You know, I was thinking - why wasn't Ulfric executed before everyone else at the beginning? You've got everyone lined up, and the leader of the terrorist/murder/rebel group right in front of you. Shouldn't he be first, not only to remove the danger he poses as soon as possible, but to set an example for the rest of the rebellion and criminals you have there?

I mean, sure, execute the rude red-head first by all means, but then shouldn't the very next person being the dangerous leader of the rebellion, not the random, dressed in rags person you randomly grabbed during your raid? I mean really, why am I so important that I have to go before Ulfric? You even called his name first - I'm patient. I'll be polite and wait my turn in line. Not in any hurry here.

Save the best for last.

Plot convenience monster demanded it?

I don't think so.

It could've worked two ways. Either it was to kill Ulfric's men first in a form of torture and to break Ulfric. In addition, I believe even in the old days.. executions were a sick form of entertainment/ moral boaster/ order placer (like Arena's). By keeping the most hated guy for last, it would keep an audience to watch.

The other way is kill Ulfric and deal a "possible" blow to the Stormcloacks. Or he could be placed as a Martyr and the Nords would rally around his image.

I wager, they wanted to show the people a show

Whats better way to end someones life then killing their followers in front of them show all their hard work was for nothing.

Or this works, too.

Both well said.

It's the classic superhero/super villain plot device. Villain goes to elaborate lengths to capture hero, activates complex apparatus designed to kill said hero, then either monologues or leaves the room entirely while hero escapes just in the nick of time.

Except.. who is our villian and who is our superhero. I don't think that is quite right .

That's because it's a twist! Did the villain escape the heroes, or did the hero escape the villains?

I say the villain is the sload. They will take over Skyrim by destroying the rest of Winterhold with their huge butts!

Or.. the hero was Lokir of Rorikstead.

Man will be missed for being so heroic and brave.

Or perhaps, Lokir survived the multiple arrows that pierced him and he woke up in the ruins of Helgen. He then ran into the Dragonborn, killed him and took his identity. Only speculation.

Imperials love their bureaucratic policies. In all seriousness, I don't think they thought they were going to be attacked, so they probably thought, "we have all the time in the world, what's the rush?"

Well, who would have guessed Alduin, the World-Eater God of Destruction will come rampaging in that very town during that very specific time?

Exactly

Exactly! It comes down to which side you identify with.
There are worse fates than asphyxiation via butt. it really comes down to the butt in question.

Esbern or Runil or maybe Sissel I doubt but there could be a chance or better yet Paarthurnax

Nah. He helped get rid of some cliffracers heading towards Sjyrim once he died. The archers were just aiming for them and him.

Yay for plots not making sense. But seriously, it makes no sense. If I had the chance I would've killed him on the spot, screw order. If you can cut the head of the snake then why not do it.

Because they didn't do what you would have done, it doesn't make sense?