Game Of Thrones is literally the most successful television show in history. Whether it be rave critical reviews, smashing viewership records, or cleaning up at the Emmy’s, HBO’s Game Of Thrones has redefined what television can be forever.
But as we know, all good things must come to an end, even Game Of Thrones, which is currently airing its penultimate 7-episode season.
10. The Wolf And The Lion (Season 1, Episode 5)
This is the episode where King’s Landing starts to go to hell, and the series starts to round into form. However, that is not the reason this episode is on the list. The reason is because this episode sees Jaime and Ned fight it out, which was genuinely awesome, as they are two of the more skilled swordsman in the realm.
9. The Door (Season 6, Episode 5)
This episode may go down as one of the show’s greatest when it’s all said and done. It had White Walker action, huge plot development with Bran being able to time travel, and the emotional roller coaster that was both Hodor’s origin, and death.
8. Baelor (Season 1, Episode 9)
This is the episode that defined what type of show Game Of Thrones was and gave a glimpse into what show it was going to become: brutal. This episode will forever be famous for the death of Ned Stark. At the time, Ned Stark was the clear protagonist of the show: he was the most well liked, as well as the moral compass of the series. However, do to some Thrones style back-stabbing and scheming, Ned was placed in a dungeon for treason, and then eventually got his head chopped off. All because of his honor. We miss you, Ned.
7. The Mountain and The Viper (Season 4, Episode 8)
This episode featured one of the most anticipated moments in the show’s history: the trial by combat between The Mountain, Gregor Clegane, and The Viper, Oberyn Martell. Paying off an entire season worth of story lines, The Mountain And The Viper faced off in a trial by combat to determine whether Tryion Lannister would be found guilty for the murder of King Joffery. A season of hype ended in true Game Of Thrones fashion: heart breaking tragedy. Oberyn Martell, who was introduced during this season and already became a huge fan favorite, was mercilessly killed off as his head was literally popped like a zit by The Mountain.
6. The Winds Of Winter
When it’s all said and done, the opening 20 minutes of the season six finale is going to go down as one of the show’s greatest moments.
5. Battle Of The Bastards (Season 6, Episode 9)
HBO
The biggest action piece that Thrones has ever done, Battle Of The Bastards had the production value of a major motion picture.
4. The Rains of Castamere (Season 3, Episode 9)
Maybe the most famous episode of Game Of Thrones ever made. Also known as “The Red Wedding”, this episode may have had the biggest plot twist in the history of television. Essentially slaying 2 of the shows 5 leads, The Rains Of Castamere subverted everything we thought we knew about television. It was a bold move by HBO, and it paid off endlessly.
3. Blackwater (Season 2, Episode 9)
Noticing a trend here? Game Of Thrones tends to save their best episodes for the 8th or 9th episode. The entire episode is dedicated to the climactic Battle of the Blackwater, in which the Lannister army, commanded by acting Hand of the King Tyrion Lannister, defends the city of King’s Landing as Stannis Baratheon’s fleet stages an attack at Blackwater Bay. Unlike all previous episodes, “Blackwater” does not follow the parallel storylines of the characters outside of King’s Landing.
2. Hardhome (Season 5, Episode 8)
Hardhome and The Watchers On The Wall are essentially interchangeable, it really depends on your own opinions of the show. Widely regarded as the best ever episode of Game Of Thrones, Hardhome was the first time we really saw the White Walkers in action. Not only that, but this episode also contained the discovery that Valarian steel can defeat White Walkers. Hardhome was a battle mentioned but not seen in the original source material. Thank god the show runners decided to bring it to television, because it resulted in one of the best episodes the show ever made.
1. Watchers On The Wall (Season 4, Episode 9)
This episode has the everything that makes Game Of Thrones the best show on television. Deft writing, beautiful cinematography, and downright awesome action. The first major battle episode since season 2’s “Blackwater”, “The Watchers On The Wall” focuses on just on storyline, a rarity for Game Of Thrones. However, this story line was well worth the focus, as the Battle at the Wall was downright epic. Action packed at both the top of the wall, as well as down below at Castle Black, “The Watchers On The Wall” was the first time fans really saw whether or not Jon Snow can kick some ass, and kick ass he does. This is, by far, the best episode of Game of Thrones so far.
