Quote:I'm not sure if you read the novels, but Ned Stark was killed exactly as depicted in the novel, and his death is essential to nearly every story line occurring in Westeros.

It's doubtful he did but surely you remember the backlash from Ned's death? Non-readers were insensed. My best friend's wife went on a 15 minute long rant after that episode and she's normally one of the most even tempered and laid back people I know...lol.


At the time, if you weren't familiar with fantasy literature much less Martin's writing...it did seem like Ned's death was a shock value killing and I accept that the "good guys never win for long" mantra extolled in this series can be a bit heavy handed. Basically, no players left in the game can be clearly described as stereotypically good imo. The two closest to that mold are both relatively minor characters for the time being in Brienne of Tarth (my second favorite character) and Samwell Tarley.


People need someone to root for and with Jon Snow out of commission for the time being, there is a noticeable void for most with Tyrion being the lone exception (but by no means is Tyrion good in the traditional sense).


Edits due to accursed autocorrect.

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