Game of Thrones (the HBO series at least) came to an end with the finale of its eighth season in May of last year. Fans of the novels are still waiting for two more books from author George R.R. Martin where television viewers are hoping a few fan-favorite characters may have alternate endings than they did on the air.
That, of course, remains to be seen. As for the HBO smash hit, helmed by David Benioff and Dan Weiss, there were a few characters who deserved to be treated with a little more respect when everything came to a close.
Jorah Mormont
Jorah's arc on the television show was that of honor and redemption. He redeemed himself time and time again. From selling slaves to freeing them, from betraying his house to honoring the Queen he swore to serve, from fighting as a sellsword to fighting for Daenerys, Jorah worked hard to become the man who the love of his life (Daenerys) and his father would have respected. And yet he had to die. Of course, he would have wanted to go down protecting his Queen, but he deserved to live. He deserved to see his hard work pay off and be rewarded for it.
Ned Stark
Ned Stark was all about honor. He was loved by his family, trusted by his sovereign, honest to a fault, and everyone gave him a hard time about it. His best friend forced his hand and made him come to King's Landing. His wife believed he had a bastard son when he actually did not. What did all of Ned's nobility and good intentions get him? Nothing. All it did was lose him his family and his head. Apparently, there was no room for true heroes anywhere in Westeros.
Missandei
Missandei, like her team Targaryen member Jorah, rose from her position by her actions alone. Once a slave and translator, Missandei became the most trusted advisor of Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen. Missandei deserved far more than to be randomly kidnapped at the series end and die, once again, in chains.
Shireen Baratheon
Remember Shireen Baratheon? She dies back in season five, but odds are everyone who watched Game of Thrones still remembers. Shireen was the young daughter of Stannis who was burned alive by Melisandre as a sacrifice to her Red God.
She died, surrounded by flames, screaming for help from her parents. She wasn't just some random child who suddenly appeared, but a kind and loving daughter who showed her father affection and taught Ser Davos to read. Yet, both her parents betrayed her.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, member of the King's Guard, biological father to Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, had the most impressive character arc aside from perhaps Jorah Mormont's. From a single-minded family man, he grew to be a respectful and talented knight due, in great part, to his relationship with Brienne of Tarth. And yet, the writers let all that character development go to waste as Jaime returned to King's Landing to die with his sister. What were the other seven seasons for?
Margaery Tyrell
There was never any doubt that Margaery, and her grandmother, were playing the game of thrones, and they were quite adept at it. But, for the most part, Margaery didn't want to harm anyone on her quest who didn't deserve it. Her kindness to Sansa (though important to her family's plot to get Sansa out of the capital) was still a good deed. She was decent to Tommen and the people of King's Landing. She was beautiful, smart, and didn't deserve to be blown up in her place of worship.
Tommen Baratheon
Poor sweet Tommen only wanted to hang out with his wife Margaery and play with his cat Ser Pounce. This boy needed more time to become a ruler, but Margaery was certainly able to help, and he really did love her. He could have learned to be a kind and generous king if he'd been given the chance. But, when the Sept blew up he understood that his family would never allow him to be happy, even if that is what he deserved.
Cersei Lannister
Cersei was undoubtedly a terrible person, as she was selfish and only cared for her children. She was cunning and able to sew seeds of disorder wherever she pleased, but that's what made her a great villain.
She was a woman who grabbed power and had to fight her father, her husband, her brother, and her sons to maintain it. And, as the show's best villain, she deserved to go down fighting, rather than crying. She deserved a showdown, a face to face moment with team Targaryen.
Brienne of Tarth
Brienne was perhaps one of only two (along with Missandei) genuinely good characters on the show. She was a real knight, fighting for justice and the little guy at all times. While it was wonderful to see her, as a woman, rise to the position of Commander of the King's Guard, it wasn't enough. She was always a knight, always deserving of that position. What was amazing to watch was Brienne form a real human connection with someone (Jaime) after being shunned most of her life. She didn't deserve to have her heart broken in season eight.
Daenerys Targaryen
The Mother of Dragons and Breaker of Chains deserved far better than to go "crazy" at the very end. She certainly lost a lot in those final few episodes, but everyone on Game of Thrones lost a lot throughout. She had built herself up as a lover of justice and freedom. She did not want to fly straight to King's Landing only to become Queen of the ashes. She said that. The show wrote that for her. And then apparently forgot about it all, and every part of Daenerys' character development, in season eight.