Hearbreaking Video Displays the First and Last Scenes of Game of Thrones characters

 “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

~Benjamin Franklin 

Mr. Franklin would have clearly been a Game of Thrones fan, and honestly, the above quote could just have easily been attributed to Petyr Baelish. The world of A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones is a perilous one, filled with gruesome deaths that are often heart-wrenching and rarely satisfying. Perhaps this is where Vimeo user Fernando Andrés was thinking when he made a supercut that juxtaposed the first and final scenes of some of Game of Thrones‘ most beloved and reviled characters. It is aptly titled:

Valar Morghulis

Take a deep breath, everyone. Now bring it in for a group hug. Feeling better? No, me either. Watching characters like Jory Cassel and Grenn from the Night’s Watch die is still excruciating. However, I am still not over Robb, Talisa, and Catelyn’s death during the Red Wedding…it still hurts, you guys. Fernando does an excellent job with the editing—the side-by-side comparison is perfect. And the cherry on top of this very sad sundae is “The Rains of Castamere” playing throughout…seriously, what an exquisite choice.

Now, while the Stark family annihilation at the Red Wedding is undoubtedly one of the worst and most shocking moments on the show, other things in this video tug at the heartstrings. The Old Bear Jeor Mormont’s death was tough because he was a very popular character. Jojen Reed’s death was a bit of a shock because it hasn’t yet been confirmed in the books, and then there’re the open, weeping wounds that are the deaths of Barristan Selmy and Shireen Baratheon. Much like Jojen, Barristan the Bold and Shireen are still alive and well in the books.

Stannis’ death was another shocker, although one didn’t feel quite as broken up about his death after he approved the ritual burning of his own daughter…even though he went out like a boss. The coup de grâce of this entire “Side-by-Side Journey” is Littlefinger’s speech to young Robert Arryn:

People die at their dinner tables. They die in their beds. They die squatting over their chamber pots. Everybody dies sooner or later. And don’t worry about your death. Worry about your life. Take charge of your life for as long as it lasts.

One of the better quotes from the entire Game of Thrones series, as it clearly points—in a tongue-in-cheek manner—to several deaths, particularly that of Lord Tywin Lannister. This was such a great video, and hopefully once Season 6 starts, we can take Jon off this list. Now excuse me while I curl into the fetal position and cry some more over Catelyn, Robb, and Talisa’s deaths. Too soon, Fernando. Too soon.

H/T  Slate