Game of Thrones is well known for keeping its characters in a moral gray area, but which major players went through the biggest redemptions?
Game of Thrones often earned wide acclaim for its production values and action sequences, but those would mean nothing without the incredible characters. Well-written characters are integral to a good story, and it's often what the most extravagant movies and shows are missing.
Unlike most fantasy stories, Game of Thrones isn't often interested in concepts of good and evil. Many of its characters inhabit a moral gray area, and even more undergo fantastic character arcs that see them redeeming various aspects of their character. In Game of Thrones, even the most detestable villain isn't above a good redemption arc.
Sansa Stark was never a villain, that much is certain. But she nevertheless undergoes one of the greatest redemptive character arcs of the entire series. She begins a defenseless girl in King's Landing, completely at the whims of Cersei and Joffrey Baratheon and used as a hostage to control House Stark as much as possible.
But as the series progresses, she gradually becomes a strong and powerful Queen, confidently ruling Winterfell and somewhat avenging her father by having Littlefinger executed at the hands of Arya.
In many ways, Samwell's character arc resembles Sansa's. He begins as quite a pitiful member of the Night's Watch - cowardly, unable and unwilling to fight, and scared of most things. But his adventures beyond the Wall force him into action, and he becomes the first on-screen character to kill a White Walker.
It's easily one of the series' most badass sequences, and it redeems Samwell as a worthy member of the Night's Watch. His talents are then put to better use, curing Jorah of his greyscale and unveiling the true lineage of Jon Snow.
When audiences meet Brienne of Tarth, her reputation has been somewhat tarnished among the citizens of Westeros. She was a member of Lord Renly Baratheon's Kingsguard, but she was unable to save him from Melisandre's weird shadow demon thing. Not only that, she was blamed for his murder.
Her reputation in tatters, she subsequently swore fealty to Lady Catelyn and began her adventures with Jaime. By the end of the series, she had redeemed herself in the eyes of Westeros, even being knighted by Jaime Lannister in the halls of Winterfell.
Despite being one of the primary heroes of Game of Thrones, Arya Stark nearly ventured into villain territory. Things were looking quite dire by the beginning of season 7, when Arya killed the men of House Frey, baked their remains into a pie, and fed it to Walder Frey before killing him.
In short, Arya was a brutal assassin who wasn't above some truly deplorable acts of violence. Luckily, in the end The Hound manages to snap Arya out of her vengeful desire for violence. She also singlehandedly saves Westeros from the invading White Walkers by killing the Night King.
Melisandre began her arc as one of the series' biggest and most mysterious villains. She was allied with Stannis Baratheon and often used her mysterious source of magic to influence the tide of war. For example, sending the aforementioned shadow demon to kill Renly Baratheon, thereby giving Stannis a clearer path to the throne.
She undergoes a great character arc, and she ends the series as one of its biggest heroes, serving as a major player in the climactic Battle of Winterfell.
Tyrion begins the series as one of its most morally questionable characters. Despite his intelligence and penchant for kindness, he is undoubtedly allied with House Lannister, even leading the defensive forces of King's Landing during Stannis's failed invasion.
He also desperately hopes for the fatherly recognition of Tywin, despite Tywin being one of the cruelest men in Westeros. Luckily, Tyrion eventually changes sides and aids Daenerys in her quest by serving as her Hand. Unfortunately, this in turn only results in more tragedy...
Also known as The Onion Knight, Davos Seaworth began his Game of Thrones story allied with Stannis Baratheon. He began his life as a professional smuggler, and it was this job that earned Davos the trust of Stannis. Unfortunately, it also resulted in Stannis cutting the fingers off his left hand.
However, Davos and Stannis begin to drift apart owing to the increased influence of Melisandre. He subsequently becomes one of the key heroes in Westeros, serving on King Bran's Small Council.
Theon Greyjoy is one of the most notable antiheroes throughout Game of Thrones. His role is significantly expanded in season 2, when he betrays the Starks and invades Winterfell to claim it for house Greyjoy. As Ser Rodrik rightfully says, "Gods help you, Theon Greyjoy. Now you are truly lost."
However, Theon turns back to House Stark following his torture at the hands of Ramsay Bolton, freeing Sansa from Ramsay's clutches and eventually dying to protect Bran in the Battle of Winterfell.
One of the best character arcs of the series belongs to Jaime Lannister. Jaime begins the story firmly devoted to both House Lannister and his sister Cersei. And while his devotions continuously waver throughout the proceeding seven seasons, he eventually sides against Cersei and rides North to aid in the fight against the White Walkers.
It's here that he makes up with Tyrion and Bran and knights Brienne. Unfortunately, his character arc regresses in season 8 when he returns to King's Landing... and Cersei.
Jaime eventually ruins his own redemption arc by returning to Cersei and dying in her arms. That is not the case with The Hound. The Hound begins Game of Thrones as Joffrey Baratheon's personal bodyguard, and while it's clear that he harbors no deep-rooted loyalty to the Lannisters, he nevertheless serves as their violent errand boy.
Luckily, that ends in season 2, and The Hound begins a fatherly relationship with Arya Stark as he carries her across Westeros. He ends the series by freeing Arya of her seemingly insatiable need for revenge and killing his brother, Gregor Clegane.
