Summary
Game of Throneswas one of the best TV shows of all time, right up until it wasn’t. However, what many fans believe to be a poorly-handled ending shouldn’t take away from the excellent episodes that featured throughout the series.
From bloody betrayals to massive wars,Game of Throneshas witnessed numerous high-stakes moments throughout its eight season runtime. On top of that, each season features a particularly great episode that is arguably the highlight and shows how compelling this series can be when everything clicks.
8A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms
The Most Enjoyable Episode Of The Final Season
Season 8 ofGame of Thronesis believed by many fans to be one of the worst television seasons of all time in terms of how it single-handedly destroyed the love people had for an amazing show. However, there are still some highlights to look forward to in this criticized season, such as when the defenders of Winterfell spend some time bonding before the action starts.
The focus on character relations showsGame of Thronesat its very best, and it’s a shame that this approach was missing in the series' latter half. Moments wherethe Hound and Arya bondand Jaime knights Brienne serve to be real treats for fans. Sadly, many agree that the season goes somewhat downhill after the episode ends.
7The Spoils Of War
The People Of Westeros Witness The Threat Of The Dragons Firsthand
“The Spoils of War” is a massive highlight in Season 7 ofGame of Thrones, with many fans loving how Arya Stark finally reunited with her siblings after going through hell and back. However, the best moment in the episode is undoubtedlythe assault led by Daenerys and her army.
Seeing her dragons wreak havoc on the battlefield is a sobering moment for Jaime and the others, showcasing just how powerful the threat of the dragons really is. Despite Season 7’s faults, this is a great example of aGame of Thronesepisode that sees everything click.
6Baelor
Eddard Stark’s Final Episode Is Hard To Stomach
Ned Stark was a character people liked, even if his strict adherence to honor could be a bit frustrating at times. This is what ultimately led to his downfall when he was imprisoned afterfailing to see past Cersei’s treachery.
However, even Cersei didn’t expect her son to order Ned’s public execution in a spur-of-the-moment decision that would ruin Stark and Lannister relations for good. Watching Ned die in front of his daughters is a bitter pill to swallow, and the worst part is that the downfall of the Starks only begins with the beheading.
5Blackwater
The Battle Of Blackwater Bay Gets All The Screen Time It Deserves
With Stannis Baratheon’s armies advancing on King’s Landing, it seems like there’s little to no hope for the defenders. They try to do everything in their power to stop this mighty navy, but every effort falls short of the mark.
This is when the wildfire is finally used, causing a massive explosion that takes out a vast chunk of Stannis' navy and helps the ruling regents secure victory in the nick of time. The battle is directed brilliantly and given the focus it needs, addressing complaints from previousGame of Thronesepisodes. It seems that HBO really shelled out the big bucks to breathe new life into this war scene.
4Hardhome
The Night’s Watch And The Free Folk Mount A Defense Against The White Walkers
The growing threat of the White Walkers culminates in one of the most savage battle sequences in the series with the “Hardhome” episode. In it, Jon and his allies are ambushed at Hardhome by these undead monsters, who bring their overwhelming and ferocious forces into battle andkill off numerous characters.
Eventually, Hardhome falls, and Jon and the others must make a hasty retreat. What makes this loss even worse is that the Night King raises the bodies of the dead, bolstering his forces while making a major dent in the North’s attempt to keep the White Walkers away from the mainland.
3The Lion And The Rose
Everyone’s Favorite Character To Hate Finally Gets What He Deserves
Joffrey Baratheon is one of the most hated villains on television. Jack Gleeson clearly did a marvelous job of portraying this character, to the point where everyone salivated at the prospect of watching his character die.
This finally happened during his wedding with Margaery, where Joffrey was poisoned by an unknown assailant at the time (who turned out to be Olenna Tyrell). He dies an agonizing death, but not beforepointing an accusatory finger at Tyrionin his final moments.
2The Winds Of Winter
Boasts One Of The Greatest Opening Scenes In Television History
The cracks may have started showing in Season 6, but that didn’t stopGame of Thronesfrom delivering two of the best episodes back-to-back. “Battle of the Bastards” offered a brutal showcase of what war could be like, butthe episode that followedshowed fans one of the best opening scenes in a television series.
The music starts on a sinister note, making it clear to fans that something bad is going to happen. It builds up and crescendoes at a shocking moment as the Great Sept of Baelor is blown apart by Cersei in a nefarious plot to kill anyone standing in the way of her and true power.
1The Rains Of Castamere
An Entire Generation Was Traumatized By This Legendary Episode
To this day, there’s something about the Red Wedding that will still make fans wince. It was one of the most brutal moments inGame of Thrones, highlighting justhow ruthless a House could beif they felt that they had been publicly humiliated.
In response to Robb breaking the marriage agreement to marry one of Walder Frey’s daughters, the man signed off on an alliance with the Lannisters and carried out one of the most brutal massacres intelevision history. Robb, Catelyn, and the Stark bannermen were cut down in cold blood in the middle of the festivities, making for one of the most shocking television episodes of all time.
