There wasn't a dry eye in the realm, as a stableboy at Winterfell collapsed to the ground because Bran was visiting the past, while a dangerous bit of the present day - a massive White Walker attack - bled through and into young Willys' brain, causing him to become Hodor. It was a tragic loop and one of the most emotional, revealing moments on the entire series.On the heels of that monumental scene, we thought we'd take an updated look back at the saddest, most soul-crushing moments from Game of Thrones. Here are the most heartbreaking scenes from a show known for its cruel hand and contempt for heroics.
Let the Butchery Begin
Not that Bran getting pushed out of a window wasn't an intense way to close out the pilot episode, but it was in Episode 2, "The Kingsroad," where we'd really start to get a taste of this show's love of tragic twists. This was when Joffrey first revealed himself to be the monster we'd all grow to despise when he ordered The Hound to kill Arya's friend Mycah, the Butcher's Boy.
The sadness wouldn't cease with Mycah though, as Ned was also ordered by Cersei to execute Sansa's direwolf, Lady - after Arya sent her own wolf, Nymeria, away in order to save her. As the Stark sisters quickly learned, the Lannisters were already very talented at "sending their regards."
Dad Bod
While Ned's beheading will forever hold a rightful place on the list of Game of Thrones' most jaw-dropping deaths, the fact that both Arya and Sansa had to be there for it still tears our collective heart in two. Sansa up on the steps of the Sept and Arya out in the crowd, mercifully being shielded from the horror by Yoren.
Old Man Winterfell
As though it wasn't traumatic enough to watch Winterfell fall into the hands of Theon's Ironborn in Season 2, Maester Luwin was mortally wounded during Bran and Rickon's escape. Knowing he wasn't long for the world of Ice and Fire, he asked Osha to deliver a final stab of mercy.
Washed Up
Season 3 marked a rough, redemptive road for Jaime Lannister. With his sword hand unceremoniously lopped off, the elder Lannister brother broke down in a bathtub, crumbling under all the hate people had hurled at him ever since he killed the Mad King. And it was this touching moment with Brienne that helped transform the "Kingslayer" into a fan-favorite.
The Worst Moment from the Worst Thing
Look, ALL of the Red Wedding is awful and we're not here to argue otherwise. But there was a particularly wrenching, sad moment toward the end, when Catelyn was trying to give Robb an opportunity to flee. She'd taken Walder Frey's wife hostage and was begging her son to save himself, but all Robb could do was mourn the death of his wife.
He was paralyzed by grief. And so were we.Read on for more heartbreaking Game of Thrones moments...
So Close...
With all the horrors gong on inside The Twins during the Red Wedding, sometimes it's easy to forget that Arya witnessed a lot of the atrocity from the outside. This marked the second time she was close by when her family got massacred. Had she arrived hours earlier she could have seen her mother and brother... but then she also probably would have been killed in the bloodbath. The Hound had to knock her out just to see to her safety.
Away With Thee
While not carrying the extra weight of being an undeserved, agonizing death, Daenerys' banishment of Jorah in Season 4 marked the sad, sorrowful end of their long journey together. At least for a season. This was their "She's All That" moment, where she discovered that their relationship began in a deceitful manner, even though it had blossomed into something very touching and loyal. One does not burn the Mother of Dragons. It's the other way around.
Away With Thee, Pt 2
After Khaleesi kicked Jorah to the curb, he made it his life's mission to redeem himself in her eyes. He returned to her at the end of Season 5, saved her life, and then embarked on a search for her after Drogon spirited her away during a huge assassination attempt.
They've now mended past pain, but Jorah, infected with Greyscale, can no longer be near his queen. She tearfully gave him one last command - to find a cure for himself so that he could return and help her rule Westeros. It was basically a much kinder, loving banishment than she'd given him before. And the first time he professed his undying love for her.
Egg Timer
Castle Black's Maester Aemon had the distinct luxury of dying at a ripe old age. That doesn't mean his passing didn't yank wildly on our heartstrings. In his final, delirious moments he imagined he was conversing with his brother, Aegon, as children. "Egg, I dreamed that I was old," were his final, sad words.
Father of the Year
The burning of Shireen is a particular repugnant, mournful act in Game of Thrones' history. Stannis' quest for the Iron Throne ran so dark and deep that he would have rather been known as "The King Who Torched His Own Daughter" than the "The King Who Fled," and seeing Stannis grimly watch it all happen, as much as he felt it was his duty, made it so much worse. Shireen had to see her own father standing there, doing nothing, while she burned. It was a phenomenally sad moment, especially when Selyse, who'd never been a loving mother, tried to run to her daughter's aid.
Hold the Damn Door
Given this is Game of Thrones, we could have probably guessed that Hodor would die in the service of Bran's journey, as the guy was practically built to protect the psychic Stark. And sure, you might have also guessed his death would be a sad one. But for it to be THIS SAD? This powerful? This meaningful? It was a gut-punch of untouchable proportions. Watching Hodor hold that door while his young self, in the past, melted into a puddle of spasms and fits -- blending together the phrase "hold the door" -- was monumentally moving. Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/Showrenity.