HBO’s Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Ned Stark Moments

For part 2 of our Game of Thrones recap, we take a look at the honourable and sometimes rigid Eddard Stark. Sean Bean was a fan favourite even before the show was cast, and lives up to expectations. morally good characters tend to come off as 1 note and boring but Bean’s Ned is nuanced and sympathetic. We see many sides of the stoic Lord Stark in the first 5 episodes. Let’s take a look at the…

Top 5 Ned Stark Moments

5. Beheading the Deserter~Episode 1

Ned: In the name of Robert of the house Baratheon, first of his name, king of the Andals and the first men, lord of the seven kingdoms and protector of the realm, I Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and warden of the North, sentence you to die.

Reasoning: This scene was released as a 15 minute preview before the actual premiere. We saw it in a dozen promotions and trailers. When the first episode finally aired, I would bet my direwolf that I wasn’t the only one who could recite it verbatim.  Still, it is the perfect introduction to our heroic Lord Stark, and the cold cruelty of the North. He’s powerful, and unyielding, but takes no pleasure in what he has to do. From the get go we see he’s ruled by duty, honour, and family. Maybe he should have been born a Tully.

4. Standing Up to the King~Episode 5

Robert: The whore is pregnant.
Ned: You’re speaking of murdering a child.

Reasoning: Ned won’t go against his principles, even if it means angering his king. He refuses to go along with the plan to murder Dany and her unborn child and gives up his position of power when the council refuses to se things his way. What makes this scene special is the moral and political complexity of the argument. We feel for Ned (and Dany_ but is he right? His point is morally sound, but is it the right thing to do?

3. Death of a Lady~Episode 2

Reasoning: Lady’s death caused an uproar. Killing an animal just rubs people the wrong way. Ned does his best to convince his king (and one time friend) to spare the wolf and man-up, but it does no good. In true Stark fashion, Ned does the deed himself. Even for those who’ve read the books, this scene was hard to watch.

2. Watching Arya Dance~Episode 3

Reasoning: We could have filled the entire list with moments between Ned and his children (and half with Arya alone) but this scene sums up what makes Sean Bean a great Ned.  The Scene is simple.  A father watches his daughter’s first sword-fighting lesson. Ned starts off grinning as his little girl slashes and stabs, but as the camera pulls in closer, the practice blades ring like real steel. He realizes just how dangerous his world is becoming. Ned doesn’t say a word. His haunted expression says it all.

1. Ned Vs The Kingslayer~Episode 5

Reasoning: Finally, some action! Jaime Lannister find Ned and his men outside of Littlefinger’s brothel and a fight ensues. Jaime  makes short work of Ned’s guards (bye Jory), and Ned goes head to head with the Kingslayer himself. You can sense the history between these two men. Every one of Ned’s strikes is weighted with anger. He wants Jaime dead for his past and present crimes. Jaime loves ever minute of it. The battle ends when Ned is speared from behind and falls to the ground. It wasn’t a fair fight, and that begs the question.  Can an honest man like Ned really survive in King’s Landing?

Don’t agree with this list?  What scenes did we miss?  Tell us in the comments.

Check out the rest of our Game of Thrones Articles:
Game of Thrones: Top 5 Moments of Episode 10~Fire and Blood
Game of Thrones: Top 5 Moments of Episode 9~Baelor
Game of Thrones: Top 5 Moments of Episode 8~The Pointy End
Game of Thrones: Top 5 Moments of Episode 6~A Golden Crown
Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Supporting Characters Who Need More Screen Time
Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Tyrion Lannister Moments
Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Daenerys Targaryen Moments
Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Ned Stark Moments
Game of Thrones: Getting Past the Fantasy
Game of Thrones 1-5: Top 5 Arya Moments