Summary

• In Game of Thrones season 1, several characters met their demise throughout the episodes.
• Game of Thrones wasted no time in including some incredibly shocking and violent deaths, with the show making it clear to viewers early on that no character was safe.
• From Ned Stark to Khal Drogo, there were many characters killed off in Game of Thrones season 1 that viewers unfamiliar with the books would have presumed would be significant throughout the entire show.

Game of Thrones wound up being one of the deadliest shows in TV history, and season 1 effectively set the tone for the rest of the series. The HBO show, created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, was based on the George R.R. Martin fantasy book series, A Song of Ice and Fire. From the start, it was clear that death and violence were major elements of the narrative and no character was safe. Season 1 consisted of 10 episodes and introduced viewers to the world of Westeros. Within the continent were prominent houses of noble families, and at the center was House Stark and its leader, Eddard "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean).

After Ned got an opportunity to serve alongside the King of the Seven Kingdoms, the conflict among Westeros and beyond came into focus. In addition to the unrest among humans, the first season of the series introduced the existence of White Walkers, a group of the undead who were advancing upon Westeros. Over the course of Game of Thrones' debut season, 28 characters were killed off. The number can be greatly increased including unnamed characters. Out of the season 1 deaths, some were more significant than others. Here are the biggest deaths that occurred throughout Game of Thrones season 1.

Will (The Deserter)

Executed In Season 1, Episode 1, "Winter Is Coming"

Will (Bronson Webb) was technically the third death of the series as shown in the pilot. His death followed Waymar Royce and Gared, his fellow rangers in the Night's Watch. While Waymar Royce and Gared died during the introduction of the White Walkers to the show, Will was instead used to show that Ned Stark was a man of honor who followed the letter of the law. Rather than get killed by White Walkers like the others, Will deserted his post.

Seeing the corpses of wildlings and encountering White Walkers beyond the Wall was too much for Will. Unfortunately for him, he was captured near Winterfell. Since the Lord of Winterfell, Ned Stark, didn't believe his story, Will was executed for deserting the Night's Watch. Ned used his Valyrian steel sword, Ice, to behead the young man.

Jon Arryn

Poisoned By Lysa Shortly Before Season 1, Episode 1, "Winter Is Coming"

While the death of this particular character in Game of Thrones season 1 wasn't shown on-screen, it would later emerge that it was among the most significant deaths in the entirety of the show's first installment, as it served as the catalyst for almost everything that followed. Jon Arryn (John Standing), the Lord Paramount of the Vale, was already dead prior to the events of the series, but his body was shown in the pilot episode, "Winter Is Coming."

The head of House Arryn served as the Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) until his mysterious death. His body was shown resting in the throne room of the Red Keep in King's Landing. It was later revealed that Jon's death was at the hands of his wife, Lysa (Kate Dickie), at the orders of Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen). She poisoned her husband's wine with the "tears of Lys."

Lady

Executed By Ned Stark In Season 1, Episode 2, "The Kingsroad"

Lady was Sansa Stark's (Sophie Turner) direwolf and the first of the litter to be killed. Not only did this Game of Thrones season 1 death show once again that Ned Stark would follow the letter of the law and customs of Westeros even when it perhaps broke his hear to do so, it was also an early reveal at just how sadistic and vengeful Cersei Lannister could be.

When Sansa left Winterfell in episode 2, "The Kingsroad", with her father, Ned, and sister, Arya (Maisie Williams), Lady came along on their journey to King's Landing. When Arya's direwolf, Nymeria, injured Prince Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) in defense of her owner, Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) ordered the animal to be punished. Nymeria couldn't be found, so Cersei demanded that Lady be killed in the direwolf's place. Ned ended up executing Lady out of obedience to the Queen, though he clearly struggled with the decision.

Jory Cassel

Stabbed By Jaime Lannister In Season 1, Episode 5, "The Wolf And The Lion"

For fans of the show who were unfamiliar with the books, this particular Game of Thrones season 1 death was an early indicator that no character was safe, no matter how many times they'd appeared so far. The episode "The Wolf and the Lion" saw the death of the recurring character Jory Cassel (Jamie Sives). He was the Captain of the Guards to House Stark and appeared in a total of five episodes.

While assisting Ned Stark in finding the truth about the Baratheon children, they encountered Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). He threatened Ned and his men before demanding the release of his brother, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). Jaime then instructed that his men-at-arms kill Ned's loyal followers. Jory was stabbed in the eye by Jaime, angering Ned and leading to more tension between the Lannisters and the Starks.

Viserys Targaryen

Excecuted By Khal Drogo In Season 1, Episode 6, "A Golden Crown"

While this Game of Thrones season 1 death didn't have the most impact on the rest of the show (surprising in itself given that it's a Targaryen), it was so brutal that it easily counts among the most memorable. Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd), the older brother of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), was a prominent character in Game of Thrones season 1. He arranged a marriage between his sister and the Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), in exchange for an army that could help him reclaim the Iron Throne.

Following the marriage, Viserys didn't make a great impression in the eyes of Drogo. The Targaryen then demanded his army and threatened to harm Daenerys' unborn child after much frustration. To give him a crown that he was promised, Drogo poured molten gold on Viserys' head, killing him by the end of an episode appropriately titled "A Golden Crown."

Robert Baratheon

Wounded By A Boar In Season 1, Episode 7, "You Win Or You Die"

After the death of Viserys Targaryen, which would have been surprising to viewers who hadn't read the books given that he seemed to be being set up as one of the show's main characters, Game of Thrones season 1 then dropped another incredibly shocking death on audiences

The following episode, "You Win or You Die," featured the death of another major character — the demise of Robert Baratheon, the closest friend of Ned Stark and current King of Westeros. The head of House Baratheon, who also served as the 17th ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, was married to Cersei Lannister. In hindsight, this meant that his death was probably somewhat inevitable, though at the time many viewers were surprised at just how brazenly she arranged for her husband to be killed (and the nefarious yet genius way she went about it).

At the request of Cersei, King Robert was given an excessive amount of wine before embarking on a hunting trip. The man was mortally wounded by a boar and ed away before he could tell Ned Stark the full truth regarding his heirs.

Syrio Forel

Killed By Lannister Footsoldiers In Season 1, Episode 8, "The Pointy End"

Of all the characters introduced in Game of Thrones who didn't live long enough to appear in season 2 and beyond, few were missed by viewers quite as much as Syrio Forel (Miltos Yerolemou). Syrio Forel was the master swordsman hired by Ned Stark to instruct his daughter, Arya Stark. He resided in the Free City of Braavos before coming to King's Landing.

Upon learning that Arya had her own sword, Ned wanted his daughter to learn how to effectively use it. To keep the lessons a secret, Arya claimed she was learning how to dance. After Ned was arrested following Robert's death, the Lannister army tried to detain Arya. Syrio tried to protect the young Stark from the Lannister men. By the end of "The Pointy End," it was presumed that Syrio was killed in the fight.

Qotho

Killed By Jorah Mormont In Season 1, Episode 9, "Baelor"

Following on from the death of Syrio Forel, the next episode of Game of Thrones, "Baelor," saw the death of two characters, with the first being Qotho (Dar Salim), a bloodrider of Khal Drogo. Qotho served as one of Drogo's closest allies and stood by his side for much of Game of Thrones season 1. After Drogo fell ill following his festering wound, Qotho tried to intervene when it came to the use of blood magic.

At one point, Qotho pushed Daenerys, causing her to go into premature labor. Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) was displeased with the bloodrider's behavior, and the two engaged in a duel. Despite Qotho's quickness, Jorah managed to slash man in the face, killing him. However, while Quotho's death was certainly an intense moment, it was far less significant than the second character death in "Baelor".

Ned Stark

Beheaded In Season 1, Episode 9, "Baelor"

As far as shocking deaths in season 1 of Game of Thrones go, none are as memorable or redefined the show as much as the ing of Ned Stark. Eddard Stark, who went by Ned during the series, marked the second death of "Baelor." In a shocking turn of events, the face of Game of Thrones was killed, causing a ripple effect throughout the rest of the series.

The Lord of Winterfell became the Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon where he was forced to relocate to King's Landing with his two daughters. While there, Ned started to gather some insight into the Lannister's secrets. After the death of Robert, Ned was arrested and charged with treason before being executed. The death of Ned and the truth surrounding Cersei's children started the War of the Five Kings.

Khal Drogo

Smothered By Daenerys In Season 1, Episode 10, "Fire and Blood"

The final big death featured in Game of Thrones season 1 occurred in the finale, "Fire and Blood." While it wasn't as impactful as the death of Ned Stark, it was perhaps just as much of a tragic moment for audiences, as the last character killed off was Jason Momoa's fan-favorite Khal Drogo. The Dothraki khalasar was poisoned after his serious wound earlier in the season.

His wife Daenerys allowed the use of blood magic to save him but Drogo was left in a vegetative state while also causing her child to be stillborn. To put Drogo out of his misery, Daenerys smothered him. She placed his body and her three dragon eggs in the funeral pyre before walking through the flames. The next day, Daenerys emerged from the ashes with three baby dragons.