Warning: This article contains spoilers for the most recent episode of Game of Thrones, “Beyond the Wall.”
Death is never far away when it comes to and tonight’s episode was no exception. Several men found their icy deaths during the northern expedition in “Beyond the Wall,” including one major side character who met his end at the claws of a massive, undead polar bear. (There was also that other major death we’re still reeling from.)
https://twitter.com/ms_lovely904/status/899444179054587906
This is that polar bear from Lost. #GameOfThrones #demthrones
— Imani Gandy (Orca’s Version) ⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) August 21, 2017
I love bears. I don't think I love this bear. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/LklSRFpmVw
— Faith D'Isa (@FaithNoMoar) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/strangeinvader/status/899443422104244225
The huge, decomposing bear tore its way easily through our brave little crew, which included Jon Snow, Beric Dondarrion, Jorah Mormont, Tormund Giantsbane, Gendry, the Hound, Thoros of Myr, and a handful of expendable Night’s Watch brothers.
Thoros, the drunken red priest who resurrected Beric Dondarrion a total of six—yes, SIX—times, was no match for a few hundred pounds of zombie bear. Thoros survived the initial mauling after Beric cauterized his wounds with a flaming sword. But it didn’t take long for Thoros to succumb to the frigid northern cold. The death seemed to hit the other men hard, but they didn’t have much time to mourn before having to again fight for their lives.
Thoros’ death is a loss on two levels. First, the fight for the living just lost a talented warrior. And second, as the Hound noted, without Thoros to heal him, Beric is on his last life. Beric and Jon are the only characters on the show the Lord of Light has decided to bring back (through the intervention of his red clergy members). In a conversation between Beric and Jon, they guess that means they have some unfulfilled purpose. But it’s unclear how much farther Beric will get without his companion and healer, Thoros.