"Game of Thrones" was a masterclass in shock-and-awe storytelling. The series never failed to deliver jaw-dropping deaths and mind-blowing betrayals that kept viewers fully engaged. Here are the top five surprising moments in the show that had fans in disbelief.
(NOTE: Spoilers ahead.)
Ned Stark's execution
In the first season of the show, Eddard "Ned" Stark was established as a loyal ally of the crown and an honorable man overall. Unfortunately, his unwavering commitment resulted in false treason accusations and ultimately, his execution by beheading as ordered by King Joffrey Baratheon. The shocking scene was one of the first in the series and proved that no character was safe; not even the most virtuous ones.
The Red Wedding
Arguably the most unexpected moment in the series was the Red Wedding. The Freys and Boltons' betrayal of the Starks resulted in the cruel deaths of several popular characters, including Robb Stark, Talisa, and Catelyn, during what should have been a joyous occasion. Not only were viewers left stunned, but the story took a drastically different turn from that moment on.
The Purple Wedding
Fans of "Game of Thrones" thought they had seen everything after the Red Wedding, but they were once again shocked by the death of King Joffrey Baratheon, another important character. During his wedding feast, Joffrey was poisoned, which led to his horrifying death. It was a full-circle moment of karma—however, the situation was made even more complex when Olenna Tyrell was revealed to be the culprit.
Jon Snow comes back to life
Many fans were crushed when Jon Snow was betrayed and stabbed by Night's Watch members in season five, but they regained hope when Melisandre resurrected him through a ritual. Jon coming back to life brought relief to many viewers as he was a fan-favorite character. Additionally, the situation established that resurrection was possible in the world of GoT.
The Wall comes falling down
In the series, the Wall acted as a strong defense shielding humans from threats like White Walkers and their army. The Night King breaking through in season seven was a stunning event, with the Wall falling to his dragon's power, marking a pivotal moment in the series.
