3. Blackwater (season two, episode nine)
An epic Game of Thrones battle but also one that doesn’t flinch from the savagery of war. As Stannis’s armada approaches, the women take shelter in the Red Keep and Cersei leaves Sansa in no doubt as to their fate should the Baratheons prevail. Joffrey, ever the coward, flees at a crucial moment but Tyrion rallies the defenders and his Wildfire ploy succeeds and Stannis is defeated. The moral complexity is fascinating as equally sympathetic characters are pitted against once another. All our favourites have a moment in a heart-stopping denouement.
2. The Rains of Castamere (season three, episode nine)
The Red Wedding is the most “Game of Thrones” moment in the entire series and it is hard to imagine season eight topping it for sheer, convention-defying deviousness. The Boltons and the Freys turn on the Starks at what was to have been Robb’s knot-tying. He, Catelyn and Talisa Stark die horribly. Roose Bolton utters the immortal zinger “The Lannisters send their regards”. Arya is outside as her family are gutted and beheaded. Heartbreaking, gobsmacking, pulse-bounding, jaw-dropping – Game of Thrones at the bloody zenith of its powers.
1. Hardhome (season five, episode eight)
Season five is generally perceived to be the weakest in Game of Thrones’ history. But you can’t argue with the power of Hardhome as the Night King and his minions overrun the Wildling encampment, Jon Snow and his Night’s Watch brothers powerless to stop them. From the Walkers watching calmly from high above as the wights rush through to Jon Snow’s individual face off against one of the undead, it’s thrilling and exhausting. And then, the Night King walks along the jetty and, in howling silence, raises his arms and with them the freshly slain villagers. All this time later, the scene retains its haunting punch.
