#WinterIsHere. Well, it almost is anyway. The seventh season of Game of Thrones is scheduled to premiere this Sunday, July 16. For fans of the show, it has been quite a long wait since Season 6 ended on June 26, 2016.
With the show’s return under a week away, we thought it would be fitting to come up with a ranking of the top 10 Game of Thrones episodes so far. With 60 episodes to choose from, picking 10 should be easy, right? However, with so many memorable characters and with many brutally meeting their demise, 10 memorable episodes is a difficult challenge.
With that in mind, here are this author’s picks for the top installments of HBO’s hit Game of Thrones. Obviously, if you are not caught up, spoilers abound, so tread lightly because, after all, the night is dark and full of terrors.
10. “The Laws of Gods and Men”
Game of Thrones usually saves its most memorable episodes for the end of the season, but the sixth episode of 10 in the fourth season is a great way to start off this list. This episode featured the trial of Tyrion Lannister, played by Dinklage, for the murder of King Joffrey.
Dinklage has won a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmys for his performance in Game of Thrones, and the ending of this episode shows why. Upon hearing fabricated testimonies from those wishing to see him condemned, Tyrion delivers a long speech ending with his declaration that he would not find justice here and seeks for the gods to decide his fate.
Ignoring his brother Jaime’s pleas to admit his guilt, Tyrion takes a risk and demands a trial by combat.
9. “Winter is Coming”
I had to include the very first episode of the series, as it introduced the audience to this Lord of The Rings– like world. Not only do White Walkers make an appearance, but you also begin to see the rivalry between the Starks and Lannisters when they visit Winterfell.
The Starks also venture from Winterfell and begin the process of splitting up that only may be resolved with their reunion in the upcoming seventh season. The audience sees Daenerys for the first time and learns about the Targaryens who seek to reclaim the Iron Throne.
Finally, this episode sets a precedent of leaving the audience with a cliffhanger. In this case, Bran Stark discovers the relationship between Cersei and Jaime. In response, Jaime pushes Bran from the tower, starting the chain of events that leads Bran to become a warg.
A fruitful night at the 2016 Emmys last fall for the Game of Thrones cast, led by Peter Dinklage, has added to the anticipation of Season 7. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
8. “The Dance of Dragons”
This episode borrows its title from the last book George R.R. Martin has written, and it fits. The episode ends with a battle at the fighting pits in Meereen. Although Daenerys does not want to bring back slavery, she brings back the fights to appease the Sons of the Harpy.
Despite this act, the Sons’ attack at the end of the episode leaves the audience to wonder whether they will survive. Dany’s dragon, Drogon, appears and kills some of the Sons to save Jorah, Missandei, Tyrion, Daario and Dany. By the end, Dany fearlessly escapes on Drogon’s back.
7. “The Mountain and the Viper”
Previously, Littlefinger had pushed Lysa Stark out the Moon Door in the Vale as the audience learned of Littlefinger’s treachery. Even though Martin claimed that Littlefinger was the most changed character from the books to TV, he is still one of the show’s most dangerous characters, and it will be exciting to see where the show takes his character this season.
Ending this episode is the trial by combat alluded to earlier in this countdown. The Viper refers to Oberyn Martell, who seeks vengeance against the Mountain Gregor Clegane.
Everything seems to be going well for Tyrion in this fight. But this being Game of Thrones, you should expect things to go wrong. An article by Film School Reject’s Neil Miller recently claimed that Martell’s death was the last death on the show “that truly had any weight.” (Sorry Hodor). It is an interesting read because now that the show has journeyed past the books, it has seemed more cautious in killing off significant characters.
6. “Baelor”
The friend that introduced me to the books and eventually this show told me a story once that he knew Eddard Stark would die simply because actor Sean Bean portrayed him. Even so, Ned Stark’s surprising beheading at the hands of King Joffrey caught many who have not read the books by surprise. This scene showed that no one was safe in this fantasy epic. Arya Stark was present during this moment and it this episode that sets in motion her revenge plan to take names off her list of those responsible for Ned’s death.
5. “The Lion and the Rose”
This episode throws the saga into chaos. By the end, King Joffrey is poisoned at his own wedding, leaving the future of the Iron Throne to Joffrey’s brother, Tommen, who proves a reticent replacement. Littlefinger is later revealed to be the culprit behind this act, truly showing that in the game of thrones you win or you die.
(Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)
4. “Hardhome”
This is an amalgamation of different scenes in the book, and it is never something that Martin describes in significant detail. However, this did not make the episode any less epic. Jon Snow escapes death in this fight against the White Walkers with the revelation that his sword is made of Valyrian-steel and one of the only weapons you can use to kill a White Walker.
At the end, however, the Night King raises more of the dead to join his army to demonstrate how big of a threat the White Walkers will be in the coming seasons.
3. “The Winds of Winter”
Game of Thrones left off last summer with the episode names for the unreleased penultimate title in Martin’s series. Cersei destroys the Sept of Baelor with wildfire, killing the Faith Militant, Margaery Tyrell and Loras Tyrell. These actions lead to Cersei’s coronation as queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
Bran Stark’s ability to see memories also gives the audience a glimpse at the Tower of Joy giving readers a confirmation of a fan theory that readers had uncovered through Martin’s various clues. Jon Snow is not Ned Stark’s son and his Targaryen father gives him a claim to the Iron Throne. However, until Bran can return to Jon to reveal this to him, he will know nothing.
Finally, this episode fulfills the long-anticipated act of Daenerys bringing her massive army to Westeros, setting up a thrilling seventh season.
2. “The Rains of Castamere”
For those who have not read the books, each chapter is told from a different character’s point of view. Catelyn Stark is the character who details her son Robb Stark’s actions as the King in the North.
Upon first reading the chapter this episode covers, I was unsure what just happened. I flipped ahead and began looking for more Catelyn POV chapters, and when none appeared I knew the worst had happened. The Red Wedding is one of the most shocking events on this show, and there really is not much more to say beyond this brief description.
1. “Battle of the Bastards”
The ninth episode of Season 6 contains one of the best fight sequences you will see on TV or in the movies. Jon Snow brings his army back to Winterfell to reclaim his home from Ramsay Bolton’s control. The ensuing episode is better seen than described in words.
Although this battle has a predictable ending, it makes for one of the best episodes that Game of Thrones has aired to date and deserves to claim the top spot on this ranking.
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