Game of Thrones Officially Ended a Fantasy Era in Season 1 (& Nobody Noticed)

The death of Ned Stark marked the end of traditional heroism in fantasy television. This shocking moment worked because the show’s creators first made viewers believe in Ned as a truly honorable man, even leading many to think he deserved to be king. When that hope was abruptly destroyed, it ushered in a darker, more realistic era where goodness wasn’t enough to ensure survival. From the very beginning, Game of Thrones hinted that any character striving to be noble was ultimately destined to fail.








