Ned Stark may not heed this warning, but it rings true throughout the series.
Over its eight-season run, Game of Thrones had many iconic quotes, each giving insight into a particular character or situation. Some are even praised for breaking the fourth wall, like Ramsay Bolton’s (Iwan Rheon) haunting reminder, “If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.” After the much-hated series finale, these words seemed very fitting, but that only describes the ending. One line from the first season succinctly summarizes the entire show. Before the war even begins, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) tells Ned Stark (Sean Bean), “When you play the game of thrones, you win, or you die. There is no middle ground.” The honorable Ned may not heed this particular warning, but it rings true throughout the series.
This quote provides the show’s title, which is different from the one George RR Martin chose for his book series, A Song of Ice and Fire (though the show shares a name with the first novel in the series). Beyond that, the quote concisely sets expectations that the series fulfills. As the characters fight for the Iron Throne, few survive their attempts to gain power. Even competent players of the game don’t make it out alive. The ruthless game involves strategy, determination, and no small amount of luck, but the only consistent rule is that the losers die, as Cersei said. Everyone from poor Ned to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) enters the game and pays for it with their lives. There are few winners who remain unchallenged at the conclusion, proving the truth in Cersei’s words. Her two sentences make it the only quote to truly define Game of Thrones.
‘Game of Thrones’ Is Appropriately Named
Though there is a lot going on throughout the series, the central part is the question of who will rule. After Robert Baratheon’s (Mark Addy) death, Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) should be the king, except that Ned uncovers the truth that Joffrey isn’t Robert’s son — and so a war breaks out, with Joffrey, Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), and Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) vying for the throne. They are quickly joined by Robb Stark (Richard Madden) declaring himself the King in the North and Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) taking the title of King of the Iron Islands. Of course, Daenerys also seeks the throne, and others attempt to gain power, if not a crown. The Tyrell family wants to boost themselves, and Varys (Conleth Hill), Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), Cersei, Tywin (Charles Dance), and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) try to manipulate those around them.
Certainly, there is plenty of competition as they play the game Cersei described — but the proof is in the deaths that the series is known for. As the fight for the crown continues, each claimant dies, and new players come forth to take their place. The constant turnover in the cast shows how brutal this so-called game is. The show centers on the fight for the crown, though there are certainly other complications, specifically the White Walkers. But even that universal threat cannot stop the ongoing competition for the crown.
In ‘Game of Thrones,’ the Losers Die
There are plenty of examples of those who lose the game of thrones — first, with Ned’s beheading. Though Ned didn’t try to claim the throne himself, he entered the game as the Hand of the King and wanted to impact the succession after learning the truth of Joffrey’s birth. Next, the leaders in the “War of the Five Kings” start dying off. Robb’s death at the doomed Red Wedding takes out most of his army and inducts the house Frey into the game as they switch sides for power. Unfortunately for them, they are not well-equipped, and the entire house is wiped out for their actions. Similarly, the Tyrells align with the Lannisters, who make Margaery (Natalie Dormer) the queen. This rise in station leads to the devastation of their house, and by the end, no Tyrells remain. Cersei plays the game for a long time, asserting each of her children’s claims, but they die, leaving Cersei to try to rule herself and ultimately dies.
