Throughout its eight seasons , the HBO series Game of Thrones has become notorious for killing off characters. Based on the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones taught its audience that no one is safe in the world of Westeros as early as Season 1, when Ned Stark, the supposed leader of the series, lost his head. Since Ned's death, Game of Thrones has killed off countless characters, with only a handful of episodes ending completely bloodless.
However, despite the bloody nature of Game of Thrones , some characters have managed to survive, even making it all the way to the series finale. While some of these characters seemed destined to die, they pulled through. Even years after the show ended, fans still can't believe that these characters actually still exist.
Tyrion Lannister cheats Death countless times
Tyrion Lannister, one of the main characters of Game of Thrones , has escaped death countless times throughout the series. He escaped execution in the Vale after Bronn fought for him at a trial, escaped the Battle of the Blackwater with a horrific scar, and fled Westeros after being sentenced to death for the murder of King Joffrey. After all these narrow escapes, many fans believed that Tyrion would finally 'sign out' in the final season.
At the end of Game of Thrones season 8, it seemed like Tyrion's time had finally come. After Daenerys razed King's Landing, Tyrion resigned as Hand of the Queen, and she ordered his arrest. However, Tyrion escaped death once again while in captivity, convincing the remaining nobles to adopt a new system for selecting the rulers of Westeros. Tyrion eventually served as Hand of King Bran.
Meera Reed never returned
In Season 3, Bran Stark and his friends encounter Meera and Jojen Reed while fleeing Winterfell after Theon's takeover. Meera and Jojen help Bran and Hodor reach the Three-Eyed Raven beyond the Wall, with Jojen sacrificing his life in the process. Shortly after Hodor's death, Bran and Meera return to Winterfell, and Meera leaves Bran to help her family at Greywater Watch.
Meera's farewell to Bran marks the last time viewers see or hear from her. Fans never hear what happened to Meera Reed at Grewater Watch, so presumably Meera and her family survived the White Walker attack.
Gilly survived Game of Thrones
A rarity in the world of Westeros, Gilly has a kind heart. After Sam rescues Gilly and her newborn son from her abusive father Craster, beyond the Wall, the two fall in love. Amazingly, Gilly is left unharmed by the end of the series, even as she and her son, now named "Little Sam", arrive at Winterfell to fight in the Battle of the White Walkers.
Kindness and innocence often get characters killed in Game of Thrones, but Gilly and Little Sam survived throughout the series. Fans last saw Gilly as she and Sam said goodbye to Jon Snow, who was on his way to Kings' Landing. Gilly revealed to her friend that she was pregnant, and that if the baby was a boy, she would name him after him. Gilly was mysteriously absent from the series finale, but it's possible that she and her children are still with Sam, now the Grand Maester.
Daario Naharis is still in Essos
Daario Naharis has come a long way in his relatively short tenure on Game of Thrones. He started out as a simple mercenary for the Second Sons, then, after falling in love with Daenerys, became a key ally as she ruled Meereen. However, when Daenerys set off for Westeros in Season 6, she left Daario in charge of Meereen, freeing her to pursue a more strategic love interest back home.
Daario is a bold and reckless warrior, so his chances of survival are slim. However, he does survive and achieves a position of political power. Since Daario missed the last two seasons of Game of Thrones while watching over Meereen, he was spared some of the series' deadliest battles. This allows the character to survive, unlike most other bold mercenaries.
Yara Greyjoy Survives The Game of Thrones Finale
Fans first met Yara Greyjoy, known as Asha in the books, during Theon's visit to the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones season 2. Tough, ruthless, and fierce, Yara acts like a true Ironborn. She has risked her life for her brother multiple times throughout Game of Thrones, testing fate with each rescue mission.
After the deaths of her brother, Theon, and uncle Euron, Yara became the last Greyjoy and Lady of the Iron Islands. As a proud warrior, it is surprising that Yara did not fall in battle like the other Greyjoys. With the rest of her family dead, Yara must uphold the traditions of the Iron Islands.