14 Years Later, This Game of Thrones Death Is Overrated in TV History

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For fourteen years now, the series premiere has aired on HBO, and the pilot episode kicked off with quite an impact. The viewers are introduced to the Starks, a noble family who rule the North, with Eddard (Ned) Stark as their patriarch. Right from his initial encounters with his kin and a deserter from the Night’s Watch, it becomes evident that Ned is guided by duty and takes his responsibilities very seriously. Later on, the Baratheons and Lannisters come to Winterfell at King Robert’s invitation, as he intends to appoint Ned as his advisor or Hand of the King.

Ned Stark isn’t particularly happy because he dislikes living in the capital, yet feels bound to endure. For years, King Robert has been his friend, and they share a deep bond. However, upon reaching King’s Landing, things take a turn for the worse, and by the second-to-last episode, viewers are left stunned. In the end, Ned Stark is beheaded for treason. This plot twist caught many non-book readers off guard and left them reeling throughout the series, which lasted eight seasons. But was that reaction warranted?

Game of Thrones‘ Most Honorable Man Had No Talent for Politics

The Starks are unwaveringly faithful, yet hard-headed. Ned Stark, their second son, was not groomed for leadership roles. This fact surfaces in King’s Landing during two distinct dialogues – first with Cersei, and later with Varys. Originally, Ned Stark was destined to serve as a soldier, potentially earning knighthood; however, being the second-born son, he stood to receive no inheritance since only the eldest inherits the family’s estates and titles. His elder brother, Brandon, would inherit Winterfell and marry Catelyn Tully. Unfortunately, after Lyana Stark vanishes, both Brandon and their father travel to King’s Landing to confront King Aerys over this matter, ultimately leading to their untimely deaths.

In a new turn of events, Ned assumes the leadership role within the Stark clan and marries Catelyn instead. Though he diligently fulfills his responsibilities, his lack of prior preparation for this position causes him challenges in navigating court politics. As Warden of the North, Ned excelled and earned admiration from its inhabitants, but King’s Landing presents a stark contrast, as being a Hand necessitates skillful negotiation and tact, areas Ned has not previously encountered.

Upon reaching King’s Landing for his new position as King Robert’s Hand, Ned delves into the enigmatic demise of Jon Arryn, finding himself ensnared in a complex net of rumors and machinations. Varys and Littlefinger guide him, yet manipulate him with his enthusiasm; however, they underestimated his unyielding candor. Valuing honor above all, Ned disregards any potential repercussions. Once he discerns that certain facts aren’t as they seem, he commits a major blunder – he confides in Cersei. Varys later criticizes him for this, but by then, Ned is already confined to a cell.

Cersei might have eventually carried out her plan to get rid of Robert, but Ned’s accusation prompted her to move forward more quickly with it, so as to keep Robert from discovering the truth. During a boar hunt, Robert was mortally wounded and requested that Ned write down his dying wish: that Ned would serve as Regent until Joffrey reached maturity. Although Ned’s subtle deception in writing “rightful heir” instead of Joffrey’s name was shrewd, it was ultimately the consequences of his subsequent actions that led to his tragic demise.

In hindsight, both Renly and Littlefinger had sound strategies, as Ned could have strategically held onto Joffrey, taken him into custody, and then contemplated whether to install Stannis as king later on. However, making such a crucial decision in haste was not well-considered. Littlefinger manipulates him into meeting Robert’s bastard Gendry at the last minute, but it’s clear that he does so to gain time for plotting with Cersei. Everyone warned Ned against sending an immediate message to Stannis because they knew securing Joffrey was crucial before naming any potential heir, yet Ned persisted in his obstinacy.

When Ned was apprehended in the royal hall, he publicly declared once more in court to Joffrey that he held no right to rule, a move that ultimately proved disastrous. In hindsight, it would have been wiser for him to submit temporarily, keeping his claim hidden until he was securely back at Winterfell. However, Cersei urged him to pledge allegiance to Joffrey and return to the North, but her veiled threat went unheeded. Time after time, Ned demonstrated poor judgment in his political strategies.

A Predictable Ending to Many Mistakes

Viewers were taken aback when Joffrey commanded Ser Meryn Trant, and while this reaction was justified, Ned’s fate had been foreshadowed, even if it was unexpected for many. From the very first episode of Game of Thrones, unpredictability has been a key element. Who would have thought Bran would fall from a window, or that Cersei and Jaime would engage in an incestuous relationship? Although it was unusual to eliminate a main character early on in the 2010s, it was logical for the repercussions of Ned’s decision not to make a politically shrewd move instead of a morally right one to become apparent.

The warning, “Stout-hearted individuals don’t prosper when they journey towards the south,” was hinted at several times, suggesting that Ned could meet a similar end. Catelyn, his wife, added fuel to an already volatile situation by apprehending Tyrion during their encounter on the King’s Road. This hasty action, which Ned claimed was under his orders to safeguard his wife, was another blunder that led to his wounding when Jaime challenged him regarding Tyrion’s arrest.

While Robert was away on a hunting trip, Ned took swift action by ordering the apprehension of Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane and summoning Tywin Lannister, a prominent figure in Westeros, to King’s Landing for questioning regarding his bannerman’s (Clegane) misconduct. These quick decisions were made without due consideration of the potential repercussions. This period might have been when Littlefinger chose to align with the Lannisters instead of the Starks, as in Ned’s realm, there was limited scope for negotiation.

In my humble opinion, as a movie critic, “Game of Thrones’ Ned Stark was a man of honor and unwavering morals, yet he seemed to struggle with strategic thinking. The treacherous landscape of Westeros calls for patience and tact, qualities that Ned appeared to lack. Robert Baratheon himself often warned about the dangerous web of intrigue within the Red Keep; had Stark taken a moment to ponder his next move with the knowledge of Robert’s children, he might have navigated the treacherous court more skillfully, rather than exposing valuable information to potential adversaries who sought to exploit it for their own gain.

In captivity, Varys persuades Ned to yield to Joffrey and admit his supposed “treason” in an attempt to avoid a conflict between the Lannisters and Starks, believing that Ned would be granted entry into the Night’s Watch afterwards. Regrettably, Varys’ counsel has unintended consequences when Joffrey orders Ned’s execution following his false confession about aspiring to claim the throne for himself.

Ned had an innate dislike for that particular game, but his strong sense of duty prevented him from expressing it initially. In the opening scene, he enforced the punishment for desertion in the Night’s Watch, even though the deserter pleaded fear of White Walkers beyond the Wall. This was because, as a member of the King’s Guard, Ned felt compelled to uphold his duty—protecting the king. However, the king he served, known as the Mad King, was a dangerous ruler who had caused the deaths of many innocent lives, including Ned’s own family members.

Ned’s downfall was heartbreaking as he was among the rare honest individuals striving for righteousness, but the world of ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ isn’t about good versus evil; often, doing what is honorable doesn’t guarantee success. This world is dominated not by the virtuous, but by those skilled in manipulation. Tywin Lannister serves as an illustration of this, as he collaborated with Walder Frey to eliminate Robb Stark at the Red Wedding.

Following this, the Lannister family endured a series of events that eventually culminated in Tywin’s fatal misjudgment of his son Tyrion. He didn’t anticipate that presenting Shae at Tyrion’s trial as an accomplice would ultimately prove detrimental to him. George R. R. Martin’s world isn’t about moral lessons; instead, it delves into the intricacies and complexities of human nature, the allure of power, and the inescapable consequences of its misuse, which ultimately lead to decay.

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2025-06-07 05:21