Game of Thrones isn't known for being the show where everyone lives. Characters are killed off in high numbers, and it's just as likely that a protagonist will be killed as an antagonist – maybe more likely. Some losses this season made me cry, and others made me cheer. But did everyone who appeared to die actually perish? Westeros is a world of loopholes. There are Targaryens who can survive being burnt with fire, sorcerers, blood magic – multiple ways to escape death exist.

Let's look at the deaths of the major characters episode-by-episode and see if anyone made it out.

Warning: In case this isn't obvious, spoilers for Season 5 of Game of Thrones are ahead, but I'm leaving the books out of it.

Episode 1 – "The Wars to Come"

Mance Rayder: After he refused to obey Stannis Baratheon, Mance was set on fire and killed by an arrow unleashed by Jon Snow. I don't see a reason to bring him back into the story so...

Verdict: Dead

Episode 2 – "The House of Black and White"

Mossador: The representative of the slaves of Meereen took an action that forced Daenerys Targaryen to make a difficult decision. He acted outside the law and killed a prisoner awaiting trial, and in order to be fair, Dany had to sentence him to death. Daario Naharis served as executioner.

Verdict: Dead

Episode 3 – "High Sparrow"

Janos Slynt: Jon Snow was put to the test early on in the season because Janos Slynt is an idiot. He refused Lord Commander Snow's order, and the standard punishment for that is death.

Jon delivered the killing blow himself (as he was taught to do by Ned Stark).

Verdict: Dead

Episode 4 – "Sons of the Harpy"

Ser Barristan Selmy: The Sons of the Harpy caused problems in Meereen throughout Season 5. At one point, they trapped a group of the Unsullied and fought Grey Worm and Barristan. Grey Worm made it out, but Barristan sustained more serious wounds.

Verdict: Dead

Episode 7 – "The Gift"

Maester Aemon Targaryen: Aemon was an old man by the time he reached his final days. He seemed to die somewhat peacefully and he was burnt upon a funeral pyre.

Verdict: Dead

Episode 8 – "Hardhome"

Lord of Bones: No one accuses Tormund Giantsbane of being a traitor. When the Lord of Bones (also known as Rattleshirt) accused Tormund of betraying the Wildlings to the Night's Watch, Tormund beat him to death.

Verdict: Dead and maybe undead

The Wildlings at Hardhome: The massacre at Hardhome wiped out scores of Wildlings. They were killed by the White Walkers, and those who were not burned (and most of them weren't) were given a different kind of life by the Night's King.

Verdict: Dead but then undead

Episode 9 – "The Dance of Dragons"

Shireen Baratheon: Desperate to do what he believed to be the right thing for Westeros, Stannis Baratheon sacrificed his daughter based on Melisandre's wishes. There is an outside chance Melisandre cast a glamor on the person burned and it wasn't actually Shireen, but that's unlikely. Melisandre isn't sentimental; I can't imagine why she would feel compelled to save Shireen. However, that would explain why the king's blood wasn't one hundred percent successful and why Stannis allowed it to happen. Going with someone other than Shireen doesn't add up though.

Verdict: Dead

Hizdahr zo Loraq: Daenerys Targaryen's fiancé was pretty useless when the Sons of the Harpy attacked Daznak's Pit. He was stabbed by one of the masked criminals.

Verdict: Dead

Episode 10 – "Mother's Mercy"

Selyse Baratheon: As Shireen burned at the stake, Selyse felt sadness and guilt for putting her there. She couldn't handle her daughter's death and hanged herself outside of Stannis's camp.

Verdict: Dead

Myrcella Baratheon: Myrcella was poisoned by a kiss from Ellaria Sand. Ellaria took the antidote after Myrcella's boat left and saved herself. There is a small chance Tyene Sand shared some of the antidote with Bronn, but I don't feel optimistic. Plus, she went out right when she was about to have some happiness so...

Verdict: Dead

Stannis Baratheon: When we last saw Stannis, Brienne of Tarth's sword was headed towards his neck. She swore to get revenge upon him for his involvement in the death of Renly Baratheon. But, his last words to Brienne were "Do your duty." I think this reminds her of promise to protect the Stark girls and saved his neck. We don't actually see him die, and after he sacrificed Shireen, it seems like it would be a natural decision to show the killing blow – like viewers would want to see it. And this isn't a show that shys away from being gruesome. However, HBO did choose this death to feature on the episode's poster for the "Beautiful Death" series.

Verdict: Probably not dead

Myranda: Theon Greyjoy finally broke out of his Reek brainwashing just in time to save Sansa from being shot by Myranda. He shoved Myranda over the edge of Winterfell's wall and given the splat of blood on the ground, I'd say she's a goner.

Verdict: Dead

Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark: To escape the awful Ramsay Bolton, Theon and Sansa only saw one way out: Jumping off a different wall of Winterfell. They aimed for snow, and I don't think they intended it to be a suicide jump. Having grown up there, Sansa would have an idea of the snow would be like.

Verdict: Not dead

Meryn Trant: Arya Stark crossed the first name off her death prayer list by taking out Meryn Trant when he showed up in Braavos. She took her time and pretty definitively murdered him.

Verdict: Dead

Jon Snow: Ahh, Jon Snow. Kit Harington insists he's done with the series, but is he really? First of all, Melisandre is at the Wall and I can't fathom why she went there. If Jon Snow is actually a Targaryen – the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen – maybe she hopes to acquire more king's blood to rectify her mistake. Or, maybe she thinks Jon is actually Azor Ahai. She has skills. She might be able to resurrect him. If she can work some sort of magic and Jon is actually a Targaryen, a funeral pyre (which is how brothers of the Night's Watch are usually buried so there's no risk of them becoming undead) won't matter. Targaryens don't burn. I don't believe Jon's part in the story is over yet.

Verdict: Probably not dead