Throne fails: 5 times Game of Thrones characters made terrible decisions

No recent television show has sparked more contentious debates than Game of Thrones. With its vast cast and cutthroat political maneuvering, the series was full of surprising plot twists, bold risks, and dramatic developments spanning decades and realms. However, not all were wise — in fact, some were so foolish that they dramatically affected Westeros in catastrophic ways.

It was not just a matter of who lived and who perished but how frequently characters drove themselves and others to ruin with one irresponsible choice. Some of these choices were made on an emotional whim; others stemmed from pride, desperation, or sheer calculation. Regardless, they had significant consequences for armies, cities, and the Iron Throne itself.

From deadly fatalities to shattering alliances, here are five of the worst missteps made by main characters in Game of Thrones. Each one changed the game, and not for the better.

1. Ned Stark trusting Littlefinger in Game of Thrones

Eddard Stark had a strong sense of morality, which was often a disadvantage in Westeros. In Season 1, trusting Petyr Baelish with the truth about Joffrey's father proved fatal. Ned thought Littlefinger would aid him in defeating the Lannisters and shifting power, but he was betrayed, arrested, and beheaded.

This act sealed Ned's fate and created a chain reaction. His death caused the War of the Five Kings, divided the North and South, and led to decades of bloodshed. A more cautious approach might have changed Westeros entirely.

2. Robb Stark breaking his marriage pact

Stark had momentum, loyalty, and combat victories. However, a single personal decision undid it all—marrying Talisa Maegyr instead of fulfilling his marriage bond with House Frey. The bargain was straightforward: marry a Frey daughter, receive the bride, and maintain the North's support. Breaking it without negotiations insulted Walder Frey and turned a desired ally into a lethal foe.

The result was the Red Wedding — television's most infamous moment. Robb, Catelyn, and numerous Northern commanders were slaughtered, effectively ending the Stark bid for independence. A moment of emotion over strategy led to Robb's total loss, demonstrating how one decision can ruin an otherwise superb campaign.

3. Daenerys Targaryen burning King's Landing in Game of Thrones

She was a liberator for seven years. However, in Season 8, when she took over King's Landing, she made the horrific decision to burn the city to the ground even after it had surrendered. Civilians were killed, and her reputation suffered irreversible damage. It was an emotional decision, but also a culmination of past frustrations and betrayals. This idea alienated her from her closest friends and led to her destruction.

While she professed a desire for peace, her actions made it impossible to distinguish between justice and revenge. This decision cost her the throne and her life; she was killed by Jon Snow after he resolved to end her reign in an attempt to halt further devastation.

4. Cersei Lannister trusting Euron and ignoring the real threat in Game of Thrones

Cersei Lannister never played the short game, but her refusal to join forces to kill the Night King was a risk that nearly destroyed humanity. As Jon Snow and Daenerys fought the dead in the North, Cersei remained in King's Landing with Euron Greyjoy, waiting for everyone else to exhaust themselves on the battlefield. Her strategy was to sit back and wait, then swoop in and reclaim the throne.

The plan backfired. Not only did it make her unreliable to any future potential allies, but it also drove her further away when Daenerys returned victorious. With few true believers left, Cersei faced the full fury of Daenerys' anger and died buried under the wreckage — a fate that underscored the cost of putting personal ambition over threats to the world.

5. Jon Snow revealing his secret in Game of Thrones

Jon Snow's true parentage was one of the show's greatest plot twists. However, his decision to reveal it first to Daenerys and then to his brothers sparked primal suspicion and fragmentation. Sansa, disbelieving of Daenerys, reported it immediately to Varys, setting a plot against the Queen in motion. The news spread quickly, turning friends into enemies.

It was not just a family issue; it disturbed Daenerys, made her paranoid, and ultimately led to her downfall. Jon was convinced that the truth would strengthen bonds. Instead, it broke them, shifting the balance of power and accelerating the eventual collapse of trust among the key characters. Game of Thrones was a story of decisions, not always the right ones.

These five moments highlight how even the greatest characters can tumble, not because they are bad, but due to one mistake. In Westeros, one mistake doesn't merely lose a battle; it reshapes the world.