You Win Or You Die: Ranking the 99 Game of Thrones Deaths

Image credit: HBO/Helen Sloan

The High Sparrow and Grand Maester Pycelle

These men exemplify the underlying problems with organized religion. As such, it’s sort of ironically fitting that the pair of them would die in their house of worship. They dedicated their lives to a cause which they failed to uphold altruistically, and in the end this is what killed them. (Well, Cersei helped, too.)

Grand Maester Pycelle was always an obviously corrupt man. He used his position to prey upon women, and claimed it was all the work of the gods. That, along with his off-again, on-again alliance with Cersei, seems to be the extent of his purpose. And once Qyburn comes along, Cersei’s need for Pycelle is extinguished entirely. Qyburn might not have his degree anymore, but his bedside manner is far more appropriate.

Meanwhile, the High Sparrow was a lot of hot air on the subject of holiness. He preached about the dangers of materialism and getting too big for your britches, but in the end that was his character to a tee. No, he didn’t adorn himself with finery, but he carried himself with the air of nobility he so often chastised. Ultimately, the High Sparrow was less about serving the gods, and more about acting in their stead. He upended people’s lives as he chose, manipulated them to grow his army, and punished any who would oppose him. His kindness and unthreatening look was all a facade to lure people in.

The High Sparrow played god one time too many. It’s no wonder the Seven—should they exist—would allow him to be blown to smithereens in the middle of their sept. Their temple may be destroyed, but they saw that false idol punished. Gods tend to be merciless, after all, so this mentality would suit them nicely.