Game of Thrones just gave fans its most chilling character death yet
Game of Thrones has seen plenty of deaths over the last seven seasons, but one in the latest episode has hit fans particularly hard.
Beyond the Wall, which aired last night on HBO in America, featured a battle that climaxed with the death of a dragon belonging to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
Why do I feel more emotionally attached to that dragon who died that I seen like twice than people living in the world #GameOfThrones
— Kari 9 Soap ����♂️ (@guessagainbish) August 21, 2017
When you've seen at least 100 deaths in 7 whole seasons but the death of a dragon has you inconsolably sobbing #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/9FbqDJ7o26
— Olivia Caridi (@OliviaCaridi) August 21, 2017
I didn't realize how attached I was to that dragon whose name I didn't know �� �� #GameOfThrones
— Smriti Lama (@SmritiLama) August 21, 2017
Named Viserion, the dragon was one of three that Daenerys had raised since it hatched from its egg, alongside its siblings Rhaegal and Drogon.
The Night King (Richard Brake) killed Viserion with a spear – but that wasn't all. While fans were still reeling in shock, the Night King resurrected the dragon as one of his frozen army of White Walkers.
Night King: I SUMMON... BLUE EYES WHITE DRAGON ON TO THE FIELD #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/QblTHPD05a
— Cami Ferreol (@camiferreol) August 21, 2017
It was simply too much for some viewers, with many on social media wondering if dragon bereavement was a valid excuse for taking a sick day off work.
"BUT HE KILLED THE DRAGON AND THEN RESURRECTED HIM AS AN ICE DRAGON!" - Me tomorrow, explaining to my boss why I can't work #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/5takqM0KUc
— Maria (@Its_Mah_ree_ah) August 21, 2017
Can you call in sick to work due to mourning a dragon? #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/9cc3yk2j6S
— Melissa Fach (@SEOAware) August 21, 2017
Others, meanwhile, were put in mind of the title of George RR Martin's books, on which the show is based: A Song of Ice and Fire. Which would the reborn Viserion breathe?
Can't sleep wondering if the White Walker dragon is going to blow fire or ice #GameOfThronespic.twitter.com/beNMSFiTfA
— Mapple (@LeVancouverite) August 21, 2017
Predictably, one fan saw it is an opportunity for some topical satire, referencing US President Donald Trump's comments about the death of a protestor at last week's anti-fascist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia:
A dragon died, yes, but the dragons attacked the walkers so there were faults on many sides, on many sides #GameOfThrones#GoT
— Sam Forgie (@SamDForgie) August 21, 2017
Reviewing the episode, Telegraph critic Ed Power called it an "eye-ball searing extravaganza", adding that it "had more in common with Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings adaptations than with the dagger-in-the-back Game of Thrones of yore".
Beyond the Wall, the sixth episode of the fantasy drama's penultimate season, will air on Sky Atlantic at 9pm tonight.
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