It has been a while since Game of Thrones wrapped up its eighth and final season, but fans still cannot get enough of HBO’s hit fantasy drama. While the final season sparked plenty of debate between fans, most viewers would agree that the series among the best that television has to offer. Here is a list of the best episodes from each season that fans should totally binge right now.
Season 1 Episode 9: “Baelor”
The penultimate episode in the first season of Game of Thrones
set the tone for the rest of the series. After falling in love with Ned Stark
(Sean Bean) for the first eight installments, fans watched in shock as King
Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) ordered his execution.
Apart from Ned’s tragic death, this episode also saw Lord Mormont (James Cosmo) give Jon Snow (Kit Harington) Longclaw, a sword that he used throughout the remainder of the show.
Season 2 Episode 9: “Blackwater”
This episode was the best of the season for several reasons. For starters, it was the show’s first big battle scene and showed off HBO’s large budget. Secondly, it displayed Tyrion’s (Peter Dinklage) genius as he defended King’s Landing against certain defeat.
The installment also featured The Hound (Rory McCann) leaving the
ranks of the Lannisters, intertwining his fate with Arya Stark (Maisie
Williams).
Season 3 Episode 9: “The Rains of Castamere”
Ned’s death was the first big shocker of Game of Thrones,
but it pales in comparison to what went down at The Red Wedding in “The
Rains of Castamere.”
After Robb Stark (Richard Madden) appeared to be well on his way to winning the rebellion, Walder Frey (David Bradley) double-crossed him at the wedding, proving yet again that no character is safe. Robb perished in the slaughter, as did his wife and unborn child and his mom, Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley).
Season 4 Episode 2: “The Lion and the Rose”
This episode of Game of Thrones left fans both elated that Joffrey was finally dead, and set up one of Tyrion’s best moments in the series. At Joffrey’s wedding to Margaery Tyrell tensions between Tyrion and his nephew hit an all-time high moments before King Joffrey is killed by poison. Cersei immediately has Tyrion arrested for the murder which culminated in his speech in “The Laws of Gods and Men.”
Honorable Mention Episode 6: “The Laws of God and Men”
This episode could also have been titled “Tyrion Lannister’s
Trial.” Like “Blackwater,” this installment offered another
brilliant performance from Dinklage after Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) put
his son on trial.
While this installment is probably the best in season 4,
honorable mentions include “The Lion and the Rose” and “The
Mountain and The Viper,” which witnessed the conclusion of Tyrion’s trial.
If you have extra time, you wouldn’t lose anything binge-watching those two
again.
Season 5 Episode 8: “Hardhome”
There is an argument to be made that the Battle of Hardhome is the best battle sequence in all eight seasons of Game of Thrones. It also came during what some fans considered was a slow-moving season that focused on the struggle between Cersei (Lena Headey) and The High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) more than anything else.
The battle, of course, is the first time fans were shown the full
strength of the White Walkers and their army of undead creatures. It also set
up the next three seasons and made it clear that the Night King was a force to
be reckoned with.
Season 6 Episode 9: “The Battle of the Bastards”
Speaking of amazing battles, the Battle of the Bastards easily
stole the show in season 6 of Game of Thrones. The battle was a filming
masterpiece, but it also brought Jon Snow together with the show’s most
unlikable villain since Joffrey, Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon).
Watching Jon and his army defeat Ramsay and take back Winterfell is about as satisfying as it gets. It also set the stage for Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) to cement herself as one of the most important leaders in the North.
Honorable Mention Episode 10: “The Winds of Winter”
In the season 6 finale, Cersei eliminates a lot of her enemies by blowing up King’s Landing but loses Tommen to suicide. Arya takes out Walder Frey in the Riverlands. Jon Snow is named King in the North and his true parents are finally revealed. And in the East, Daenerys and her massive alliance set sail for the Seven Kingdoms.
Season 7 Episode 7: “The Dragon and the Wolf”
There is a reason this episode snagged eight Emmy awards. Not
only did it reunite most of the main characters of the show, but it also
revealed some major fan theories that had circulated for years.
While Cersei and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) met to negotiate terms in King’s Landing, Sansa and Arya took down Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) in Winterfell. By the end of the episode, we finally learn that Jon is a Targaryen and has a rightful claim to the throne.
Season 8 Episode 5: “The Bells”
Daenerys Targaryen’s true nature is finally revealed as she — and her last dragon — reduce the city to ash and kill thousands of innocent people. The look on Jon Snow’s face said it all as we all had trouble watching this episode of Game of Thrones.
Honorable Mention Episode 2: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”
Season 8 of Game of Thrones is still a hot topic among
fans. Despite what many people think of the show’s final run, “A Knight of
the Seven Kingdoms” was among the best in season 8.
Although this episode of Game of Thrones did not feature any major battles, like in “The Long Night” or “The Bells,” it featured some amazing moments with the show’s main characters. Between Arya and Gendry (Joe Dempsie) hooking up to Jon telling Dany about his parents, there is a lot to like in this one.
