(Picture: HBO)
*Warning: This articles contains spoilers from Game of Thrones season 8 episode The Long Night.
Game of Thrones just pulled off its most extraordinary feat yet in the biggest televised battle of all time, but several heroes were destined to die in the process.
Among them was Theon Greyjoy (played by Alfie Allen) who ran into an army of White Walkers led by The Night King, knowing he didn’t stand a chance of survival, to rescue Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) – who proved to be fairly useless in The Long Night after all.
Following Theon’s heroic death, Alfie shared a photo of his warrior’s shattered armour alongside a broken black heart.
His co-stars immediately lent their support.
Brienne of Tarth star Gwendoline Christie – who was among our pick to be bumped off last night but survived – simply wrote ‘I love you’ in the captions box.
Pilou Asbæk proved he couldn’t be farther from his barbaric villain Euron Greyjoy IRL, commenting: ‘Alfie…wow…An incredible character you have created. I have loved every minute of Theon’s storyline, because of your beautiful work. From the bottom of my heart THANKS. It’s a been a true pleasure and I’m proud to call you my friend!’
Although, Sophie Turner went one step too far and paid tribute to Theon on her own page, ruining the episode for anyone not in the United States yet to watch the horrors unfold.
Theon was one of seven huge favourites to get the chop in Game of Thrones’ biggest cull.
Eddison Tollett was the first to die in battle as he protected Samwell Tarly, Lyanna Hormont perished as a fearless legend, Beric Dondarrion, Jorah Mormont were both slaughtered saving their pals and, of course, The Night King, who was killed by unlikely hero Arya Stark.
But once the dust had settled there was one more death to come. The Red Witch Melisandre revealed way back in season three who would destroy The Night King, and once her work was done she walked out into the wilderness, took off the necklace concealing the hundreds of years under her belt, and collapsed.
We’re still taking it all in.
Game of Thrones continues Sunday on HBO in the US and will be simulcast here on Sky Atlantic in the UK. Seasons one to eight are available to stream on NOW TV.
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