Every season of Game of Thrones is packed with jaw-dropping violence, and season 5 was no exception.
Over the years we’ve seen beheadings, poisonings, death by infected boo-boo (RIP, Khal Drogo ), a man getting shot by an arrow while being burned (pour one out for Mance Rayder ), even the old “molten gold dumped over the head” trick.
But even with all those grisly shockers, no one (aside from the smug spoiler machines who read the books!) could have predicted the astonishing final moments of Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 10 .
Click below for a rundown of the most brutal deaths in show history:
Viserys Gets Crowned Viserys was up there with King Joffrey in terms of douchebags we loved to hate. Even so, his death by molten gold is tough to watch.
Mande Rayder Swekered at His Own Barbecue! Mance Rayder was spared a brutal death on Game of Thrones. He still died, of course…it just wasn’t quite as brutal.
Tyrion Gets His Revenge Tywin and Shae learned a valuable lesson: Don’t mess with the Imp. Unfortunately, it’s too late for them to do anything with that knowledge.
Balon Takes A Swan Dive Euron returned to the Iron Islands, and in his quest to take over the throne, he killed Balon.
Ser Hugh Gets Skewered The joust is supposed to be for recreation. But as they say, it’s all fun and games until The Mountain gets involved.
Rat Torture (Getty) This is how torture is done in Westeros, a rat is forced by rising temperatured to chew through your innards. Obviously, this dude was not a major character, but we’ll never forget his horrific death.
Ser Rodrik: Worst. Beheading. Ever. A prime example of a minor character who goes out in a major way. Don’t worry, Theon gets his later.
Barristan the Bold Gets Laid Out Cold Poor Ser Barristan, even book-readers didn’t see HIS death coming. But hey, at least he lived up to his name til the end!
Theon Greyjoy Becomes Reek (Getty) Okay, not exactly a death but the Theon we once knew is certainly no more. We’re sure he still mourns the loss of Little Theon.
Ellaria’s Big Move You may have thought Ellaria was going to die when she betrayed Doran Martell, but she sprung into action and took him out first!
The Death of King Joffrey Joffrey’s death wasn’t particularly gory but it WAS unexpected. And it certainly wasn’t unwelcome.
The Death of Khal Drogo (Getty) The Khal’s death wasn’t particularly gory. The shocking part is that this mighty warrior was brought down by a scratch.
Oberyn Martell vs. The Mountain Surely, one of the most gruesome deaths in the history of television. We even feel bad for the witnesses.
Ned is Dead Few shows could get away with killing the man who was built up to be a main character before the end of season one. GoT has offed several of its most important figures over the years, but the death of Ned Stark remains one of the show’s most shockingly grisly twists.
The Red Wedding (Getty) Possibly the most shocking moment the series has offered up thus far. That GRRM certainly knows how to shock and appall.
Arya Takes Out Ser Meryn Trant Ser Meryn Trant is the man who Arya added to her kill list first. She finally got her revenge on him in the season 5 finale.
Wun Wun Saving The Day Wun Wun really stepped up his game when Ramsey ran off when he realized he was outnumbered. He managed to know the doors of Winterfell down in order for what was left of Jon’s army to get in and end Ramsey’s reign of terror. It sucked he died right after his heroic act.
Hold The Door Hodor dying saving Bran and Meera’s life was just awful to watch. It was probably the most emotional death in the history of TV. Also, finding out why he only ever said “Hodor” right before it was just as sad.
Blood on the Snow When it came to the loyalty of his own men, Jon Snow truly knew nothing. He was stabbed by his brothers in the Night’s Watch and left for dead…but is he?