The 7 Character Deaths On 'Game of Thrones' Season 8, Episode 3

Photo: HBO

The long-awaited Battle of Winterfell has finally happened. While anticipating Game of Thrones‘ season 8 episode 3 “The Long Night,” many speculated about which characters that would make it out of the battle, and by most accounts, the body count was lower than many expected.

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Here are the 7 character deaths during the Battle of Winterfell and what they mean for the show.

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Beric Dondarrion

"We're fighting death! I can't beat death."
"Tell her that."

Beric was first brought into the show in the first season, and was a strong follower of the Lord of Light (apart of the same religion as Melisandre). He claims to have been killed and brought back from the dead six times. In this battle, he sacrificed himself to keep Arya alive just long enough for her to kill the Night King (which saved the world, apparently). Throughout the show, Beric had regularly talked about knowing that the Lord of light had plans for him, he just didn't know what for. After multiple resurrections, it appears he was right, because had he not been there to help fight off Arya's attackers, the Night King would have survived.
Theon Greyjoy

"Theon, you're a good man. Thank you."

Theon had perhaps the most complex character arc of anyone on the show. Viewers went from indifference to him, to hate for him, to annoyance. We began feeling sorry for him, and felt disappointed in him, and ended up loving him in the end. The last thing said to him was his forgiveness from Bran, who he had tried to kill in season one. Just like other deaths that happened in this episode, he survived just long enough to keep Bran alive, to make the Battle of Winterfell a victory. He died a hero.
Jorah Mormont

"There is a beast in every man, and it stirs when you put a sword in his hand."

Jorah defied the odds time and time again throughout the series. Finally, Jorah Mormont fell, spending every last bit of strength, sacrificing himself to protect Daenerys at the Battle of Winterfell. While it's sad to see him go, knowing he died saving his Queen is the only way he would have wanted to go.
Lyanna Mormont

"I wish you good fortune, cousin."

This was a death that actually was not only disappointing, but mean-spirited. Lyanna did a very brave act fighting alongside her men at only 18, but the writers reward a 13-year-old girl for her bravery by having her crushed to death by a giant; she then became a White Walker. It was a terrible decision and terrible optics for a show that usually knows how to tell a satisfying story. There were many other characters that could have been used for this death that not only would have made more sense, but would have made the audience feel the writers had made a good dramatic choice.

Greyworm survives but Lyanna has to die? Hopefully the writers know what they're doing. This death also seemingly means the end for House Mormont, as the only two characters that held that name, along with seemingly all the Mormont soldiers in battle, have died.
Melisandre

“No need to execute me, Ser Davos. I'll be dead by the morning.”

There is a lot of mystery with Melisandre, and much of it won't be cleared up. When she suddenly showed up outside the gates of Winterfell before the battle, she had two purposes before suddenly collapsing and dying into the snow.

First, she summoned the Lord of Light to imbue the Dothraki weapons in fire. This didn't seem to do much strategically, as the army was wiped out within seconds anyway, but it sure made it easy to spot the army in the dark.

Much more importantly, Melisandre seemed to play a part in inspiring Arya to kill the Night King. Last time she saw Arya (in season 3), while capturing Gendry, Melisandre predicted she would end the lives of three important people. One brown, one green, one blue. This was brought back in this episode and seemingly reminded Arya to go make the kill.

Many are speculating the three eye color characters are Walder Frey (who had brown eyes, and has already been killed by Arya), blue eyes (the Night King), and green eyes (Cercei). This is seemingly too convenient as a prophecy for killing Cersei, especially with the showrunners knowing that people would pick that theory up. How the rest of Melisandre's prediction remains to be seen.
The Night King

"What do we say to the God of death?"
"Not today."

The Night King's death will come as a shock to most people. With three episodes left on the show, he was thought of as the primary threat on the show for several seasons. The most disappointing thing about his death is how much it makes the quest to capture a wight and take it to Cersei a complete waste of time, and there seems to have been no reason for her forces to be there in the first place. With nothing lost by her betrayal in this battle, what is the whole point? This is something that will hopefully be addressed in the final three episodes.

It's also notable that Bran had given Arya the dagger she used on the Night King in the same place that she uses it to kill him. Bran didn't have much fear on his face when he was in imminent danger so it's safe to assume he foresaw the events happening they way they did.
Eddison Tollett

"Dolorous Edd."

What can be said for good old Edd that hasn't already been said? Not much, but that's for great reason as his character should have been killed a long time ago. He served nothing to the plot since Jon Snow left The Night's Watch at the start of season six. To make matters worse, he was constantly condescending and rude to Samwell since his arrival to Winterfell. Most viewers probably didn't remember his name, and he died being rude and sarcastic to Sam.