Stannis Baratheon (played by Stephen Dillane) might have done something completely horrific in "Game of Thrones" season 5 - and that is to sacrifice his own daughter Shireen at the stake for the Lord of Light - but King Robert's brother still had legions of fans who were quite upset and heartbroken when Brienne of Tarth (played by Gwendoline Christie) took out her sword called Oathkeeper and killed one of the major players in the HBO series.
The episode's director David Nutter confirmed with Entertainment Weekly that Stannis is indeed dead in the show, even though they did not show the exact moment when Brienne's sword cut through Stannis. "From the beginning, and through the script process, that was the intent - he's dead," Nutter said. He explained that they cut they actual death scene because to have seen it would have felt "gratuitous."
However, it is important to note that season 5 of "Game of Thrones" has really taken a departure from George R.R. Martin's novels, and in fact, that major battle scene between Stannis' men and Bolton's has not even been depicted yet. The only clue about Stannis' death in the books came from a letter which Ramsay Bolton sent Jon Snow, claiming that they have won the battle and that the throne aspirant is dead.
But Martin is a master of deception and misdirection. There have been several times he made it appear as if some characters were already dead, but they are still alive and kicking, just like Davos, whose head and hands were displayed at the White Harbor and yet he is still alive.
So when asked in Live Journal, "Alright Mr. Martin, let's cut the (expletive), is Stannis alive or dead?" The author simply answered, "In my books? Alive, beyond a doubt."
Stannis' death in the show has not been the most upsetting to fans, since many have cried foul over the death of Jon Snow, the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. His shocking death was the last scene showed in season 5.
He was tricked by his brothers from the Night's Watch that his Uncle Benjen was somehow alive, but when he excitedly got out of his chambers, he was confronted by several of his brothers, who stabbed him to death several times.
The scene closed with Snow lying on the ground with a body pool beside him, but many are claiming to have seen the color of his eyes change at the last second, and are willing to bet that he will be back next season.
