His Watch Has Ended: Beric Dondarrion
Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion in Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones has entered its final season and that means it’s time to take stock of the show as a whole. But rather than do a set of episode reviews, we decided to take a little inspiration from the books for our post-mortem. George R.R. Martin’s still unfinished series features chapters based on the point of view of its characters, so each of these posts will review their individual journeys in the show as they come to their end, whether peacefully or violently - this is Thrones, after all.
We’ll ask the same set of questions for each character, reflect on where they came from, where the events of the series took them, and where we leave them. How effective was the show’s approach to the character, and is their ending satisfying? What purpose did each character serve throughout the series?
If it isn’t already obvious, this is MEGA-SPOILER territory, so beware if you’re not fully caught up on the show.
Also check out:
Melisandre
Theon Greyjoy
Lyanna Mormont
Jorah Mormont
Beric Dondarrion
Where did he come from?
Blink and you’ll miss it, but Beric Dondarrion (David Michael Scott) was actually introduced in Season 1 when Ned Stark orders him to execute the Mountain for treason and murder. He was the head of House Dondarrion and killed off-screen by the Mountain, but later resurrected by Thoros of Myr before forming the Brotherhood Without Banners. We meet him again in Season 3, this time played by the current actor (Richard Dormer), and he becomes a semi-important member in the fight against the dead, completely unbothered by the politics of King’s Landing.
Where did the show take him?
Beric is re-introduced in Season 3 after the Brotherhood Without Banners captures a party that included the Hound, Arya and Gendry. After losing in a trial by combat to the Hound, Beric is resurrected by Thoros for the sixth (and final) time. Guided by the Lord of the Light, Beric heads North, where he is captured by Tormund’s wildlings and eventually set free by Jon and joins forces with him for the rest of the show.
Where does his story end?
Beric’s story ends where it should – fighting the dead and serving the Lord of the Light. In his case, that meant sacrificing himself to save Arya and the Hound, so that Arya could fulfill the prophecy and be the biggest badass in all of Westeros.
Does the character redeem himself?
He redeems himself in the sense that although he never accomplished what Ned set him out to do, he faithfully serves the Lord of the Light and saves Ned’s daughter. The Mountain will have to wait for the Hound instead.
Is his ending satisfying?
There weren’t many expectations for Beric to begin with. Though he was instrumental in introducing the show to magic and shed more light on R’hllor, it was apparent from the beginning that he was an expendable character, and once Thoros died there was no chance he would be resurrected for a seventh time.
It is interesting, though, that the last shot has Beric dying in a crucifix, becoming a clear symbol of sacrifice and giving his life to Arya and the Hound.
What role did this character player in the overall storytelling?
Foreshadowing. That was probably Beric’s biggest contribution to the show. His revival was the first hint that a major character would die, only to be brought back to life. Most predicted accurately that it would be Jon, whom Melisandre resurrects after she learns Beric was revived by Thoros six different times. Otherwise his role for most of the show is to serve the Lord of the Light and help Jon fight the Night King. Oh, and also to reveal Gendry as a Baratheon bastard and selling him to Melisandre.
Best moment on the show
His most heroic may be saving Arya and the Hound, but the most WTF moment came when the Hound cut through his shield and shoulder and nearly severed his arm during the trial by combat, only to come back to life again thanks to Thoros. Honourable mention goes to his sick sword throw to save Arya in the castle.