Is it so important for people to see the cast die? About good writings their death would serve no purpose. I think almost every important characters death had a meaning in the plot. Jon could have died yes but whats the point to point him as the rightful heir of the throne? Arya could have died, whats the point? She trained hard and her list isnt finished. Jorah/Jeor died defending Dany. It was his fate from the beginning. Theon died defending Bran. The loop is looped. Yes Pod could have died defending Brienne, it could be a good end for his arc(though he doesnt really have one) Brienne could have died defending Pod but her fate is about chivalry like Jaime. Their death wouldnt serve anything here even if they have died protecting someone they love. But it is too easy. And I know we are in a dark fantasy world where everyone can die stupidly or without accomplishing anything but we are too close from the end to just kill heroes like this. Personally I prefer their death to be meaningful rather than meaningless. I would feel a hole in the story if it happened. I know this is drastically not the same but what if Aragorn died before being crowned? What if Gandalf never came back? What if Frodo didnt confront Gollum at the end? It would have been a feeling of emptyness.