The Top 25 Episodes of Game of Thrones
In the words of the honorary members of the Night's Watch: "Now our watch has ended".
73 episodes later, "Game of Thrones" has come to and end. Many will debate the legacy of the series thanks to the mixed quality of its final episodes. But as those debates rage the internet, we can always look back and remember the episodes that stand tall as the ones that made their mark on the TV landscape.
It was a close call, with many almost making the list, but ultimately, there could only be 25 winners. Without much further ado, here are the 25 best episodes of Game of Thrones.
SPOILERS AHEAD
25. The Dragon and the Wolf (Season 7, Episode
7)
The Season 7 finale had the unenviable task of righting the ship after the show took a big quality hit for the first time in its history with the penultimate episode, “Beyond the Wall”. Fortunately, “The Dragon and the Wolf” proved to be a fine return to form as the show contracted its story to a few key plot points as it finally cleared the deck to set the stage for the final six episodes of the series coming in Season 8. With great moments like great character dynamics from characters you’d never seen on screen together; the death of Littlefinger that put an end to a wretched story that’d plagued the Winterfell side of things; the ultimate, definitive reveal of Jon Snow’s parentage and the arrival of the Night King and his Army past the Wall, “The Dragon and the Wolf” set up the endgame for Game of Thrones nicely.
24. Kissed
by Fire (Season 3, Episode 5)
Game of Thrones biggest strength in its writing has always been in dealing in the gray area of moral ambiguity, which in turn allows the viewers to sometimes sympathize with the villains while also understandably dislike the so called “heroes”. In "Kissed by Fire", Jaime Lannister, one of the more despicable characters from the first two seasons, went on an immense humbling journey that began defining his role for Season 3 and beyond, getting his hand chopped off and brought so low, this is the episode where you finally start “liking” this guy, as masterfully done in the pool scene opposite Brienne of Tarth. Also of note is Jon Snow and Ygritte’s consummation of their relationship, and the notable battle between The Hound and Lord Beric Dondarrion, which introduced “resurrection” into the world, something that would become very important a couple seasons later.
23. The Old Gods and the New (Season 2, Episode
6)
On a season defined a little bit for some bloat and undefined structure (something that changed for the better with the glorious “Blackwater”), “The Old Gods and the New” was a nice center point of memorable moments for Game of Thrones Season 2. Big moments like the introduction of the Wildling Ygritte, the kidnapping of Daenery’s dragons, the mutiny at Kings Landing and more importantly, the full heel turn of Theon Greyjoy as he executed Ser Rodrick in front of Bran and Rickon Stark led to a very eventful episode for the second season.
22. Mhysa
21. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Season 8 turned out to be a big disappointment at the end of the day, and it's a fact that won't die down in the countless debates online in the days/years following the series finale. But amidst all that disappointment, it is good to remember a point where things were rosier earlier on, and the second episode of the season proved to be one of the most emotionally fulfilling "calm before the storm" episodes they've ever had. For anyone following the series, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" was Game of Thrones at the things it did well, and it was so fulfilling seeing what seemed to be most characters' last night on earth. The episode would have landed much higher on the list if the episode following it, "The Long Night" hadn't diminished the power of most of the goodbyes on this one thanks to the incessant plot armor. Still, one of the more wonderful cathartic episodes of the series, and the bright spot of the mostly disappointing final season.
20. The Dance of Dragons (Season 5, Episode
9)
Game of Thrones has set the precedent where the penultimate episode of a season would always be the one people would always remember the season by, as seen with Seasons 1 through 3. However, from Season 4 onwards, while the penultimate episodes would always be big, they’d now be a bit overshadowed by other big developments from episodes around it. In Season 5’s case, “The Dance of Dragons” had the unfortunate timing of following a surprisingly big and exciting episode like “Hardhome”. So in a way, this episode fell a little bit short of the “big” feeling you’d expect a penultimate episode to have. With that said, this episode still have its resounding moments, like the incredibly heartbreaking sacrifice of Stannis Baratheon’s daughter Shireen (a moment that could be seen as the show crossing its misery line past the breaking point), and the triumphant battle at the fighting pits in Meereen, where once again the might of Daenerys’ dragons was there for all of us to see.
19. The Watchers on the Wall (Season 4.
Episode 9)
Continuing the trend of big penultimate episodes that didn’t define the season overall, we also have Season 4’s epic “The Watchers on the Wall”. Serving as a sort of spiritual sequel to Season 2’s glorious “Blackwater” episode (specially both on structure and using the same director), this episode now turns its focus to the Wall section of the show, as Jon Snow and the Nights Watch hold an ultimate defense against Mance Rayders’ Wildling Army. While in a way the episode is a bigger spectacle than “Blackwater”, “The Watchers on the Wall” is held back a bit for being an entire story focused on a conflict that had been mostly divorced from some of the more compelling aspects of Season 4. Despite that, this episode is still a good showcase of how far the show’s budget had come to be able to do battles like this, when before they would be skipped outright.
18. The Climb (Season 3, Episode 6)
This is the episode with one of the most satisfying visual setpieces of the entire series: Jon Snow’s climb of the Wall with wildings Tormund and Ygritte. When you think of memorable visuals from the show, it doesn’t get bigger than the triumphant visual of Jon Snow and Ygritte’s big kiss at the top of the Wall with the North as the background. Other memorable moments from "The Climb" is Littefinger’s “Chaos is a Ladder” speech, which tells you a lot about the show’s most duplicitous character, and big developments involving the planning of some upcoming weddings, and we all know how those turn out.
17. Mother’s Mercy (Season 5, episode 10)
Season 5 of Game of Thrones will go down as one of the show’s most brutally difficult seasons to watch, as the show’s propensity for darkness and misery took a step or two too far. With that said, its final run was a riveting culmination of a year full of sadness, as many characters, either good or bad, had to pay some sort of penance for their mistakes. How to forget the incredibly messed up walk of shame of Cercei Lannister (one of the most messed up things I’ve ever seen on TV), Arya Starks brutal assassination of longtime baddy Meryn Trant, which she had to pay the price of disobedience by going blind, Jaime Lannister’s happiness of reuniting with his daughter get cut incredibly short by her untimely death, and Jon Snow getting shanked by his brothers for being honorable and rescuing the Wildlings from certain death. The end of "Mother's Mercy" was the mother of all cliffhangers and made for quite a depressing, if not downright satisfying, finale.
16. Winter is Coming (Season 1, episode 1)
With so much change having happened throughout the series, it is always hard to remember how satisfying the initial chapter was. Introducing a new world with compelling characters within the first episode is always a tricky thing, but Game of Thrones established a compelling hook from the beginning, showing you a fantasy world more preoccupied with politics and scheming than the usual might and magic. This was all led by a compelling performance by main character Eddard “Ned” Stark, played with understated grace by Sean Bean. Coupled with a compelling diverse cast throughout different parts of the continent, as well as a messed up ending, and “Winter is Coming” had all the ingredients to set the stage for a compelling new series.
15. You Win or You Die (Season 1, episode 7)
“You Win or You Die” is the episode where the significance of the show’s title finally came into play. One of Season 1’s greatest strengths was its methodical build up, taking its time to set its world before upending a lot of things nearing the home stretch. This episode is the one where you could see the show was about to get real, with the introduction of one of the show’s best characters, Tywin Lannister, giving new context to the Lannister side of things; Daenerys’ surviving an assassination attempt that gave her and the Dothraki the drive that would carry her for the rest of the series; Jon Snow finally embracing the path he signed up for by reciting the Nights Watch vows; and ultimately, the unraveling of Ned Stark as his constant nobility was no match to the sinister scheming of everyone at King’s Landing.
14. Fire and Blood (Season 1, episode 10)
“Fire and Blood” is the episode that
definitively showed that the events of its previous episode were not a lie, and
the show completely was playing against established conventions in a way that catapulted
Game of Thrones from great show to
global phenomenon. At the time, the TV landscape had never seen a show being so
brave to upend itself the way this one did, and the season finale was a great
table setting episode for the unpredictable journey the show was about to take
us in. It also was the episode that fully introduced more fantastical elements to the show, particularly with the iconic final image of an unscathed Danny
emerging from the fire with new dragons in tow. It was a great way to cap a
fantastic debut season.
13. The Mountain and the Viper (Season 4,
episode 8)
“The Mountain and the Viper” may be
most remembered by the fantastic final few minutes featuring the battle of
Oberyn Martell against the muscular Mountain. However, the most memorable
aspect of this episode is how it basically served as part 1 of a two part finale
divided by the battle at the Wall episode smacked right down the middle. So
many Season 4 stories came to their conclusion in this episode, like the banishment
of Jorah Mormont from Daenery’s servitude and Sansa Stark earning her confidence
to play the scheming game from Littlefinger. It’s a great example of one of Season
4’s greater strengths: playing with its format.
12. And Now His Watch is Ended (Season 3, episode
4)
“Dracarys”
This single line has become one of
the show’s most iconic phrases, all thanks to the glorious ending with Daenerys
Targaryen seizing control of the Unsullied Army of 8,000 soldiers, right after
she unleashed her dragons upon the Slave Masters of Astapor. It’s one of the
most glorious, fist bumping moments of the entire show, and an inflection point
for the Khaleesi who’s had it rough since the death of Khal Drogo and her rough
Season 2 story in Qarth. Coupled with important moments like Jaime beginning his
season long humbling by carrying his just recently severed hand on his neck, the
beginning of Margaery Tyrell’s manipulation of Joffrey and the death of Lord
Commander Mormont of the Nights Watch in the nasty mutiny of Craster’s Keep, “And
Now His Watch is Ended” started the ball rolling for big moments outside the traditional
penultimate episode, emerging as one of Season 3’s most memorable episodes to
date.
11. The Lion and the Rose (Season 4, episode
2)
After the big events that concluded
Season 3, there was a sense from most viewers (specially non-book readers) that
it was going to be so hard to ever be shocked by the show again.
Then the show went ahead and said, “You ain't seen anything yet.”
“The Lion and the Rose” is one of
the most cheer inducing episodes of the entire series, finally giving
viewers some reprieve by taking out one of the show’s most despicable villains
in Joffrey Baratheon, which fans have wanted dead since his despicable actions
at the end of Season 1. After three seasons of seeing the bad guys emerging
victorious, it was a great shift in power dynamics, and a great statement for a
fourth season that would continuously surprise and delight from here on out.
10. The Laws of God and Men (Season 4,
episode 6)
Season 4 is one of the more
consistently satisfying seasons of the series, with so many iconic moments and
a willingness to experiment with the show’s format. This season found great
success in a big way on how to structure all its multiple stories, particularly
letting some play for a lot of time to increase dramatic impact. The death of
Joffrey came after an extended satisfying scene at his wedding, and “The Laws
of God and Men” finds even greater success in the format with the extended
scene at Tyrion Lannister’s unfair trial for Joffrey’s murder. Backroom
politics have always been a strength for the show, and this trial brought some
of the better performances from many cast members, including Peter Dinklage’s
Tyrion Lannister, whose scathing monologue near the end stands tall as his
greatest moment in the series.
9. The Door (Season 6, episode 5)
"Hold the Door"
"Hodor"
While death and tragedy had always
been a staple for the series, I’m someone that was always left shocked at
certain characters’ deaths, but never went on full on sobbing like some of the
reactions you’ll see in the internet. But Hodor’s death got to me in a way a
show’s death hadn’t got me since Charlie died at the end of Season 3 of Lost. The death of Hodor was Game of Thrones at its stylistic and
writing best, as his death was coupled with the introduction of time travel to the series, delivering the origin of how young Wyllis became Hodor at the same time it gave us
his last hurrah. Thank you for holding "The Door", Hodor.
8. Battle of the Bastards (Season 6,
episode 9)
If you needed definitive proof the
production crew of Game of Thrones is
capable of meeting and surpassing the standard set by fantasy movies when it comes
to big battles, look no further than the “Battle of the Bastards”. Following on
Season 6’s new found goal to provide payoffs left and right, this episode is
one of the biggest sweeping victories for the good guys in the entire series, coupled
with some of the most technically accomplished battle scenes the series has ever aired.
It’s worth applauding the effort the cast and crew pulled to do a battle so
intricate and well realized like this one, as it almost makes up for glaring problems
like the lack of any meaningful surprises and a very contrived way for the
battle to turn the tide. Overall, a fantastic technical accomplishment.
7. The Children (Season 4, Episode 10)
After the show took a slight detour
with the impressive battle at the Wall, “The Children” was a momentous way for
the show to wrap up not just the surprising season it had, but also wrapping up
the adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s book “A Storm of Swords” as well as
wrapping up what could be seen as the first full act of the entire series. From
game changing moments like the sword fight between The Hound and Brienne of
Tarth that basically left the Hound almost dead; to Arya renouncing her Stark
heritage by leaving Westeros on her way to the city of Bravoos; to Danny making
a definitive decision with her dragons and Tyrion murdering the father that
held him in contempt for so long and sentenced him to die, “The Children” stands
tall as one of the show’s better season finales.
6. The Spoils of War (Season 7, episode 4)
Season 7 is not Game of Thrones at its best (and was saved from being the show's weakest had Season 8 not taken that crown from it). With that said, wow if its fourth episode, “The Spoils of War” didn’t deliver one of the most epic moments in the entire series. From its tight length, big moments like Arya reuniting with Sansa for the first time since Season 1, Arya’s stylish sparring with Brienne of Tarth, Jon verbally sparring with Daenerys to the epic final battle sequence known as the “Loot Train Battle”, “The Spoils of War” had all the ingredients to be one the show's typical penultimate episode bangers, and it all happened in the fourth episode of the seventh season. More importantly, the show took great advantage of all the character development it had set up for the past seven years, leading us to feeling conflicted on which side to pick in this battle since we liked the main characters on both. Overall, Season 7’s most satisfying entry, and one of the best episodes of the series. If only the other Season 7 spectacle episode, “Beyond the Wall” had even delivered close to what this did…
5. Hardhome (Season 5, episode 8)
Before this episode aired, there was a certain apathy surrounding the conversation around Game of Thrones Season 5. The glacial pacing of the first five episodes
and the big mistake committed on Sansa’s story in the sixth episode was seen as
an egregious error. However, Season 5 turned the corner pretty massively
leading to its last four episodes, where things got incredibly real by the
arrival of the Night King and his Army to the Wildling setting in "Hardhome". Finally,
after years of hearing the phrase “Winter is Coming”, “Hardhome” gave us the first taste of the danger winter brings to Westeros and did it with one of the most
epic final sequences of the series as the horror of the White Walkers was finally felt. Suddenly, we knew how intense the endgame could be, and while its ultimate resolution in Season 8 didn't 100% justify the build up, “Hardhome”
gave us the best first taste.
4. Blackwater (Season 2, Episode 9)
There is a lot to like about the
show’s second season. In many ways, it helped expand the show after
the great setup from the first season. However, there was also a nagging sense
that the show’s sprawling nature was maybe diminishing things a bit, with no
defined central character after what happened at the end of the first season as
well as no clear idea for what the ultimate goal of the season was. The
penultimate episode, “Blackwater” was a glorious way for the show to provide much
needed context to what the real spine of Season 2 was, as well as serving as a
great inflection point for the series as they finally attempted a real time battle
sequence with their (at the time) limited budget. Also notable is how this was the first episode to meaningfully change the show's format
to focus solely on this battle. “Blackwater” was a triumph for the cast and
crew when it aired in 2012, and while it’s been great seeing the technical
wizardry of the show improve from this point onwards, the first time they did it is always
special. Thanks to this episode, Season 2 emerged as one of the more rewarding
seasons of the series.
3. Baelor (Season 1, Episode 9)
“Baelor” is the exact moment where
the show went from something great to a cultural phenomenon. It was the moment the
show planted its flag on the floor and declared to us it wouldn’t play by traditional
story conventions, made very clear when Sean Bean’s Ned Stark, visibly serving
as the face of the show in HBO’s marketing materials, got beheaded at the hands
of Joffrey at the end of the episode. People didn’t want to believe a show
would do this, which was reconfirmed in the season finale "Fire and Blood" when it showed Ned’s headless
head. From this point onward, the show became unpredictable, rising up a notch
even when the season that preceded it was so great to begin with. If anything,
the show wouldn’t be this popular if this moment wasn’t executed as well as it
was.
2. The Rains of Castamere (Season 3,
Episode 9)
If viewers were hopeful that Ned
Stark’s beheading was the true end of the show playing their audience with
delicious contempt, they got a rude awakening when Ned’s wife Catelyn and son Robb Stark got murdered at the hands of Rose Bolton and Walder Frey ("The Lanninsters send their regards") in the midst of what seemed like
an innocuous wedding. Famously known as the “Red Wedding”, this is the moment
executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss got the inspiration to turn
George R.R. Martin’s books into a TV series. One quick Youtube search to see
people’s reactions is enough to see they got the scene right. If Ned’s death sent
this show into the stratosphere, the Red Wedding cemented the show in the pantheon
of all-time greats.
1. “The Winds of Winter (Season 6, episode 10)
"The Winsd of Winter" is pretty much Game of Thrones’ masterpiece.
Following the technical genius that was the “Battle of the Bastards”, the same
director, Miguel Sapochnick, managed to even top himself by delivering Game of Thrones' most stylistically
different episode of the entire series. The first sequence, which basically runs
for 30 minutes, is Hitchcockian in the way it builds suspense as its ready to
wipe out so much cannon fodder in the Sept of Baelor. From the directing style
to composer Ramin Djawadi delivering his most memorable show tune yet, the destruction of the Sept of Baelor stands tall as the show's most suspenseful, most technically proficient and best executed scene in its history, which says a lot in a show that delivered moments like the Red Wedding and the Battle of the Bastards.
The rest of the episode is no slouch either. Running at a beefy 75 minutes long, the episode expertly uses its length to deliver closure to so many long running threads. From Arya Stark returning to Westeros to bring the Red Wedding betrayal to a close with her execution of Walder Frey; Jon Snow exiling the Red Priest Melissandre from the north after learning of the murder by fire of Shireen Baratheon; the mystery of Jon Snow's parentage revealed seconds before we see him being declared the new King in the North; Cersei Lannister reaping the harvest of her Sept of Baelor destruction by becoming the new queen of Westeros and finally, after a six season journey, Daenerys Targaryen was finally on a boat with her armies in tow to make her definitive return to Westeros, signaling the beginning of the end for the series.
Epic, cathartic and satisfying, "The Winds of Winter" set the stage beautifully for the final act of the series. And while the ultimate resolution brought by Seasons 7 and 8 may have not lived up to its setup, as an individual episode in the context of the entire series, it stands tall above the rest as the show's best episode yet.
Written by Alejandro Segovia
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