 Poniewozik continued : " We knew this would be a significant episode if for no other reason than that it contains the scene — alluded to in the episode 's title — that gives the series its name , " a sentiment Sepinwall agreed with . Myles McNutt , writing for Cultural Learnings , also considered " You Win or You Die " a climactic moment in the series . IGN 's Matt Fowler noted that this was the episode that saw Ned Stark " unfortunately thwarted by his own honorable intentions , " but that his " stubborn nobility is what makes Ned such a great character . " 
