Ranking The Most Badass 'GoT' Relationships

"Love conquers all," they say, but George R.R. Martin and the showrunners on Game Of Thrones were like, "Haha, not so fast, saps." As we know from the HBO series that just wrapped up its fifth season, love really is not the name of the game in the seven kingdoms and beyond, where it's better for your survival if you're single and ready to mingle. There are countless disgusting and unfortunate relationships on Game of Thrones that exist solely for political gain, like Ramsay Bolton & Sansa Stark or Margaery Tyrell and... well, everyone, but even in the dark times and even with winter coming, true love has managed to prevail on Game Of Thrones... for a short time, until it's stabbed in the back, or the front.

Of course, that doesn't mean there are plenty of great odd couples on the show that aren't romantically involved: If you were to use "relationship" as an umbrella term, ranking the Game Of Thrones pairs would be futile, because how can you compare the greatness of Jamie & Bron to that of Tyrion & Varys? But that's not what we came here to do. So let's take a look at the seven most badass more-than-just-friends relationships on Game Of Thrones, ranked from mildest levels of bassassery to "WHY DID YOU KILL THEM, GRRM?":

7. Robb & Talisa

Maybe sadness has caused you to block out this story because it was just too heartbreaking, but I'll never forget Robb Stark's love for Talisa the nurse. Even though he was leading a fierce army and he was already betrothed to one of Walder Frey's daughters, Robb fell in love with Talisa, a woman from Essos working as a healer.

This story is badass because: At least they gave up everything for love, and their love was true and pure, even though it was basically their commitment to each other that led to the gruesome Red Wedding. You can't help who you love, right? Although, maybe, you should rein those feelings in a little bit if you're contending with Walder Frey, the epitome of pure Evil. At least Robb and Talisa bravely faced death together, which is inherently, and tragically, badass.

Oberyn & Ellaria

Damn. Prince Oberyn of Dorne and his paramour Ellaria Sand were really just fire. Besides the fact that they casually had orgies together wherever they went, these two really did love and respect one another. If there's one thing you can say for the late Prince, it's that he loved and respected women as much as he could show them a good time. Hell, he died fighting for the honor of his sister who was murdered by the Mountain in the sack of King's Landing.

This story is badass because: Oberyn and Ellaria are literally badass, and they have a bunch of headstrong, terrifying daughters together, the Sand Snakes. I have to take some points away for them being a bit too impulsive because of their deep love, though; Ellaria really screwed the pooch last week when she poisoned Myrcella Lannister, who Oberyn promised to Cersei Lannister would be protected in Dorne. Oops!

Sam & Gilly

So maybe Sam and Gilly are more awkward than sexy, but theirs is definitely one of the most stable relationships on the show — all things considered. There was never any doubt that Sam would be a good dad, because he's like, the best guy ever, but Gilly is really the stronger one. She was brave enough to leave the hell of Craster's Keep, and besides trying to be a mom in Westeros, Gilly braves the wall. Thank god they escaped Castle Black and went to the Citadel, because I want this family to work!

This story is badass because: These two are healthy and viable as a relationship, and Game Of Thrones has very little in the way of healthy, viable couples.

Grey Worm & Missandei

The sweetest relationship on Game Of Thrones by far is between two of Daenerys' favorite people: her handmaid, Missandei and the Unsullied soldier Grey Worm. But how will they have sex if he's a eunuch? Everybody wants to know. But I say, isn't there enough sex on this show that you can allow one innocent, true love to blossom?

This story is badass because: They are both incredibly brave, but still shy and adorable with all of their furtive glances and flirting. This is definitely the sweetest relationship the show has ever seen. May the old gods and the new help them.

Khal Drogo & Khaleesi

I know others would probably put Khal Drogo and Khaleesi higher up on this list, but I still have issues with the fact that Daenerys was literally sold to him. Still, they worked, even though they didn't speak the same language, and not just because they were both hotties. Dany learned how to harness her power as the queen and Khal Drogo learned how to love his moon and stars.

This story is badass because: She literally ate a heart for him and then had those baby dragons.

Jon Snow & Ygritte

Leave it to the saddest boy in the seven kingdoms to fall for a woman who was wrong for him in so many ways, but right for him in SO MANY more. Jon Snow, the most forlorn man the Night's Watch ever saw, falls for Ygritte, a brassy woman from beyond the wall.

This story is badass because: They came from different worlds and fell in love with each other, because Ygritte made Jon Snow break his vow because she was just too sexy, and because she constantly put him in his place and reminded him that he knew nothing.

Ned And Catelyn Stark

Ah, the OG couple in the Game Of Thrones universe. Even though we didn't get to see much of their love play out onscreen due to the untimely death of Eddard "Ned" Stark because of his goddamn honor, but they were truly, wonderfully in love, and that really made it all the worse.

This story is badass because: They raised a whole gang of strong, badass little Starklings, and would do anything for their family. If only, if only Ned had lived...

Don't get too attached to any of the couples that are still making it on Game Of Thrones, though; as we know from the Season 5 finale and the entire TV series and book series and everything George R.R. Martin has ever said, it's win or die ONLY, and there's no time for love. Look alive, people!

Images: HBO; Giphy (7)