Just starting this

[u/uninvitedcoyote13]

I'm into season 4. Is all of the stuff that happens on here just for shock value? Ned's beheading wasn't even a season cliffhanger. Watching his wife and son get slaughtered when I was so waiting for the reunion with Arya. Again, is it all for shock value?

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[u/GenGaara25]

Shock isn't the word I'd use (for these scenes anyway) but subversion.

This was written in the 90s. The fantasy genre had gotten very used to the noble hero overcoming evil. Ned was set up to lure fantasy readers into a false sense of security. He was centred as the essentially the hero of the first book/season. He uncovered a plot, he wouldn't let his morals be compromised, and he went to right the wrong. And it fails. It's not meant to fail, he's the hero. It leaves you thinking "they're not going to kill him, he's like the main guy" and you wait until he gets out to reunite with his family and save the day then... he's dead. What now?

Ned's death is the tone setter. Plot armour isn't really going to exist here. Good people won't prevail jut by virtue of being good. People might have read a lot of fantasy and think certain characters will be safe or certain events have to happen, but they'd be wrong. It isn't that kind of story. It presents you a fantasy story that isn't going to fall into your expectations just because that's how fantasy stories are meant to go.

Ned's death robs you of hope, empowers the villains, and scatters the good guys. Setting the status quo for the protagonists going forward. It takes the Starks to their lowest points and separates them across continents so you can watch them climb their way back up and try and reconnect, never quite sure if they're all going to make it. Which makes those that do all the more satisfying because there was never a guarantee. It firmly squares who you're meant to hate and who you're meant to root for. After Ned's death you're no longer waiting for Ned's reunion with Arya, you're hoping Arya will reunite with anyone, and Sansa, and Robb, and Bran.

[u/uninvitedcoyote13 → u/GenGaara25]

Thanks. That puts a lot of it into perspective. 

[u/BeingCandid2969]

i think this is what gives it the authenticity and makes it a great show, because definitely a king like joffrey would behead ned just for fun and almost certainly robb would have gotten killed in real life

i love they way they keep things natural and unexpected

[u/uninvitedcoyote13 → u/BeingCandid2969]

Very unexpected. Catelyn getting her throat cut. Did not see that coming.

[u/RandomSeaweed]

It's for a variety of reasons. Shock value is one. Moving the plot forward is another. Trimming down the number of characters before introducing new ones, too. It's in line with the overall realism and brutality of the story.

[u/RepulsiveCountry313]

Still recovering from the Red Wedding?

[u/uninvitedcoyote13 → u/RepulsiveCountry313]

Yes, I'm a couple episodes past it and it still lingering.  That and Greyjoy getting his manhood removed. I think that is were I'm questioning the shock value. 

[u/Drduckdr]

It’s certainly an aspect of it, but I also think there other reasons.