A Game of Thrones - 7 of the Saddest Deaths (SPOILERS)

Don't get too attached to any character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. He's willing to sacrifice any character for the good of the plot. He'll kill characters you love, elevate those you hate, and maim just about anyone. He racks up a high body count, but some deaths hit me hard enough that I needed to put the books down for awhile.

If you're prepared for some SPOILERS, read on. See my list of the saddest deaths and feel free to leave your own in the comments.

Eddard Stark

Yes, this one's obvious. Ned Stark's beheading lets Martin serve notice: Every character is expendable. Ned's care for his family, his dignity and his morals are aspirational. Even if you don't want to share a horn of ale with him, he's a person you can trust to lead from his conscience. If more Westerosi nobles had his sense of duty, the realm would be better off. His death was a devastating emotional blow for his family - and a shock for readers and viewers.

Robb Stark

The King in the North's mood after Rickard Karstark's beheading says it all. He hated that he had little choice but to execute his vassal. He understood and felt the pain of Karstark's losses and his hunger for revenge. In short, he saw both sides. He was maturing into a dutiful leader who understands that being a king is about responsibilities rather than privilege. Imagine Joffrey in Robb's position: He couldn't swing the sword (or rather, order creepy headsman Illyn Payne to swing the sword) fast enough to separate a foeman's head from his shoulders. So Westeros loses another lord who understands decency and putting the realm first.

Oberyn Martell

Lecherous, deadly. A poisoner. So why did Oberyn Martell's death sadden me? Because he stood up for Tyrion Lannister, who is full of good qualities for those willing to forgive his being a Lannister. Martell could've avoided his death so easily by sticking to the task at hand: killing Gregor Clegane. But he had a point to prove, which trumped his good sense. And even in his death throes, Gregor was defiant. I knew Martell's death would have consequences beyond Tyrion, and that made me feel his loss acutely.

Jory Cassell

The late House Stark captain of the guards - a minor, trifling, fleeting character, right? But he represents the workaday Average Joe well, and it's easy to see a bit of him in many people I know (sorry, I don't travel in very lordly environs). Also, his interactions with Arya Stark won me over. His death at Jamie Lannister's command was depressing, and was the first time I started to wonder how many good people this crazy author was willing to kill.

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane

I'm not even sure he's dead. Before his alleged death, he is no longer anyone's "dog." Even during service to Joffrey, The Hound shows glimpses of decency in defending Sansa and Arya Stark (in contrast to his casual brutality). I wanted to see him redeemed more definitively. And I think he deserves better than dying alone in the woods of a festering wound. This anticlimactic end gives me hope that his death is some sleight-of-hand trickery.

Ygritte

The wildling fighter enraptured by Jon Snow is a lively character - good-hearted and all-action, but with a ruthless streak. She is also essential to Jon gaining a better understanding of society beyond the Wall. From her first mention of being "stolen" by Jon, I had a sinking feeling she wouldn't last long. Her last "you know nothing, Jon Snow" was terribly poignant.

Khal Drogo

The horse lord appears as a barbarian. Easily offended. Set in his ways. But he and Daenerys both grow through their marriage. He won my sympathy by treating her decently, and keeping Viserys at bay. And seeing is khalasar fall apart is wrenching. The maegi Mirri Maz Duur's treachery against him - while understandable - compounds the misery. The manner of his death is, for someone like him, the stuff of nightmares.