episode 6
Poor Thoros. Being mauled by an undead bear then slowly dying of your wounds surrounded by the enemy on a forlorn rock in the middle of a frozen hellscape is on no one's list of good ways to go. Then again, the unwashed, drunken (and often charming) priest did sell Gendry to Melisandre in season four. You kinda had it coming, guy.
Tyene Sand, Episode 3
Ok, yes, the youngest Sand Snake wasn't necessarily a great character (though she was marginally better than her sisters.) Her actual death, however, stands as one of the more emotionally torturous in the series' history. With a kiss, Cersei dosed the young girl with the same poison that her mother, Ellaria, used to kill the Queen's daughter, Myrcella in the previous season. What's more, she made Ellaria watch as Tyene slowly died only inches away from her, both of them knowing full well exactly what was about to happen. It was a sad and brutal revenge.
Dickon Tarly, Episode 5
Ah yes, the death of a character not even the kindest at heart cared about. Although he died memorably when he was broiled to death alongside his father by a dragon, that's the most noteworthy thing he contributed to the series, aside from a quick flash of male hunkiness. Really, the saddest part about his death is that we won't get any more "Dickon" jokes.
Obara Sand, Episode 2
The eldest Sand Snake met a fitting demise when Euron Greyjoy impaled her in the stomach with her own signature weapon. Seems right. You may not have cheered, but you sure as hell didn't weep.
Nymeria Sand
Nymeria met a similar, and honestly satisfying, fate when she was strangled to death and hung by her own whip off the prow of a ship. Seeing as the older Sand Snakes couldn't stop bragging about the giants they planned on killing and spent their time sniping, posing and murdering unarmed people, their deaths offered some well-deserved gratification early in the season.
Randyll Tarly, Episode 5
Although Randyll is the father of fan favorite Sam Tarly, the intolerant, intolerable, grim turncoat pretty much earned his hot, hot death. "Game of Thrones" season 7 has offered few things more satisfying than seeing Drogon completely roast the mean old geezer after he refused to bend the knee. Marshmallows, anyone?
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