Game of Thrones: 10 mistakes that doomed the Seven Kingdoms

Disclaimer: This piece reflects the opinions of the writer.

HBO's Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama based on A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R Martin. Since its first airing in 2011, it unleashed a cultural phenomenon. With intricate politics, complex characters, and epic battle, this show was a complete entertainer to its fans.

The show is set in the fictional seven kingdoms, namely of Westeros, and Essos. In terms of plot, Game of Thrones takes extra care to brilliantly chronicle the power struggles among even the closest kins and members of the royal family. The throne in question is the Iron Throne: one that symbolizes power and prestige.

While the show has many moments of triumph for key characters like Eddard Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, and Tyrion Lannister, each of these characters made one or the other choice, impacting the future of the Seven Kingdoms. This flaw is common in almost all the characters. It also highlights that even the mightiest warriors, political players, or master schemers can fall prey to the error of judgment.

Some of these judgements and decisions were steered by ambition, others were a tragic consequence of miscalculations or personal bias. Overall, these flaws are critical points that steer the story to a more complex, layered interpretation:

---

10 mistakes that doomed the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones

1. Ned Stark's unfading honor

Eddard "Ned" Stark, Warden of the North, held onto one principle with all his might: his undying love of honor. Eddard soon discovers that Queen Cersei's children are a consequence of an incestuous relationship.

Eddard tried to talk to her aboout this revelation and give her a chance to flee. This decision, turned against him. Cersei feared the onvious consequence of the word getting out and executed him after orchestrating a coup.

A chain of reaction was launched from this point. His death fueled the War of the Five Kings and brought chaos into the realm.

---

2. Robb Stark's deviation from his vow

In Game of Thrones, marriages often seal off an alliance. When Robb Stark made a politically charged alliance with House Frey, he promised to marry one of Lord Walder Frey's daughters.

However, he soon deviated from his own words, forgetting the vow. He fell in love with Talisa Maegyr and ended up marrying her. This breach of vow culminated in the infamous Red Wedding, where Robb, and a great part of his family is mercilessly slain. The massacre devastated the Stark leadership shifting the balance and power dynamics.

---

3. Stannis Baratheon's Sacrifice

Red Priestess Melisandre influenced Stannis Baratheon, and his ambitions got reignited. He took a tragic, harrowing decision to offer up his daughter, Princess Shireen. This would gain a favorable advantage from the Lord of Light.

This act in Game of Thrones was not liked by his followers, and soon Stannis was abandoned. Subsequently, the soldiers faced defeat and Stannis met his end. His agreed signed his death warrant and brought the season of doom unto his life.

---

4. Cersei's destruction of the Sept

In Game of Thrones, when Queen Cersei Lannister found herself on the verge of trial by the Faith Militant, she ensured to hold her position by crooked means. Using wildfire hidden beneath the Great Sept of Baelor, she destroyed the whole building. Obliterating her enemies, including influential figures like her daughter-in-law, in one quick jolt.

This incident did not land well, and led her son, King Tommen, to take his own life. The conspiracy started plunging the crown into even more chaos and crisis. Cersei’s brutal method of clearing enemies did not end fruitfully, it reaped the seeds of discontent and chaos.

---

5. Daenerys's attack on King's Landing despite his surrender

In Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen, once hailed as a liberator, made a decision that shocked many Daenerys fans. Even after a fight and eventual surrender declared by the King, she went ahead and attacked them with dragonfire.

This ruthless act resulted in numerous deaths and tarnished her pride. Her descent into tyranny isolated her from her trusted allies, leading to even more messed-up decisions.

This downfall led to her assassination by Jon Snow. Her tragic loss of self-restraint and choice to exercise tyranny ensured for her a sad ending.

---

6. Jon Snow's dilemma and weakness for Daenerys

Jon Snow, a character known to be upright and to always hold onto his personal integrity, decided to pledge allegiance to Daenerys. He thought that her vision for a better world would bring actual good.

However, we soon notice that his optimism turns against him in the worst way possible. Daenerys grows tyrannical and ruthless. We already discussed the tragic loss of King's Landing and the subsequent discontent under her rule.

In Game of Thrones, Jon Snow was torn between love and duty and this dilemma eventually concretized into Daenerys' assassination.

---

7. Tyrion's miscalculations and Cersei Lannister's betrayal

If Game of Thrones teaches us something, it is the nature of human follies. Tyrion Lannister, known as a critical, analytical strategist and mastermind, fell prey to an error of judgment. He made several fatal miscalculations, particularly in trusting his sister. Cersei was expected to send reinforcements against the White Walkers and save him. But against his trust, Cersei betrayed him. This betrayal left Daenerys's forces completely on the verge of doom.

---

8. Daenerys' downfall and Varys

In Game of Thrones, Lord Varys, the Master of Whisperers, ultimately understood what Daenerys wanted. He cared for the people of the Seven Kingdoms and wanted to save them from any potential doom.

Relying on his judgment that Daenerys was turning into a tyrannical ruler and a threat to the region's peace, he engaged in several plots to curb her influence and upheld Jon Snow's claims. He secretly wanted to sway the common masses against her, but Daenerys soon became suspicious. Ultimately, this distrust led to the chain of miscalculated, ruthless decisions that she makes.

---

9. Bad choices led to worse consequences

Despite receiving stark warnings against entrusting Mirri Maz Duur with Khal Drogo's grave wounds, Daenerys, driven by her unrelenting hope to save Khal Drogo, placed her trust in Mirri Maz Duur. This desperate decision only made the situation worse, and Maz Dur ends up employing blood magic when the infection starts spreading.

Daenerys was feeling a personal weakness for Maz Durr and this clouded her clarity. She could not see through the garb of care and thus fell prey to Maz Durr's ulterior motif.

---

10. The Fragmentation of the Realm

In Game of Thrones, following the wars and upheavals, the Seven Kingdoms fractured, torn by politics and personal agendas.

The region suffered a split: the North announced independence. Even Bran Stark's took charge and sat on the royal throne, he lacked the critical grip that could have held the vast region together. Soon, conflicts set in and the impending doom came even closer for the Seven Kingdoms.

Also read: Bridgerton: 10 times Kate and Anthony’s chemistry stole the whole season

---

Game of Thrones masterfully depicted the intricate thread of balance that determines actions and consequences. It is a vivid tale of human folly that teaches us the truth about leadership: that it requires not only power but also wisdom, empathy, and foresight.