Game of Thrones was one of the keystones of popular culture in the 2010s. Based on the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, it transported audiences to a dark fantasy world focused on political intrigue between noble houses, all while an army of the dead gathers in the North, and an exiled princess prepares to reclaim her birthright beneath the shadows of dragons. The early seasons were regarded as some of the greatest episodes of television thanks to their high production value, but it all came crashing down when the show surpassed Martin’s books and ended in one of the most hated final seasons in television history.
Since its conclusion, HBO has been busy producing other shows set in Martin’s world, such as the two prequels, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Years of technological advancements have resulted in impressive production values, but few episodes compare to peak Game of Thrones, many of which still hold up today.
10
“The Spoils of War”
Season 7, Episode 4 (2017)
Image via HBO
In the aftermath of the fall of Highguarden, Ser Jaime Lannister transports gold back to King’s Landing so Queen Cercei can repay the Iron Bank of Braavos. News soon reaches Daenerys on Dragonstone, which throws a wrench in her ongoing negotiations with Jon Snow about mining dragonglass for the war with the White Walkers. Meanwhile, Arya Stark finally returns to Winterfell and reunites with her surviving siblings.
“The Spoils of War” was the show’s first use of an adult dragon against an army, and it made a strong foundation for House of the Dragon to expand upon. Matt Shakman’s directing perfectly captures the horror and intensity of the fantasy equivalent of a napalm strike, followed up by a Dothraki cavalry charge that validates King Robert Baratheon’s fear of fighting Dothraki in an open field from Season 1. It’s even got some moments of heroics from the Lannister side of things, such as Bronn shooting down Drogon with a scorpion bolt, and Jaime’s attempted suicide charge to kill Daenerys.
9
“The Door”
Season 6, Episode 5 (2016)
Image via HBO
With Daenerys lost in the Dothraki waste, Tyrion Lannister and Varys meet with a high-ranked Red Priestess of R’hllor to help quell the tensions in Meereen. In Westeros, Jon Snow attempts to rally the north against Ramsay Bolton, while the Ironborn hold a Kingsmoot to choose their new leader following the death of King Balon Greyjoy. Beyond the Wall, Brandon Stark learns the origins of the White Walkers, but his reckless use of his powers allows the Night King to enter the cave of the Three-Eyed Raven, and it will take many sacrifices to ensure Bran’s survival.
“The Door” remains one of the biggest bombshell episodes in Game of Thrones thanks to its gut-punch of a climax. Not only does it further solidify the Night King as the overarching antagonist and kill off several side-characters who could have been crucial allies against him, but it also reveals the fate of everyone’s favorite gentle giant, Hodor. Bran is given a front row seat to the consequences of recklessly using his powers, and Hodor’s entire life is recontextualized into perhaps the show’s biggest tragedy.
8
“The Winds of Winter”
Season 6, Episode 10 (2016)
Image via HBO
The trial of Queen Cersei and Queen Margaery Tyrell turns tragic as Cersei ignites a hidden stash of Wildfire, killing her enemies in one fell swoop. In the North, Ser Davos Seaworth confronts Melisandre over the death of Princess Shireen Baratheon, and Bran learns the truth about Jon Snow’s parentage. Across the sea, Daenerys finally sets sail for Westeros and finds allies in the enemies of Cersei Lannister.
“The Winds of Winter” consistently ranks among the best final episodes in any Westeros show, and a big part of that is the first 10 minutes. A combination of Miguel Sapochnik’s direction and Ramin Djawadi’s haunting music creates this air of mystery that slowly builds to dread as more and more info is slowly revealed. By the time the audience and the characters figure it out, it’s too late to stop the green inferno from consuming the Sept of Baelor and all within.
7
“Hardhome”
Season 5, Episode 8 (2015)
Image via HBO
After many trials, Tyrion has finally reached Meereen and convinces Daenerys to let him serve her. Back in Westeros, Cercei is held by the Faith Militant, and the Boltons prepare to face Stannis Baratheon’s army. Meanwhile, Jon Snow leads an expedition to the Wildling settlement of Hardhome to convince them to join forces with the Night’s Watch before the army of the dead claims them all.
The titular “Hardhome” easily ranks as one of Game of Thrones’ best battle sequences. The atmosphere is perfect: before we even see a wight, there is a slow, horror-inspired build-up, relying on fear of the unknown to make the army of the dead scarier than ever before. Once the dead become visible, it’s a mad dash to freedom, with highlights including Jon Snow dueling with a white walker, the giant Wun Wun wielding a flaming club, and the Night King ending the episode with a silent demonstration of his powers.
6
“Battle of the Bastards”
Season 6, Episode 9 (2016)
Image via HBO
Daenerys finally returns to Meereen and, with the aid of her dragons and new Dothraki army, repels the slaver coalition and wipes out the Sons of the Harpy. Back in Westeros, Jon Snow prepares for battle against Ramsay Bolton for control of the North, despite being hopelessly outnumbered. On the day of the battle, Ramsay uses Rickon Stark to bait Jon into a trap, and the battle quickly breaks down into a slaughter.
The production quality in “Battle of the Bastards” feels like it should belong in theatrical movies. The action is intense, up close, and relentless, making audiences feel as if they are caught in the middle of the blood and carnage alongside Jon, especially after the initial cavalry charge. Another standout moment is when Jon’s army is surrounded by the Boltons, and he is nearly suffocated beneath the bodies of his own men.
5
“The Laws of Gods and Men”
Season 4, Episode 6 (2014)
Image via HBO
All eyes in Westeros are aimed at King’s Landing as Tyrion Lannister stands accused of murdering King Joffrey Baratheon. A trial is held, judged by his father, Tywin Lannister, as well as Mace Tyrell and Oberyn Martell, but it soon becomes apparent that the trial is rigged so that Tyrion has no chance to prove his innocence. Elsewhere, Yara Greyjoy attempts to rescue her brother, King Stannis Baratheon seeks a loan from the Iron Bank, and Daenerys gets a taste of the difficulties that come with balancing ruling a city while raising dragons.
“The Laws of Gods and Men” features Game of Thrones’ writing at its best, and aside from Yara’s story, it relies on strong dialogue and character moments over action. It all comes from the trial, which sees multiple characters trying to outmaneuver one another to get their desired outcome. Then it ends with what is easily the highlight of Peter Dinklage’s career, as he taps into decades of hatred and pain as he gives a well-deserved dressing down to the people of King’s Landing before rending all of that careful maneuvering moot by taking fate into his own hands.
4
“Baelor”
Season 1, Episode 9 (2011)
via HBO
Lord Varys visits Eddard Stark in the Black Cells and attempts to convince him to make a false confession of guilt to spare the Realm from war. Meanwhile, Tyrion is sent to battle in the first clash between Lannister and Stark forces, and Eddard’s wife, Catelyn, negotiates with the stingy Lord of the Crossings, Walder Frey, for use of his bridge. In Essos, Khal Drogo is weakened by infection, and Daenerys turns to dark magic in an attempt to save his life.
“Baelor” was the episode that cemented Game of Thrones as a cut above other TV shows when it ended with the shock execution of the season’s main character. As Ser Ilyn Payne decapitated Eddard with his own Valyrian Steel greatsword, the message was clear: this was a show where actions have consequences, and nobody was safe. Even before Eddard’s shocking death, the episode has lots of great character moments, from tense negotiation scenes to a fast-paced duel between Ser Jorah Mormont and Qotho.
3
“Blackwater”
Season 2, Episode 9 (2012)
Image via HBO
As Stannis Baratheon launches his invasion of King’s Landing, Tyrion Lannister takes charge of the defense and decimates Stannis’ fleet with a ship full of Wildfire. Unfortunately, Stannis has more than enough men to continue the assault, so the Lannisters make a desperate stand at the Mud Gate to deny them entry. Meanwhile, Sansa Stark and the rest of the castle’s women hide in Maegor’s Holdfast, where a drunk Cersei threatens to shatter their morale with harsh truths about what should happen if the city falls.
“Blackwater” was the first major battle episode of Game of Thrones, and remains one of the best. This is because of the pacing just as much as the visuals: the episode keeps the focus solely on King’s Landing and spends a fair bit of time before the battle on character interactions. Of course, the visuals are amazing, with the Wildfire explosion being the standout moment thanks to the sheer levels of brutal destruction on display, and the stunning image of the night coming alive with green fire.
2
“The Watchers on the Wall”
Season 4, Episode 9 (2014)
Image via HBO
As night falls over The Wall, the King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder, lights the biggest fire the North has ever seen. This is the signal for the raiding party of Tormund Giantsbane and Ygritte to attack Castle Black from the rear while his main army attacks the gate with giants and mammoths. Ser Alliser Thorne and Jon Snow must put aside their differences and lead the Night’s Watch in a counterattack, lest the Wildling host claim the Wall and have full access to the Seven Kingdoms.
“Blackwater’s” director, Neil Marshall, returns for “The Watchers on the Wall,” and took everything that he learned there to make an episode that is arguably the best battle in the show. The pre-battle character work is superb, especially for Ser Alliser, as it allows the audience to see a more noble and heroic side to a character who, up until this point, was a harsh bully who delighted in picking on Jon and his friends. The actual battle is full of miniature epic moments, including Ser Alliser’s duel with Tormund, Grenn’s stand against the king of the giants, and Jon’s battle against Styr.
1
“The Rains of Castamere”
Season 3, Episode 9 (2013)
Image via HBO
As Bran Stark and his party take shelter in an abandoned windmill, they spot Jon Snow in the company of Tormund’s raiding party, which quickly becomes a fight for his life when he refuses to execute an old man. Further south, King Robb Stark and his army arrive at the Twins for the wedding of his uncle, Edmure Tully, to Roslin Frey, while Sandor Clegane makes his own way to the wedding with Arya Stark. However, midway through the evening, the festivities turn into a bloodbath.
Watching “The Rains of Castamere” is like witnessing a tragedy. In an instant, normalcy is traded for calamity, and though you know you should look away, the horror of it all keeps you locked in place until it’s over. Over a decade since the episode first aired, there’s nothing else on TV that has managed to capture that same feeling of shock and loss as House Stark fell to its lowest point.
