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With the return of Game of thrones comes the arrival of a new threat that no one has seen coming.
The threat in question – The Golden Company – has already been mentioned in the series, especially in the last episode of season seven, when Cersei (Lena Headey) apparently agrees to a temporary truce with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington ). ) in an attempt to overcome the looming threat of White Walkers.
However, she later revealed to Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), in distress, that she intends to use this opportunity to her advantage, thanks to a mysterious group called The Golden Company.
We will tell you what is true. You can form your own view.
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Earlier in the season, in an exchange with Tycho Nestor (Mark Gatiss) of Iron Bank, Cersei said he needed help to strengthen his army and noted that Qyburn (Anton Lesser) had made "Openings" to this mysterious group. She even sent Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) to bring a representative to King's Landing for discussion, which he did in the first episode.
So who are the gold company?
1/7 Jon Snow
The great revelation of the penultimate season of Game of Thrones (a turning point that fan communities had seen even before the television adaptation) was the truth of Jon Snow's sonship, namely he was not the bastard son of Ned Stark, but the legitimate offspring of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. While most viewers were preoccupied with the perverse nature of this revelation juxtaposed with the image of him rolling in bed with Daenerys (now revealed to be his aunt), the fact is that he now claims the most legitimately the Iron Throne. He certainly has a better claim than his father's sister, to whom he just swore an oath (not to mention the things that would make the people of Pitcairn blush). Jon's biggest problem is that he still does not know how much his stock is in vogue, and the only two characters who know him are his friend Sam Tarly and his irritating younger brother, Bran. Can such a weak duo pbad this crucial piece of information to Jon before it's too late?
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2/7 Daenerys Targaryan
Until the end of the last series (and provided you did not read any fan theory), it seemed that Daenerys was destined to end up running the Seven Kingdoms. After all, George RR Martin's series is called A Song of Ice and Fire and, where his cold element could apply to both Jon Snow and the horde of icy zombies, it's clear for a long time that Dany brings the heat holder. She spent a frustrating time at Essos, perfecting her military and governance skills (both seemingly based on the misuse of dragon fire) and arrived at Westeros in a seemingly unstoppable quest for the crown. His claim was weakened by the discovery that his nephew Jon is the real Targaryen heir, but it is also obvious that she wears the dragon pants in their relationship.
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3/7 Cersei Lannister
Cersei is the only villain to have survived from episode 1 to the last season. She has already lost her more pragmatic siblings – Tyrion and Jaime – in favor of the anti-apocalypse cause, and her plan for the final phase seems to involve a double crossing of the alliance to deal with the zombie threat. It just can not end well, because any damage to the Targaryen will only prepare Night King's army, and he's not a man (?) Who seems to care a lot about the rating Lannisters credit. Really the Cnut of the series, she is already on borrowed time.
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4/7 Arya Stark / Sansa Stark / Bran Stark
The survival of Stark's youngest children makes you even worse for poor Rickon (why, why did not he zigzag ?!), who suffered from the indignity of never becoming a real character before to have been sent. The reality is that none of the Starks really want to take the crown and settle in King's Landing. They love the North, where you have to wear long fur coats and grumble disturbing warnings among the gentle inhabitants of the South. The best scenario for Bran is to live in a castle, not in a tree (or in the king's body at night, see the theories of the fans for more details), and for Sansa, this tutelage of the North coveted more and more. more. has his name on it. Arya is sort of a chaos agent, and it's hard to know what role she will play yet, but definitely crucial, but – and that proves me wrong, Arya – it's hard to see her arguing with the finances with the Restricted Council.
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5/7 The king of the night
Could the king of the night be the powerful leader Westeros so badly needs? It would be appropriate for a series that so willingly captured beloved characters to behead / stab them to the heart / slit their throats, to go out with the nihilistic bang of King Night, riding Viserion undead, perched on the Red Keep. . It is he who watches if the spectators decide that they want to adopt a complete metaphor.
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6/7 Dark horses
Some characters – Varys, Jorah, Theon, and Yara Greyjoy – are likely to play an important role in the culminating drama, but with no chance of ending up in the hot seat. A better bet could be Gendry, aka the hot tinsmith of Skins, who has the strongest right to claim Baratheon. Other major characters such as Brienne, Bronn, Davos and Gray Worm will knock on the door (provided they receive the screentime of this truncated series), but they are subjects and not leaders. Euron Greyjoy faces a delicate end at one point because he is totally perverse and also very poorly judged as a character. My outside bet, for connoisseurs, is Beric Dondarrion, the priest of the Lord of Light, who apparently survived the wall breach at Eastwatch and whose ability to stave off fire and come back from the dead could to be very useful against the ice zombies.
7/7 Verdict
For my part, I would like to see a ministry of all talents at King's Landing, with Arya at the helm of the Royal Guard, Yara serving in the Navy, Davos in charge of maintaining order (justice, Flea Bottom style), Bronn supervising the cash (which is better than a sold sword?), and returns as a spy-master. If Robert, Joffrey and Tommen, the kings of Baratheon, have taught us everything, it is possible to be in power, but not in power. When the ice melts, I hope that the multi-faceted characters of Game of Thrones will live up to their expectations – if they manage to survive, that's it.
House Box Office
1/7 Jon Snow
The great revelation of the penultimate season of Game of Thrones (a turning point that fan communities had seen even before the television adaptation) was the truth of Jon Snow's sonship, namely he was not the bastard son of Ned Stark, but the legitimate offspring of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan. While most viewers were preoccupied with the perverse nature of this revelation juxtaposed with the image of him rolling in bed with Daenerys (now revealed to be his aunt), the fact is that he now claims the most legitimately the Iron Throne. He certainly has a better claim than his father's sister, to whom he just swore an oath (not to mention the things that would make the people of Pitcairn blush). Jon's biggest problem is that he still does not know how much his stock is in vogue, and the only two characters who know him are his friend Sam Tarly and his irritating younger brother, Bran. Can such a weak duo pbad this crucial piece of information to Jon before it's too late?
HBO
2/7 Daenerys Targaryan
Until the end of the last series (and provided you did not read any fan theory), it seemed that Daenerys was destined to end up running the Seven Kingdoms. After all, George RR Martin's series is called A Song of Ice and Fire and, where his cold element could apply to both Jon Snow and the horde of icy zombies, it's clear for a long time that Dany brings the heat holder. She spent a frustrating time at Essos, perfecting her military and governance skills (both seemingly based on the misuse of dragon fire) and arrived at Westeros in a seemingly unstoppable quest for the crown. His claim was weakened by the discovery that his nephew Jon is the real Targaryen heir, but it is also obvious that she wears the dragon pants in their relationship.
HBO
3/7 Cersei Lannister
Cersei is the only villain to have survived from episode 1 to the last season. She has already lost her more pragmatic siblings – Tyrion and Jaime – in favor of the anti-apocalypse cause, and her plan for the final phase seems to involve a double crossing of the alliance to deal with the zombie threat. It just can not end well, because any damage to the Targaryen will only prepare Night King's army, and he's not a man (?) Who seems to care a lot about the rating Lannisters credit. Really the Cnut of the series, she is already on borrowed time.
HBO
4/7 Arya Stark / Sansa Stark / Bran Stark
The survival of Stark's youngest children makes you even worse for poor Rickon (why, why did not he zigzag ?!), who suffered from the indignity of never becoming a real character before to have been sent. The reality is that none of the Starks really want to take the crown and settle in King's Landing. They love the North, where you have to wear long fur coats and grumble disturbing warnings among the gentle inhabitants of the South. The best scenario for Bran is to live in a castle, not in a tree (or in the king's body at night, see the theories of the fans for more details), and for Sansa, this tutelage of the North coveted more and more. more. has his name on it. Arya is sort of a chaos agent, and it's hard to know what role she will play yet, but definitely crucial, but – and that proves me wrong, Arya – it's hard to see her arguing with the finances with the Restricted Council.
HBO
5/7 The king of the night
Could the king of the night be the powerful leader Westeros so badly needs? It would be appropriate for a series that so willingly captured beloved characters to behead / stab them to the heart / slit their throats, to go out with the nihilistic bang of King Night, riding Viserion undead, perched on the Red Keep. . It is he who watches if the spectators decide that they want to adopt a complete metaphor.
HBO
6/7 Dark horses
Some characters – Varys, Jorah, Theon, and Yara Greyjoy – are likely to play an important role in the culminating drama, but with no chance of ending up in the hot seat. A better bet could be Gendry, aka the hot tinsmith of Skins, who has the strongest right to claim Baratheon. Other major characters such as Brienne, Bronn, Davos and Gray Worm will knock on the door (provided they receive the screentime of this truncated series), but they are subjects and not leaders. Euron Greyjoy faces a delicate end at one point because he is totally perverse and also very poorly judged as a character. My outside bet, for connoisseurs, is Beric Dondarrion, the priest of the Lord of Light, who apparently survived the wall breach at Eastwatch and whose ability to stave off fire and come back from the dead could to be very useful against the ice zombies.
7/7 Verdict
For my part, I would like to see a ministry of all talents at King's Landing, with Arya at the helm of the Royal Guard, Yara serving in the Navy, Davos in charge of maintaining order (justice, Flea Bottom style), Bronn supervising the cash (which is better than a sold sword?), and returns as a spy-master. If Robert, Joffrey and Tommen, the kings of Baratheon, have taught us everything, it is possible to be in power, but not in power. When the ice melts, I hope that the multi-faceted characters of Game of Thrones will live up to their expectations – if they manage to survive, that's it.
House Box Office
The answer: a collection of 10,000 mercenary mercenaries based in Essos. They were mentioned as early as the fourth season, when Davos (Liam Cunningham) asked Stannis (Stephen Dillane) to engage the group, claiming that they had some of the country's most knowledgeable fighters. In addition, Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) was fighting with them.
The Golden Company could be exactly what Cersei needs to keep the iron throne – and its fleeting mention can not be a coincidence, especially if it's mentioned in George R.R. Martin's paper.
IGN points out that the group was founded by the Targaryen bastard Aegor Rivers and – consisting of exiles from across the country – includes a fairly important member: Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar and Elia Martell, who would have perished in the hands of Gregor Clegane (otherwise known as the mountain) even before the events of the book series began. In the books, he was saved by Jon Connington, a character whose screenplay (somehow) was pbaded on to Jorah in the series.
Although Aegon – who would be Jon Sno's half-brother (Kit Harington) – is not expected to be presented with only five episodes to play, it's a safe bet that the group will cause him to huge problems, as well as Daenerys. Night King is away.
1/70 70. Rickon Stark
Undoubtedly the most annoying Stark kid – an impressive feat next to Bran – Rickon's at least seen giving a damn scene of death: carried off by an arrow gracefully provided by Ramsay Bolton.
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2/70 69. Robin Arryn
Most Thrones fans remember Robin Arryn as the 10-year-old bad-fed (still strange) mother. That's about it.
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3/70 68. Renly Baratheon
The Rickon of the Baratheon brothers. His claim to the iron throne was tenuous, considering that his older brother, Stannis, was still alive. When the monster from Stannis' shadow came to kill him, it was only good news for the series.
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4/70 67. sheet
Leaf, one of the mythical Children of the Forest series, is perhaps mysterious, but his noble sacrifice to save Bran, Meera and Hodor from a horde of warriors robbed him of any value.
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5/70 66. Tommen Baratheon
Another boring younger brother. While Joffrey was pure evil, Tommen was innocent and inevitably very boring. Her cat, Ser Pounce, was an badet to the show.
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6/70 65. Lysa Arryn
Lysa, Catelyn Stark's frightening sister, was seen for the first time with Robin Arryn, her 10-year-old son, tied to his chest. His death – being pushed through the moon gate – could not have happened sooner.
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7/70 64. Benjen Stark
Having disappeared in the first season, Benjen returned in the sixth season to save his nephew, Bran. The moment was a surprise for viewers – book readers, however, had long speculated that Coldhands was an undead version of the Stark.
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8/70 63. Syrio Forel
The unhappy appearance of Syrio in season 1 was a formative experience for an Arya Stark (Maisie Williams); It's him who helped her become the avenging murderer that fans know and love today.
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9/70 62. Jeor Mormont
Jorah Mormont's father, Jeor was an honorable leader of Night Watch – perhaps through a fault. After giving Long Snow's sword to Jon Snow, Mormont inadvertently showed the Stark bastard that Valerian's steel could cut through the White Walkers.
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10/70 61. Roose Bolton
Let's be honest: it's hard to like a character like Roose Bolton, the man who orchestrated the violent Red Wedding – the most infamous scene of the six-year history of the series that saw the death of Robb, Catelyn and Talisa.
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11/70 60. Ellaria Sand
Ellaria Sand may have been a more seductive creation on the page, but in the series, her on-screen time unfortunately returns to react when loved ones are killed in a more and more horrible way.
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12/70 59. Grand Maester Pycell
Pycell had secretly seen many things in his day, but there is an element of "unsatisfied potential" in Glover's character whose late betrayal of Cersei Lannister put a scary end to his luxury life at King's. Landing.
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13/70 58. three-eyed raven
Perhaps it was Max von Sydow's cast that reinforced the anticipation for the three-eyed crow of the series, but the story without conviction leaves much to be desired.
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14/70 57. Gilly
Gilly's long journey from Craster's Donjon to Winterfell seems exciting on paper. But, unfortunately, she was a pbadenger for too long in Sam's trip.
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15/70 56. Daario Naharis
The man who won the heart of Daenerys Targaryen, only to be left behind at Essos. Ed Skrein played the character originally, but was soon replaced after the actor got a role in Deadpool.
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16/70 55. Shae
Oh Shea. His unfortunate betrayal – sleeping with Tywin (Charles Dance) – was a slap in the face not only for his lover Tyrion, but also for the viewer.
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17/70 54. gray worm
Chief of Usulliés, the Gray Worm remains unshakable – except around Missandei. Although their romance can be comforting, it is difficult to invest in two characters also in wood.
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18/70 53. Talisa Maegyr
To be fair to Robb Stark's wife, Talisa, if she had avoided being murdered in the most horrific way during the red wedding, she would have probably been higher on this list. Alas.
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19/70 52. Shireen Baratheon
All that Shireen, who was suffering from greyness, had always wanted to read, was to read stories in her room, but because of her tireless father, Stannis, she was tragically reduced to ashes after being sacrificed to the Lord of the Light.
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20/70 51. Viserys Targaryen
Viserys wanted at all costs the iron throne, giving his own sister in exchange for an army. Dany, however, had other projects. Her new husband, Khal Drogo, covering Viserys from melted gold was one of the most memorable death scenes in the series.
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21/70 50. Maester Luwin
The kind Maester Luwin was one of the friendliest characters of the first seasons, becoming a substitute father for Bran and Rickon, while the Starks endured horrors elsewhere. He was finally killed when Ramsay Bolton took over Winterfell.
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22/70 49. Thoros of Myr
Thoros spent most of his time on the resurrecting Beric show and was recently seen brandishing his flaming sword alongside Jon Snow behind the wall.
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23/70 48. Mance Rayder
Ciaran Hinds brought an intensity to Mance Rayder, a character who would otherwise be lost in the crowd. As a result, his death at the hands of Mélisandre was unexpected.
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24/70 47. Podrick Payne
True to his habits, Podrick Payne has become a fan favorite for his amazing courage in the face of adversity. He and Brienne de Tarth form an excellent duo.
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25/70 46. Euron Greyjoy
While Euron Greyjoy only joined the show in the sixth season, his presence was immediately felt. A generic character, Greyjoy's selfish and greedy nature of power has been fascinating to watch.
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26/70 45. Jaqen H & # 39; ghar
Jaqen H & # 39; ghar – a faceless men of Braavos – had such a promise, but ended up being the one who had rang Arya's story of the energy she had had previously, alongside The Hound (Rory McCann).
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27/70 34. Missandei
Missandei has somehow succeeded in gaining strength in the new world order by being Dany's advisor. However, her nature on stilts can make some encounters difficult, but at least she and Gray Worm are happy together.
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28/70 43. Ygritte
Ygritte – Wild Snowling lover Jon Snow – will be part of the legend of Thrones for providing the series with the famous phrase often quoted: "You do not know anything, Jon Snow." Spoken with a northern accent, of course.
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29/70 42. Hot Pie
Has an actor ever been more suited to a role? After all, Ben Hawkey then ran his own bakery, selling even Thrones-themed products.
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30/70 41. Walder Frey
One of the orchestrators of the red wedding, Walder Frey was a rowdy and terrifying villain. When Arya unmasks and kills the old man, it's a sweet and gentle moment of revenge.
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31/70 40. Bran Stark
That says a lot about the fact that Bran Stark has become slightly more interesting since he's sacrificed his personality to become the spiritualistic heart of the series. His role in the last season should be huge, with the long-standing theory that he could become the dreaded Night King.
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32/70 39. Gendry
The true heir to the iron throne. Gendry may have spent a few seasons paddling at sea, but his return suggests great things to come for the Baratheon bastard.
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33/70 38. Yara Greyjoy
Lily Allen was initially sought after for the role of Theon's sister. However, she refused: "I felt uncomfortable because I should have gone on horseback and that he would have touched me and screwed me up. Whereas Allen's brother, Alfie, had already been chosen for Theon, it was probably for the better.
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34/70 37. Robert Baratheon
Mark Addy brought some gravitas to Robert Baratheon, making him a terribly tired king. Although having only a few scenes, the presence of his character is still felt in the series thanks to Gendry.
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35/70 36. Barristan Selmy
After being fired by the Lannisters, Selmy took an oath of allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), bridging the gap between two of the main characters in the series. He was also a good warrior.
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36/70 35. Margaery Tyrell
Margaery Tyrell was one of the greatest players in Game of Thrones. She started in the Lannister family's politics and became queen for a spell. Her number was at the moment when she had made herself the enemy of Cersei, and her death by fire, though disappointing, was a huge moment.
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37/70 34. Osha
Underutilized Osha was our very first savage, an unpredictable danger that threatened a knife for the characters we loved. Her subsequent evolution into Stark maid was very interesting, which meant she was sidelined for several seasons, before being brought back just to be offended unceremoniously, a travesty.
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38/70 33. Samwell Tarly
According to one theory, Samwell Tarly, who trains as a maester, is actually the author of the song Song of Ice and Fire – AKA, the book series. In other words, Sam is George RR Martin. Go understand.
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39/70 32. the mountain
Clegane's big brother known as The Mountain – who is now a zombie servant of Cersei – may not have met many characters in the series, but his presence is known to everyone in Westeros. His greatest moment? Hit the head of poor Oberyn in a porridge.
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40/70 31. Ramsay Bolton
Ramsey cut Theon's penis and sent it to Greyjoy's father. He imprisoned and raped Sansa Stark. He killed Rickon Stark in front of his brother. And Ramsay finally died while feeding his own dogs. A terrifying death for a terrible human.
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41/70 30. king of the night
The incarnation of evil. Why, exactly, the king of the night is heading south to destroy humanity, remains a mystery. But, whatever the reason, he is a terrifying enemy. As the Starks say, the winter is finally here.
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42/70 29. Beric Dondarrion
Beric danced on the periphery of the series until his third season, when he appeared as the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. His introduction paved the way for the Lord of Light's ability to resurrect the dead, a mystical subcompact that was to become very important for Jon Snow.
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43/70 28. Theon Greyjoy
While Theon begins as an arrogant child, having been sterilized by Ramsay, he becomes the boring Reek. Fortunately, Theon returns in the last seasons, but not without we still hated his courage for not saving Sansa earlier.
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44/70 27. Khal Drogo
For the whole world, he is now Aquaman, but for a brief moment, Jason Momoa was Khal Drogo, the beloved husband of Dothraki, his Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
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45/70 26. The great sparrow
Although apparently a wise old man, the High Sparrow quickly becomes a nasty tactical, utilizing his newly acquired powers under King Tommen to turn King's Landing into his own domain.
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46/70 25. Jon Snow
Each show needs a hero, and they are not more obvious than Jon Snow. From bastard abandoned to King of the North, his rise was one of the best scenarios in the series. It is unfortunate that Snow can be such a bland person, doing only what is right and apparently having no blemish.
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47/70 24. Stannis Baratheon
With his propensity to make difficult decisions for the greater good, Stannis could have been a heroic warrior. However, the continual fall of Brother Baratheon – including the sacrifice of his own daughter and the badbadination of his own brother – was a terrible decision that ultimately sentenced him.
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48/70 23. Hodor
Once you understand that Kristian Nairn was essentially paid to repeat the word "Hodor" many times, it is hard to deny that the protector of Bran Stark was a comforting addition to the series. His death – the breathtaking sequence "Hold the Door" – will remain as one of the most memorable moments of the series.
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49/70 22. Melisandre
Let 's not forget that Melisandre is actually an old shriveled witch who has been manipulating men for hundreds of years. His faith in the Lord of the Light could, however, be misplaced.
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50/70 21. Tywin Lannister
Stannis was a horrible father. His two favorite children became incestuous lovers and he blamed his younger brother for the death of his wife. Without Tywin, however, the Lannister family would not be as fascinating as it is to watch.
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51/70 20. Arya Stark
Arya Stark, arguably the greatest character of the early seasons, was one of the biggest victims in the series, surpbading the sources of George RR Martin. Its short time in front of the screen, because of its remoteness from the central action, robbed us of clbadic moments, which we are sure will be at the heart of the eighth and final season.
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52/70 19. Tormund Giantsbane
Tormund has some of the best lines in the series, especially when he expresses his admiration for Brienne. Voici l'une des moins explicites: "Je veux faire des bébés avec elle. Pensez-y. De grands monstres. Ils conquerront le monde!"
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53/70 18. Oberyn
Peu de spectacles peuvent amener des personnages à mi-parcours qui ont un impact aussi important que Oberyn. La Viper est rapidement devenue la favorite des fans et sa mort reste l’un des moments les plus douloureux de la série.
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54/70 17. Olenna Tyrell
Les scènes d'Olenna étaient toujours à chérir. La reine des épines était aussi sournoise que les meilleures et semblait pouvoir se sortir de n'importe quelle situation, le tout confortablement installé dans son propre fauteuil.
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55/70 16. Jorah Mormont
Pauvre Ser Jorah. Dany a peut-être 25 ans de moins que lui, mais cela n'a jamais empêché le guerrier déshonoré de l'aimer. Il a même combattu Gray Scale pour se battre à ses côtés. Si ce n'est pas le vrai amour, alors qu'est-ce que c'est?
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56/70 15. Davos Seaworth
La performance de Liam Cunningham en tant que courageux Davos Seaworth a été l'une des meilleures choses à propos de la série depuis son introduction. En tant que conseiller royal de Jon Snow, il s'est récemment vu plonger au cœur de la série et, tout simplement, Game of Thrones serait un spectacle moins agréable sans lui.
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57/70 14. Eddard "Ned" Stark
Tuer un personnage principal lors de la première saison d'un spectacle était pratiquement inconnu avant Game of Thrones. Pourtant, comme le dictaient les livres de George RR Martin, ils coupèrent la tête de Sean Bean sans hésiter, donnant le ton à tout ce qui allait arriver. Aucune mort n'a autant touché les Trônes depuis.
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58/70 13. Daenerys Targaryen
"Daenerys Stormborn de la Maison Targaryen, première de son nom, la non brûlée, reine des Andals et les premiers hommes, Khaleesi de la grande mer d'herbe, briseur de chaînes et mère de dragons." Chaque fois que Dany rencontre une nouvelle personne, elle force Missandei à lire son CV en entier. Je suppose que tout le monde le ferait si le leur était aussi impressionnant. Dany a vraiment eu un bon voyage au sommet – dommage qu'elle n'ait pas pu venir à Westeros un peu plus tôt.
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59/70 12. Varie
Au début de la série, il était difficile de cerner Varys, une anguille glissante d'un personnage dont les "petits oiseaux" voltigent autour de Westeros et qui fournissent des informations cruciales. À l'aube de la dernière saison, ses véritables intentions sont claires: il est favorable à ce que Daenerys prenne le Trône de Fer, même s'il ne vit pas pour voir le jour («Je dois mourir dans cet étrange pays, tout comme vous», a prophétisé Melisandre. la saison dernière).
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60/70 11. Bronn
Peut-être le meilleur side-kick de la série, Bronn n'a qu'une loyauté: l'argent. Jumelé à l'un des garçons de Lannister, Tyrion ou Jaime, Bronn est une excellente compagnie.
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61/70 10. Robb Stark
Avant de garde du corps, Richard Madden était le roi extrêmement temporaire de Westeros. Robb était un homme d'honneur qui tentait d'éclairer l'univers de Trônes. C'était une présence sympathique qui régnait avec son cœur, un acte qui l'a finalement vu mourir lors du tristement célèbre mariage rouge de la saison trois.
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62/70 9. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
Il n'y aurait pas de Game of Thrones sans Littlefinger. Le manipulateur à la langue argentée a fait tuer Jon Arryn, déclenchant une boule de neige qui s'est transformée en avalanche. Aussi intelligent qu'il puisse être, Littlefinger a finalement été dominé par son propre élève, Sansa Stark.
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63/70 8. Brienne de Tarth
Brienne est une force rbadurante du bien dans un monde rempli de fainéants. She's also one of the most deadly. Her time on the series has been spent protecting the likes of Renly Baratheon, Catelyn Stark and Jaime Lannister, the latter of which made for an interesting turn as it put her at odds with her loyalty.
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64/70 7. Sansa Stark
Sansa has perhaps had the most interesting story arc of any character on Thrones. Beginning as a clichéd annoying teenager, she gradually became a stone-cold killer, capable of holding Winterfell and outsmarting even Littlefinger. With any luck, she could sit upon the Iron Throne when the war is over.
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65/70 6. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
From his regular delivery of the phrase"F** the king" to this chicken scene, The Hound is a reckless creation whose high ranking on this list can be attributed to the searing performance from Rory McCann. Most effective when paired with Arya Stark.
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66/70 5. Joffrey Baratheon
No character has been as hated by the fandom as Joffrey. His wicked ways and disgusting behaviour haunted the show's first four seasons. You never knew what was going to come next: whether he was about to behead your favourite character or start crying to his mother. It made for thrilling television. But, as The Hound says, "F**k the King".
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67/70 4. Catelyn Stark
The lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Stark, became the show's honorary lead after the untimely beheading of her husband, Ned (Sean Bean) at the end of season one. As she tried to take control of spiralling events in the second and third run, Thrones was handed its most resilient character. Michelle Fairley's guttural cry of anguish before meeting her tragic end during the Red Wedding will always be the show's most horrific moment.
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68/70 3. Jaime Lannister
If the characters above Jaime in this list are the show's greatest characters, Jaime is the show's most disarming. The Lannister brother − the Kingslayer − started the series as a long-haired bad guy of the tallest order, but his humbling over the past few seasons have seen him inch his way into the hearts of viewers.
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69/70 2. Tyrion Lannister
Blamed for the death of his mother and hated for being a dwarf, Tyrion turned to drink and prostitutes to numb the pain. However, Tyrion has a fierce intellect, capable of outsmarting the toughest enemies (and offering cutting lines that George RR Martin says often take weeks to write). More importantly, despite being betrayed and cast away time and time again, Tyrion selflessly only wants the best for the people of Westeros. A true hero.
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70/70 1. Cersei Lannister
The Mad Queen, alone on the Iron Throne. Cersei has, over the course of seven seasons, seen her three children die, driven her lover/brother away, blown up a church with a half dozen major characters inside, arranged the death of her husband (King Robert) and attempted to have her other brother (Tyrion) killed multiple times. Yet, thanks to Lena Headey's empathetic performance, you still feel sorry for the terrifying Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As one of the most complicated character to have ever reached television screens, there's no denying her place as the best Thrones character to date.
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1/70 70. Rickon Stark
Easily the most annoying Stark child − an impressive feat next to Bran − Rickon was at least handed one hell of a death scene: taken out by an arrow courtesy of Ramsay Bolton.
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2/70 69. Robin Arryn
Robin Arryn is remembered by most Thrones fans as being the 10-year-old badfed by his mother (still weird). That's about it.
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3/70 68. Renly Baratheon
The Rickon of the Baratheon brothers. His claim to the Iron Throne was tenuous, considering his older brother, Stannis, was still alive. When Stannis's shadow monster came to kill him, it was only good news for the show.
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4/70 67. Leaf
A lot of mystery may surround Leaf, one of the show's mythical Children of the Forest, but her noble sacrifice to save Bran, Meera and Hodor from a horde of wights robbed her of any worth.
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5/70 66. Tommen Baratheon
Another boring younger brother. Whereas Joffrey was pure evil, Tommen was innocent and, inevitably, very boring. His cat, Ser Pounce, was an badet to the show.
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6/70 65. Lysa Arryn
Lysa, the creepy sister to Catelyn Stark, was first seen with Robin Arryn, her 10-year-old son, latched to her bad. Her death − being pushed through the Moon Door − couldn't have come sooner.
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7/70 64. Benjen Stark
Having gone missing in season one, Benjen returned during season six to save his nephew, Bran. The moment was a surprise to TV watchers − book readers, however, had long speculated that Coldhands was an undead version of the Stark.
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8/70 63. Syrio Forel
The ill-fated Syrio's appearance way back in season one was a formative experience for one Arya Stark (Maisie Williams); he's the one who helped her on her way to becoming the vengeful badbadin fans know and love today.
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9/70 62. Jeor Mormont
Father of Jorah Mormont, Jeor was an honourable leader of the Night's Watch − perhaps to a fault. After giving Jon Snow the sword Longclaw, Mormont inadvertently showed the Stark bastard that Valerian steel can cut through White Walkers.
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10/70 61. Roose Bolton
Let's be honest: it's hard to really like as scheming a character as Roose Bolton, the man who orchestrated the violent Red Wedding − the most infamous scene in the show's six-year history that saw the death of Robb, Catelyn and Talisa.
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11/70 60. Ellaria Sand
Ellaria Sand may have been a more enticing creation on the page, but in the series, her screen time regrettably amounts to reacting to loved ones being killed off in increasingly awful ways.
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12/70 59. Grand Maester Pycell
The secretly sprightly Pycell had seen a lot of things in his time, but there's an element of "unfulfilled potential" surrounding Glover's character whose late betrayal of Cersei Lannister saw a grisly end to his life of luxury at King's Landing.
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13/70 58. Three-Eyed Raven
Perhaps it was the casting of Max von Sydow that heightened anticipation for the Three-Eyed Raven in the series, but the half-hearted story arc left a lot to be desired.
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14/70 57. Gilly
Gilly's long journey from Craster's Keep to Winterfell sounds exciting on paper. But, unfortunately, she has been merely a pbadenger on Sam's journey for far too long.
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15/70 56. Daario Naharis
The man who won the heart of Daenerys Targaryen, only to be left behind in Essos. Ed Skrein originally played the character, but was soon replaced after the actor landed a role in Deadpool.
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16/70 55. Shae
Oh Shea. Her ill-fated betrayal − sleeping with Tywin (Charles Dance) − was a slap in the face not just for lover Tyrion, but the viewer also.
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17/70 54. Grey Worm
Leader of the Usullied, Grey Worm remains unmoved at all times − unless around Missandei. While their romance can be heartwarming, it's hard to invest in two characters who are so wooden.
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18/70 53. Talisa Maegyr
To be fair to Robb Stark's wife Talisa, should she have avoided being murdered in arguably the most horrific way during the Red Wedding, she would most likely have been higher on this list. Alas.
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19/70 52. Shireen Baratheon
All the Greyscale-suffering Shireen ever wanted to do was read stories in her chamber, but due to her impressionable power-hungry father, Stannis, she was tragically reduced to ashes after being sacrificed to the Lord of Light.
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20/70 51. Viserys Targaryen
Viserys wanted the Iron Throne at any cost, giving away his own sister in exchange for an army. Dany, though, had other plans. Her new husband, Khal Drogo, covering Viserys in molten gold made for one of the show's most memorable death scenes.
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21/70 50. Maester Luwin
The kindly Maester Luwin was one of the nicest characters in the first few seasons, becoming a stand-in father for Bran and Rickon while the Starks endured horrors elsewhere. He was eventually killed when Ramsay Bolton took over Winterfell.
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22/70 49. Thoros of Myr
Thoros spent the majority of his time on the show resurrecting Beric and was most recently seen wielding his flaming sword alongside Jon Snow beyond the wall.
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23/70 48. Mance Rayder
Ciaran Hinds brought an intensity to Mance Rayder, a character who would otherwise have got lost in the crowd. As a result, his death at the hands of Melisandre was unexpectedly affecting.
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24/70 47. Podrick Payne
Ever loyal, Podrick Payne has become a fan favourite for being surprisingly brave in the face of adversity. He and Brienne of Tarth make an excellent duo.
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25/70 46. Euron Greyjoy
While Euron Greyjoy may have only joined the show in season six, his presence was immediately felt. A wildcard character, Greyjoy's cut-throat, power-hungry nature has proven exciting to watch.
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26/70 45. Jaqen H'ghar
Jaqen H'ghar − one of the Faceless Men of Braavos − had such promise, but ultimately ended up being the one responsible for sapping Arya's story of the energy she'd had seasons before, alongside The Hound (Rory McCann).
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27/70 34. Missandei
Missandei has somehow managed to come up trumps within the new world order, being an advisor to Dany. However, her stilted nature can make for some awkward encounters − but at least she and Grey Worm are happy together.
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28/70 43. Ygritte
Ygritte − the Wildling lover of Jon Snow − will go down in Thrones lore for providing the series the with oft-quoted famous line: "You know nothing, Jon Snow." Spoken with a northern accent, obviously.
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29/70 42. Hot Pie
Has an actor ever been more suited to a role? Ben Hawkey, after all, has gone on to run a bakery of his own, even selling Thrones-themed goods.
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30/70 41. Walder Frey
One of the orchestrators of the Red Wedding, Walder Frey was a lurching, terrifying villain. When Arya unmasks herself and kills the old man, it's a sweet, sweet moment of revenge.
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31/70 40. Bran Stark
It says a lot that Bran Stark has become marginally more interesting since he sacrificed his personality in favour of becoming the spiritualistic heart of the series. His role in the final season looks set to be a huge one what with the long-standing theory that he could become the fearsome Night King.
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32/70 39. Gendry
The true heir to the Iron Throne. Gendry may have spent a few seasons rowing out at sea, but his return hints at big things to come for the Baratheon bastard.
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33/70 38. Yara Greyjoy
Lily Allen was initially wanted for the role of Theon's sister. However, she declined: 'I felt uncomfortable because I would have had to go on a horse and he would have touched me up and s***.' Seeing as Allen's brother, Alfie, had already been cast as Theon, it was probably for the best.
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34/70 37. Robert Baratheon
Mark Addy brought a certain gravitas to Robert Baratheon, making him a believably world-weary king. Despite only having a few scenes, his character's presence is still felt on the show thanks to Gendry.
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35/70 36. Barristan Selmy
After being fired by the Lannisters, Selmy pledged allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), bridging the gap between two of the show's key characters. He was also a bloody good warrior.
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36/70 35. Margaery Tyrell
Margaery Tyrell was one of Game of Thrones's biggest players, wheedling her way into the Lannister family politics and actually becoming Queen for a spell. Her number was up the moment she made an enemy of Cersei, and her fiery death, while underwhelming, was a huge moment.
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37/70 34. Osha
The underused Osha was our very first wildling, an unpredictable knife-wielding danger to the characters we loved. Her subsequent evolution into Stark servant was interestingly played, which made the fact she was sidelined for multiple seasons, before being brought back just to be unceremoniously offed, a travesty.
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38/70 33. Samwell Tarly
There's a theory going around that Samwell Tarly, who trains as a maester, is actually the author of the Song of Ice and Fire − AKA the book series. In other words, Sam is George RR Martin. Go figure.
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39/70 32. The Mountain
The hulking Clegane brother known as The Mountain − now a zombie-esque servant to Cersei − may not have come face-to-face with lots of characters in the series, but his presence is known by all in Westeros. His biggest moment? Battering poor Oberyn's head into mush.
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40/70 31. Ramsay Bolton
Ramsey cut off Theon's penis and sent it to the Greyjoy's father. He imprisoned and raped Sansa Stark. He killed Rickon Stark in front of his brother. And Ramsay eventually died by being fed to his own dogs. A terrifying death for a terrible human.
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41/70 30. Night King
The embodiment of evil. Why, exactly, the Night King marches South to destroy mankind remains somewhat a mystery. But, whatever the reason, he's a terrifying foe. Winter has, as the Starks say, finally come.
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42/70 29. Beric Dondarrion
Beric danced on the outskirts of the series until its third season when he surfaced as the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. His introduction paved the way for the Lord of Light's ability to resurrect the dead, a mystical sub-plot that would become very important for Jon Snow.
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43/70 28. Theon Greyjoy
While Theon starts as a bady kid, after being neutered by Ramsay he becomes the annoyingly weak Reek. Thankfully, Theon comes back around again in the later seasons, but not without us still hating his guts for not saving Sansa sooner.
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44/70 27. Khal Drogo
To the world he's now Aquaman, but for a brief time, Jason Momoa was Khal Drogo, the beloved Dothraki husband of his Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
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45/70 26. The High Sparrow
While at first a seemingly wise old man, the High Sparrow quickly becomes a tactical villain, using his newfound powers under King Tommen to turn King's Landing into his own domain.
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46/70 25. Jon Snow
Every show needs a hero, and they do not come more obvious than Jon Snow. Rising from discarded bastard to King of the North, his climb has been one of the show's best storylines. A shame, then, that Snow can be such a bland person, doing only what is right and seemingly having no faults.
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47/70 24. Stannis Baratheon
With his propensity to make tough decisions for the greater good, Stannis could have been a heroic warrior. However, the Baratheon brother's continual fall from grace − including sacrificing his own daughter and murdering his own brother − were horrendous decisions that eventually doomed him.
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48/70 23. Hodor
Once you get over the fact that Kristian Nairn was essentially getting paid to repeat the word "Hodor" over and over, it's hard to deny that Bran Stark's protector was a heartwarming addition to the show. His death − the breathtaking "Hold the Door" sequence − will go down as one of the show's most memorable moments.
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49/70 22. Melisandre
Lest we forget that Melisandre is actually a shrivelled old witch who has been manipulating men for hundreds of years. Her faith in the Lord of Light, though, could very well be misplaced.
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50/70 21. Tywin Lannister
Stannis was a horrible father. His two favourite children became incestuous lovers, and he blamed his youngest for the death of his wife. Without Tywin, though, the Lannister family would not be nearly as riveting as they are to watch.
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51/70 20. Arya Stark
Arya Stark, arguably the greatest character of the first few seasons, was one of the biggest victims of the series overtaking George RR Martin's source material. Her limited screen time, due to being away from the central action, robbed us of clbadic moments, of which we're sure she'll be at the heart in the eighth and final season.
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52/70 19. Tormund Giantsbane
Tormund has some of the best lines in the series, particularly when expressing his admiration for Brienne. Here's one of the least explicit: "I want to make babies with her. Think of it. Great big monsters. They'll conquer the world!"
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53/70 18. Oberyn
Few shows can bring in characters midway through their run that have such an impact as Oberyn. The Viper quickly became a fan favourite, and his death remains one of the show's most squirm-inducing moments.
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54/70 17. Olenna Tyrell
Olenna's scenes were always ones to cherish. The Queen of Thorns was as cunning as the best of them and seemed like she could worm her way out of any situation, all from the comfort of her own chair.
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55/70 16. Jorah Mormont
Poor Ser Jorah. Dany may be 25 years younger than him, but that never stopped the disgraced warrior from loving her. He even fought off Grey Scale to fight by her side. If that's not true love, then what is?
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56/70 15. Davos Seaworth
Liam Cunningham's performance as the curt Davos Seaworth has quietly been one of the best things about the series since his introduction. As Jon Snow's kingly advisor, he's recently seen himself thrust into the heart of the series and, simply put, Game of Thrones would be a less enjoyable show without him.
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57/70 14. Eddard "Ned" Stark
Killing off a main character during a show's first season was practically unheard of before Game of Thrones. Yet, as dictated by George RR Martin's books, they cut off Sean Bean's head without a second thought, setting the tone for everything to come. No death has impacted the Thrones quite as much since.
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58/70 13. Daenerys Targaryen
"Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grbad Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons." Every time Dany meets someone new, she forces Missandei to read out her entire CV. I guess everyone would if theirs was as impressive. Dany really has had a great journey to the top − a shame she could not have come to Westeros slightly earlier.
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59/70 12. Varys
Early on in the series, it was hard to pin down Varys, a slippery eel of a character who has "little birds" fluttering around Westeros, feeding back crucial information. Going into the final season, his true intentions are clear: he's all for Daenerys taking the Iron Throne, even if he doesn't live to see the day (“I have to die in this strange country, just like you," Melisandre prophesied last season).
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60/70 11. Bronn
Perhaps the show's best wise-cracking side-kick, Bronn only has one loyalty: money. Paired with either of the Lannister lads, Tyrion or Jaime, Bronn makes for excellent company.
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61/70 10. Robb Stark
Before Bodyguard, Richard Madden was the extremely temporary king of Westeros. Robb was a man of honour, trying to bring light to the Thrones universe. He was a likeable presence who ruled with his heart, an act that ultimately saw him die during the infamous Red Wedding in season three.
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62/70 9. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
There would be no Game of Thrones without Littlefinger. The silver-tongued manipulator had Jon Arryn killed, setting off a snowball that turned into an avalanche. As smart as he may have been, Littlefinger was finally outplayed by his own pupil, Sansa Stark.
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63/70 8. Brienne of Tarth
Brienne is a rebaduring force of good in a world filled with scheming layabouts. She's also one of the most deadly. Her time on the series has been spent protecting the likes of Renly Baratheon, Catelyn Stark and Jaime Lannister, the latter of which made for an interesting turn as it put her at odds with her loyalty.
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64/70 7. Sansa Stark
Sansa has perhaps had the most interesting story arc of any character on Thrones. Beginning as a clichéd annoying teenager, she gradually became a stone-cold killer, capable of holding Winterfell and outsmarting even Littlefinger. With any luck, she could sit upon the Iron Throne when the war is over.
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65/70 6. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane
From his regular delivery of the phrase"F** the king" to this chicken scene, The Hound is a reckless creation whose high ranking on this list can be attributed to the searing performance from Rory McCann. Most effective when paired with Arya Stark.
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66/70 5. Joffrey Baratheon
No character has been as hated by the fandom as Joffrey. His wicked ways and disgusting behaviour haunted the show's first four seasons. You never knew what was going to come next: whether he was about to behead your favourite character or start crying to his mother. It made for thrilling television. But, as The Hound says, "F**k the King".
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67/70 4. Catelyn Stark
The lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Stark, became the show's honorary lead after the untimely beheading of her husband, Ned (Sean Bean) at the end of season one. As she tried to take control of spiralling events in the second and third run, Thrones was handed its most resilient character. Michelle Fairley's guttural cry of anguish before meeting her tragic end during the Red Wedding will always be the show's most horrific moment.
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68/70 3. Jaime Lannister
If the characters above Jaime in this list are the show's greatest characters, Jaime is the show's most disarming. The Lannister brother − the Kingslayer − started the series as a long-haired bad guy of the tallest order, but his humbling over the past few seasons have seen him inch his way into the hearts of viewers.
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69/70 2. Tyrion Lannister
Blamed for the death of his mother and hated for being a dwarf, Tyrion turned to drink and prostitutes to numb the pain. However, Tyrion has a fierce intellect, capable of outsmarting the toughest enemies (and offering cutting lines that George RR Martin says often take weeks to write). More importantly, despite being betrayed and cast away time and time again, Tyrion selflessly only wants the best for the people of Westeros. A true hero.
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70/70 1. Cersei Lannister
The Mad Queen, alone on the Iron Throne. Cersei has, over the course of seven seasons, seen her three children die, driven her lover/brother away, blown up a church with a half dozen major characters inside, arranged the death of her husband (King Robert) and attempted to have her other brother (Tyrion) killed multiple times. Yet, thanks to Lena Headey's empathetic performance, you still feel sorry for the terrifying Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As one of the most complicated character to have ever reached television screens, there's no denying her place as the best Thrones character to date.
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Still, considering the majority of Aegon’s storyline has been handed to Jorah suggests he could have somehow intercepted Qyburn’s meet with The Golden Company, potentially luring them away from Lannisters towards Targaryen rule in the process.
A few months back, HBO released a bunch of one-sheets featuring all the major players going into the final season, but the one featuring Jon Snow (Kit Harington) has generated a theory surrounding the character’s fate.
The last season of Game of thrones continues every Sunday. You can watch the updated new opening title sequence hereyyyy.
You can find our extensive ranking of every episode – from the worst to best – below.
1/67 Season seven, episode five: Eastwatch
There has to be a loser. ‘Eastwatch’ throws away one of the most important pieces of information in the whole show, Jon’s true parentage, as well as lots of good reunions. It’s the clearest example of how rushed the show has become in recent years, as its unpredictability gives way to conventional plot.
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2/67 Season four, episode three: Breaker of Chains
Jaime appears to rape Cersei next to Joffrey’s corpse. The scene is confused, unpleasant and different from the books in confusing and unhelpful ways.
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3/67 Season five, episode six: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
The Sand Snakes are just unbearably naff and this is one of their worst.
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4/67 Season 4, episode 4: Oathkeeper
At Craster’s Keep, much rape and murder of children. Unpleasant.
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5/67 Season one, episode two: The Kingsroad
The opposite of the rushed plot of the later seasons, this is basically a leisurely chat up the M1.
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6/67 Season two, episode eight: Prince of Winterfell
There is some good stuff with Arya and Jaqen H’ghar, but it’s mainly placeholder as they set up the Battle of Blackwater.
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7/67 Season three, episode 10: Mysha
Jon Snow and Ygritte’s goodbye at the climax of season three ought to have been much sadder.
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8/67 Season five, episode two: The House of Black and White
Lots of setting up. Jaime and Bronn plan to go to Dorne, Arya arrives in Braavos.
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9/67 Season seven, episode six: Beyond the Wall
This ought to have been one of the great battles: ice zombies plus dragons plus Jon Snow’s expedition. It looked spectacular, but everyone worried about teleporting ravens and speed of sound dragons.
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10/67 Season six, episode eight: No One
Some absolutely horrible banter between Grey Worm and Missandei.
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11/67 Season two, episode seven: A Man Without Honour
Pyat Pree kills the 13 in Qarth. Tywin talks to Arya about legacy.
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12/67 Season six, episode one: The Red Woman
Melisandre is a very, very old woman.
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13/67 Season two, episode two: The Night Lands
Lots of Tyrion talking in King’s Landing but not much else.
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14/67 Season six, episode seven: The Broken Man
The Hound meets Ian McShane. That’s about it in an episode full of preparations.
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15/67 Season three, episode one: Valar Dohaeris
A clbadic season opener that flits from place to place.
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16/67 Season two, episode four: Garden of Bones
Lots of grimness. Rat and bucket torture at Harrenhal. Robb Stark meets Talisa. Joffrey is cruel to Ros and Daisy.
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17/67 Season five, episode one: The Wars to Come
Mance Rayder refuses to bend the knee, is burned at the stake by Stannis before Jon shoots him with an arrow. A pretty good death actually.
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18/67 Season five, episode five: Kill the Boy
Season five is perhaps the weakest, and this is one of the weakest episodes in it, despite some good Bolton action and the Stone Men’s fateful attack on Tyrion and Jorah Mormont as they sailed through Valyria.
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19/67 Season two, episode one: The North Remembers
In the season two opener we meet Stannis at Dragonstone, and then Joffrey orders a tremendous infanticide. It was vaguely controversial at the time. Feels like a lifetime ago. ‘Power is power,’ Cersei tells Littlefinger, which was good.
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20/67 Season six, episode three: Oathbreaker
Jon Snow coming back to life really shouldn’t have felt flat. Yet it did.
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21/67 Season one, episode three: Lord Snow
Understandable given that it had to build an entire medieval universe, but 12 major characters are introduced here. That’s too many major characters.
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22/67 Season six, epsidoe four: Book of the Stranger
Jon and Sansa reunite, which is cool, Daenerys burns some more enemies, which is hot, good High Sparrow monologue to Margaery.
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23/67 Season three, episode six: The Climb
Theme of climbing. Thormund makes his way up the Wall; Littlefinger gives his most famous monologue, as he explains to Varys that chaos is ‘a ladder’.
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24/67 Season five, episode two: Sons of the Harpy
Mid-season doldrums, particularly acute in five, as Jaime and Bronn arrive in Dorne.
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25/67 Season five, episode seven: The Gift
The same, basically, except for Tyrion meeting Daenerys. Everyone gives each other presents.
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26/67 Season three, episode two: Dark Wings, Dark Words
Sluggish early-season number, although we meet Olenna and Margaery shows how skilful she will be at manipulating court.
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27/67 Season one, episode eight: The Pointy End
Until the later series, eight episodes are a bit hamstrung by setting up denouements to follow. This is true in season one, as the machinery creaks to set up the beheading they didn’t think could happen.
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28/67 Season three, episode seven: The Bear and the Maiden Fair
Even re-looking at what happened in this episode I still can’t really remember it, except for the fight with the bear. Oh yes, Mackenzie Crook! Forgot he was in this programme.
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29/67 Season two, episode five: The Ghost of Harrenhal
Two good moments: Renly is killed by the shadow, and Arya meets Jaqen H’ghar.
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30/67 Season six, episode two: Home
The demise of top lad Roose Bolton, as well as Balon Greyjoy, both sent to their ends by their families. Melisandre finally works her anti-death magic on Jon Snow.
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31/67 Season four, episode five: First of His Name
One of the good things about season four was that it was the only moment where, even briefly, it looked as though a kind of temporary stability had been achieved. Tommen is king, Sansa has escaped King’s Landing, Jon Snow and co get revenge on the mutineers at Craster’s Keep.
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32/67 Season two, episode 10: Valar Morghulis
The White Walkers attacking the Night’s Watch at the Fist of the First Men is a good laugh, but other than that there is a lot to get through, after the events of Blackwater in the previous episode, and the season two finale anticipates some of the rushed feeling that will occur later on.
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33/67 Season one, episode seven: You Win or You Die
Our first real glimpse of what Cersei will become, as she outmanoeuvres Ned Stark after Robert Baratheon’s death in a hunting accident.
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34/67 Season seven, episode one: Dragonstone
A superb Arya moment, as she wipes out the rest of House Frey, but mainly this is set-up for a season that packs a lot in.
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35/67 Season one, episode four: Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things
Ned working as policeman in Kings Landing to find out what happened to Jon Arryn.
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36/67 Season five, episode nine: Dance of Dragons
One of the most upsetting deaths in Game of Thrones, as Stannis Baratheon burns his friendly daughter Shireen alive to appease Melisandre.
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37/67 Season seven, episode two: Stormborn
Theon jumping off the boat after Euron overruns the Greyjoy fleet. Nice reunion between Arya and Hot Pie. Tyrion talks Daenerys down from incinerating King’s Landing.
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38/67 Season six, episode six: Blood of My Blood
Midseasoner. Cersei sends Jaime to retake Riverrun, while Arya is finally trained as an badbadin. Can’t really remember it, to be honest.
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39/67 Season one, episode five: The Wolf and the Lion
Jaime and Ned have a brawl in the streets of King’s Landing in an episode that focuses on skulduggery rather than magic. If you ask me skulduggery always trumps magic.
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40/67 Season three, episode three: Walk of Punishment
The first moment where a character’s trajectory was really reversed. We’d disliked Jaime since the start, but when his hand was chopped off he began to win us back. The Blackfish schooling Edmure at shooting fire arrows was another highlight.
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41/67 Season four, episode one: Two Swords
The opening of the fourth series introduced the charismatic, enigmatic Viper of Dorne, one of the few good things other than wine to come out of Dorne. Also notable for an excellent scene with Arya and the Hound clearing out an Inn.
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42/67 Season two, episode three: What is Dead May Never Die
Introduces Margaery Tyrell and Brienne of Tarth, two of the best characters, and also sees Theon decide to betray Robb Stark. What is family? Who can you trust?
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43/67 Season three, episode eight: Second Sons
Built around Sansa and Tyrion’s unwelcome wedding, while in the north there is a display of how important Sam will be as he draws on reserves of bravery to dragonglbad a white walker.
HBO
44/67 Season four, episode seven: Mockingbird
Littlefinger dumping Lysa out of the Eyrie is probably the most dramatic moment here, one of his decisive power-stealing moments as he saves Sansa.
HBO
45/67 Season one, episode one: Winter Is Coming
Can you remember a time before Game of Thrones? Re-watch ‘Winter is Coming’, marvel at the baby Starks, think on how many characters have died, reflect on your own mortality. You are much, much older than when Game of Thrones began. Your life is running between your fingers.
HBO
46/67 Season one, episode six: A Golden Crown
Another dramatic death which is hard to remember now, as the miserable Viserys was put out of his grump with molten gold.
HBO
47/67 Season two, episode six: Old Gods and the New
Theon takes Winterfell. Theon, you utter bastard. I hope you are punished for this.
HBO
48/67 Season five, episode three: High Sparrow
A key Littlefinger episode, as he continues to manipulate Sansa, while Jon Snow executes Janos and, in King’s Landing, Cersei’s machinations are matched by Margaery’s.
HBO
49/67 Season four, episode two: The Lion and the Rose
Joffrey, scratching at his throat, going purple, dying. Top stuff.
HBO
50/67 Season four, episode six: The Laws of Gods and Men
An excellent mid-season episode, built around Tyrion’s trial but with lots of other things to admire that hint at the underlying economies in the Game of Thrones universe. Drogon barbecues some livestock, while the Iron Bank of Braavos refuses to bail out Davos and Stannis.
HBO
51/67 Season three, episode four: And Now His Watch Is Ended
The full depravity of Ramsay Bolton is laid bare as he taunts Theon with a fake escape, while Commander Mormont is murdered at Craster’s Keep. But really it’s all about Daenerys, as she and her pets flame Astapor to the ground.
HBO
52/67 Season seven, episode seven: The Dragon and the Wolf
It turns out Jon Snow is actually the true heir to the Seven Kingdoms, the remaining Stark children finally team up to kill Littlefinger, admittedly in overwrought style, and the White Walkers use their new lizard hairdryer to destroy the wall. There is far too much going on, especially the odd scene where Jon shows Cersei the wight, but nevertheless it sends you reaching for the popcorn and cheering along, which is more or less where we are at with the whole series by now.
HBO
53/67 Season three, episode five: Kissed by Fire
Most notable for Ygritte and Jon’s much-parodied love grotto scene, but also for the Hound’s duel with Bendric Dondarrion, which revealed his terror of fire. Nursing his stump in the baths, Jaime tells Brienne the truth about his badbadination of the Mad King. Mid-seasoner.
HBO
54/67 Season five, episode 10: Mother’s Mercy
The denouement of the fifth series is the most sympathetic we ever see Cersei, as she completes her walk of atonement through the streets of King’s Landing, her hair cut and her clothes stripped. Strategically, humiliating Cersei proves not to be the masterstroke the High Sparrow thought it would be.
HBO
55/67 Season seven, episode four: The Spoils of War
Spoils aplenty. Arya returns to Winterfell and sees Sansa, then fights a brief duel with Brienne that shows just how much she’s learnt. It’s nothing on one of the great shots of the whole series, however: Daenerys riding Drogon above a Dothraki horde in full charge before incinerating the Lannister lines.
HBO
56/67 Season one, episode 10: Fire and Blood
We were promised dragons, and here they are, mewing atop the naked Daenerys. And one thing we know about baby dragons is they must grow up. This is Game of Thrones’ version of Chekhov’s rule about guns. You’ll keep watching until they torch something.
HBO
57/67 Season five, episode eight: Hardhome
As the big battles go, the showdown between the Night’s Watch and wildlings and the wights at Hardhome doesn’t quite match some of the others, but it is still dead cool, especially when Jon realises his sword works against the snowmen. If that wasn’t enough, Sansa also learnt that her family might be alive.
HBO
58/67 Season four, episode nine: The Watchers on the Wall
The big set-piece between the Night’s Watch and the wildlings. Not quite up to Blackwater’s standards, despite its battle specialist Neil Marshall being summonsed back to direct.
HBO
59/67 Season seven, episode three: The Queen’s Justice
There is too much crammed into this episode, which could have been spread over several hours, but it’s wonderful stuff all the same. Jon meets Daenerys for the first time, Sam cures Jorah of greyscale, Cersei obliterates the Tyrells. Best of all is Diana Rigg, at a table in her tower, bowing out from what is perhaps Thrones’ best overall performance.
HBO
60/67 Season six, episode five: The Door
Poor old Hodor. The death nobody wanted, as a wonderful character, played so sympathetically by Kristian Nairn, is finally given his due.
HBO
61/67 Season four, episode eight: The Mountain and the Viper
Other things happen: Littlefinger takes over the Vale, and the Boltons move into Winterfell, but the episode is mainly memorable for the central duel, as Oberyn seeks justice from the man who murdered so many of his relatives, and for one image above all, of the Mountain’s armoured fingers crushing Oberyn’s skull like a grapefruit.
HBO
62/67 Season one, episode nine: Baelor
Poor old Ned Stark. The death they said could never happen! Clearly they had not watched enough Sean Bean films.
HBO
63/67 Season six, episode 10: The Winds of Winter
Winter has come. It opens with peak Cersei, as she eliminates all her remaining enemies in one enormous blaze. Arya kills Walder Frey. The Jon Theory is confirmed. Tommen walks out of the window.
HBO
64/67 Season three, episode nine: Rains of Castemere
The Lannisters send their regards. Some would have this number one, and one could easily make the case. The Red Wedding was the scene that broke Game of Thrones out of its fandom and into broader popular culture, the point where it was no longer avoidable. Fury, anguish, love, surprise, pity, hate: it’s all here. The look Roose Bolton gives Catelyn Stark when she reveals the chainmail he is wearing to dinner might be my single favourite moment of the whole programme.
HBO
65/67 Season six, episode nine: Battle of the Bastards
Anyone who has seen Mel Gibson’s Mayan drama Apocalypto knows that running in a straight line away from arrows rarely works. So it proved for Rickon, setting up one of the great battles not only on TV but on any kind of film. Where in previous seasons battles had occasionally felt hampered by budget, most egregiously when Tyrion was knocked out and missed the whole thing, this was the full belt and braces. It was brilliantly directed, with aerial shots, as well as face-in-the-mud close-ups to convey the full grinding horror of the battle, and the grim relief of victory.
HBO
66/67 Season four, episode 10: The Children
The fourth season is the best all-round, I think, the high-point of character development before it started to be forced by the machinations of the plot in the later series. Brienne’s bloody brawl with the Hound leaves him bleeding and broken, as Arya heads off to Braavos. Tywin finally gets his comeuppance, a crossbow bolt on the loo, administered by his son, Tyrion, who then flees. And Stannis’s cavalry arrives to save Jon and defeat Mance Rayder and the wildlings in a pincer movement, having been persuaded by Davos.
HBO
67/67 Season two, episode nine: Blackwater
This is purely a personal view, but if Ned Stark’s death was the moment you sat up and paid attention, Blackwater was the where you started cheering at the TV. The scale, the splendour, the depth of character brought to bear on grand events: they all felt new, somehow. This might have been the last moment where we were equally rooting for both sides, except for one side to be consumed in an eerie green glow. Wildfire doesn’t care who your favourite character is.
HBO
1/67 Season seven, episode five: Eastwatch
There has to be a loser. ‘Eastwatch’ throws away one of the most important pieces of information in the whole show, Jon’s true parentage, as well as lots of good reunions. It’s the clearest example of how rushed the show has become in recent years, as its unpredictability gives way to conventional plot.
HBO
2/67 Season four, episode three: Breaker of Chains
Jaime appears to rape Cersei next to Joffrey’s corpse. The scene is confused, unpleasant and different from the books in confusing and unhelpful ways.
HBO
3/67 Season five, episode six: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
The Sand Snakes are just unbearably naff and this is one of their worst.
HBO
4/67 Season 4, episode 4: Oathkeeper
At Craster’s Keep, much rape and murder of children. Unpleasant.
HBO
5/67 Season one, episode two: The Kingsroad
The opposite of the rushed plot of the later seasons, this is basically a leisurely chat up the M1.
HBO
6/67 Season two, episode eight: Prince of Winterfell
There is some good stuff with Arya and Jaqen H’ghar, but it’s mainly placeholder as they set up the Battle of Blackwater.
HBO
7/67 Season three, episode 10: Mysha
Jon Snow and Ygritte’s goodbye at the climax of season three ought to have been much sadder.
HBO
8/67 Season five, episode two: The House of Black and White
Lots of setting up. Jaime and Bronn plan to go to Dorne, Arya arrives in Braavos.
HBO
9/67 Season seven, episode six: Beyond the Wall
This ought to have been one of the great battles: ice zombies plus dragons plus Jon Snow’s expedition. It looked spectacular, but everyone worried about teleporting ravens and speed of sound dragons.
HBO
10/67 Season six, episode eight: No One
Some absolutely horrible banter between Grey Worm and Missandei.
HBO
11/67 Season two, episode seven: A Man Without Honour
Pyat Pree kills the 13 in Qarth. Tywin talks to Arya about legacy.
HBO
12/67 Season six, episode one: The Red Woman
Melisandre is a very, very old woman.
HBO
13/67 Season two, episode two: The Night Lands
Lots of Tyrion talking in King’s Landing but not much else.
HBO
14/67 Season six, episode seven: The Broken Man
The Hound meets Ian McShane. That’s about it in an episode full of preparations.
HBO
15/67 Season three, episode one: Valar Dohaeris
A clbadic season opener that flits from place to place.
HBO
16/67 Season two, episode four: Garden of Bones
Lots of grimness. Rat and bucket torture at Harrenhal. Robb Stark meets Talisa. Joffrey is cruel to Ros and Daisy.
HBO
17/67 Season five, episode one: The Wars to Come
Mance Rayder refuses to bend the knee, is burned at the stake by Stannis before Jon shoots him with an arrow. A pretty good death actually.
HBO
18/67 Season five, episode five: Kill the Boy
Season five is perhaps the weakest, and this is one of the weakest episodes in it, despite some good Bolton action and the Stone Men’s fateful attack on Tyrion and Jorah Mormont as they sailed through Valyria.
HBO
19/67 Season two, episode one: The North Remembers
In the season two opener we meet Stannis at Dragonstone, and then Joffrey orders a tremendous infanticide. It was vaguely controversial at the time. Feels like a lifetime ago. ‘Power is power,’ Cersei tells Littlefinger, which was good.
HBO
20/67 Season six, episode three: Oathbreaker
Jon Snow coming back to life really shouldn’t have felt flat. Yet it did.
HBO
21/67 Season one, episode three: Lord Snow
Understandable given that it had to build an entire medieval universe, but 12 major characters are introduced here. That’s too many major characters.
HBO
22/67 Season six, epsidoe four: Book of the Stranger
Jon and Sansa reunite, which is cool, Daenerys burns some more enemies, which is hot, good High Sparrow monologue to Margaery.
HBO
23/67 Season three, episode six: The Climb
Theme of climbing. Thormund makes his way up the Wall; Littlefinger gives his most famous monologue, as he explains to Varys that chaos is ‘a ladder’.
HBO
24/67 Season five, episode two: Sons of the Harpy
Mid-season doldrums, particularly acute in five, as Jaime and Bronn arrive in Dorne.
HBO
25/67 Season five, episode seven: The Gift
The same, basically, except for Tyrion meeting Daenerys. Everyone gives each other presents.
HBO
26/67 Season three, episode two: Dark Wings, Dark Words
Sluggish early-season number, although we meet Olenna and Margaery shows how skilful she will be at manipulating court.
HBO
27/67 Season one, episode eight: The Pointy End
Until the later series, eight episodes are a bit hamstrung by setting up denouements to follow. This is true in season one, as the machinery creaks to set up the beheading they didn’t think could happen.
HBO
28/67 Season three, episode seven: The Bear and the Maiden Fair
Even re-looking at what happened in this episode I still can’t really remember it, except for the fight with the bear. Oh yes, Mackenzie Crook! Forgot he was in this programme.
HBO
29/67 Season two, episode five: The Ghost of Harrenhal
Two good moments: Renly is killed by the shadow, and Arya meets Jaqen H’ghar.
HBO
30/67 Season six, episode two: Home
The demise of top lad Roose Bolton, as well as Balon Greyjoy, both sent to their ends by their families. Melisandre finally works her anti-death magic on Jon Snow.
HBO
31/67 Season four, episode five: First of His Name
One of the good things about season four was that it was the only moment where, even briefly, it looked as though a kind of temporary stability had been achieved. Tommen is king, Sansa has escaped King’s Landing, Jon Snow and co get revenge on the mutineers at Craster’s Keep.
HBO
32/67 Season two, episode 10: Valar Morghulis
The White Walkers attacking the Night’s Watch at the Fist of the First Men is a good laugh, but other than that there is a lot to get through, after the events of Blackwater in the previous episode, and the season two finale anticipates some of the rushed feeling that will occur later on.
HBO
33/67 Season one, episode seven: You Win or You Die
Our first real glimpse of what Cersei will become, as she outmanoeuvres Ned Stark after Robert Baratheon’s death in a hunting accident.
HBO
34/67 Season seven, episode one: Dragonstone
A superb Arya moment, as she wipes out the rest of House Frey, but mainly this is set-up for a season that packs a lot in.
HBO
35/67 Season one, episode four: Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things
Ned working as policeman in Kings Landing to find out what happened to Jon Arryn.
HBO
36/67 Season five, episode nine: Dance of Dragons
One of the most upsetting deaths in Game of Thrones, as Stannis Baratheon burns his friendly daughter Shireen alive to appease Melisandre.
HBO
37/67 Season seven, episode two: Stormborn
Theon jumping off the boat after Euron overruns the Greyjoy fleet. Nice reunion between Arya and Hot Pie. Tyrion talks Daenerys down from incinerating King’s Landing.
HBO
38/67 Season six, episode six: Blood of My Blood
Midseasoner. Cersei sends Jaime to retake Riverrun, while Arya is finally trained as an badbadin. Can’t really remember it, to be honest.
HBO
39/67 Season one, episode five: The Wolf and the Lion
Jaime and Ned have a brawl in the streets of King’s Landing in an episode that focuses on skulduggery rather than magic. If you ask me skulduggery always trumps magic.
HBO
40/67 Season three, episode three: Walk of Punishment
The first moment where a character’s trajectory was really reversed. We’d disliked Jaime since the start, but when his hand was chopped off he began to win us back. The Blackfish schooling Edmure at shooting fire arrows was another highlight.
HBO
41/67 Season four, episode one: Two Swords
The opening of the fourth series introduced the charismatic, enigmatic Viper of Dorne, one of the few good things other than wine to come out of Dorne. Also notable for an excellent scene with Arya and the Hound clearing out an Inn.
HBO
42/67 Season two, episode three: What is Dead May Never Die
Introduces Margaery Tyrell and Brienne of Tarth, two of the best characters, and also sees Theon decide to betray Robb Stark. What is family? Who can you trust?
HBO
43/67 Season three, episode eight: Second Sons
Built around Sansa and Tyrion’s unwelcome wedding, while in the north there is a display of how important Sam will be as he draws on reserves of bravery to dragonglbad a white walker.
HBO
44/67 Season four, episode seven: Mockingbird
Littlefinger dumping Lysa out of the Eyrie is probably the most dramatic moment here, one of his decisive power-stealing moments as he saves Sansa.
HBO
45/67 Season one, episode one: Winter Is Coming
Can you remember a time before Game of Thrones? Re-watch ‘Winter is Coming’, marvel at the baby Starks, think on how many characters have died, reflect on your own mortality. You are much, much older than when Game of Thrones began. Your life is running between your fingers.
HBO
46/67 Season one, episode six: A Golden Crown
Another dramatic death which is hard to remember now, as the miserable Viserys was put out of his grump with molten gold.
HBO
47/67 Season two, episode six: Old Gods and the New
Theon takes Winterfell. Theon, you utter bastard. I hope you are punished for this.
HBO
48/67 Season five, episode three: High Sparrow
A key Littlefinger episode, as he continues to manipulate Sansa, while Jon Snow executes Janos and, in King’s Landing, Cersei’s machinations are matched by Margaery’s.
HBO
49/67 Season four, episode two: The Lion and the Rose
Joffrey, scratching at his throat, going purple, dying. Top stuff.
HBO
50/67 Season four, episode six: The Laws of Gods and Men
An excellent mid-season episode, built around Tyrion’s trial but with lots of other things to admire that hint at the underlying economies in the Game of Thrones universe. Drogon barbecues some livestock, while the Iron Bank of Braavos refuses to bail out Davos and Stannis.
HBO
51/67 Season three, episode four: And Now His Watch Is Ended
The full depravity of Ramsay Bolton is laid bare as he taunts Theon with a fake escape, while Commander Mormont is murdered at Craster’s Keep. But really it’s all about Daenerys, as she and her pets flame Astapor to the ground.
HBO
52/67 Season seven, episode seven: The Dragon and the Wolf
It turns out Jon Snow is actually the true heir to the Seven Kingdoms, the remaining Stark children finally team up to kill Littlefinger, admittedly in overwrought style, and the White Walkers use their new lizard hairdryer to destroy the wall. There is far too much going on, especially the odd scene where Jon shows Cersei the wight, but nevertheless it sends you reaching for the popcorn and cheering along, which is more or less where we are at with the whole series by now.
HBO
53/67 Season three, episode five: Kissed by Fire
Most notable for Ygritte and Jon’s much-parodied love grotto scene, but also for the Hound’s duel with Bendric Dondarrion, which revealed his terror of fire. Nursing his stump in the baths, Jaime tells Brienne the truth about his badbadination of the Mad King. Mid-seasoner.
HBO
54/67 Season five, episode 10: Mother’s Mercy
The denouement of the fifth series is the most sympathetic we ever see Cersei, as she completes her walk of atonement through the streets of King’s Landing, her hair cut and her clothes stripped. Strategically, humiliating Cersei proves not to be the masterstroke the High Sparrow thought it would be.
HBO
55/67 Season seven, episode four: The Spoils of War
Spoils aplenty. Arya returns to Winterfell and sees Sansa, then fights a brief duel with Brienne that shows just how much she’s learnt. It’s nothing on one of the great shots of the whole series, however: Daenerys riding Drogon above a Dothraki horde in full charge before incinerating the Lannister lines.
HBO
56/67 Season one, episode 10: Fire and Blood
We were promised dragons, and here they are, mewing atop the naked Daenerys. And one thing we know about baby dragons is they must grow up. This is Game of Thrones’ version of Chekhov’s rule about guns. You’ll keep watching until they torch something.
HBO
57/67 Season five, episode eight: Hardhome
As the big battles go, the showdown between the Night’s Watch and wildlings and the wights at Hardhome doesn’t quite match some of the others, but it is still dead cool, especially when Jon realises his sword works against the snowmen. If that wasn’t enough, Sansa also learnt that her family might be alive.
HBO
58/67 Season four, episode nine: The Watchers on the Wall
The big set-piece between the Night’s Watch and the wildlings. Not quite up to Blackwater’s standards, despite its battle specialist Neil Marshall being summonsed back to direct.
HBO
59/67 Season seven, episode three: The Queen’s Justice
There is too much crammed into this episode, which could have been spread over several hours, but it’s wonderful stuff all the same. Jon meets Daenerys for the first time, Sam cures Jorah of greyscale, Cersei obliterates the Tyrells. Best of all is Diana Rigg, at a table in her tower, bowing out from what is perhaps Thrones’ best overall performance.
HBO
60/67 Season six, episode five: The Door
Poor old Hodor. The death nobody wanted, as a wonderful character, played so sympathetically by Kristian Nairn, is finally given his due.
HBO
61/67 Season four, episode eight: The Mountain and the Viper
Other things happen: Littlefinger takes over the Vale, and the Boltons move into Winterfell, but the episode is mainly memorable for the central duel, as Oberyn seeks justice from the man who murdered so many of his relatives, and for one image above all, of the Mountain’s armoured fingers crushing Oberyn’s skull like a grapefruit.
HBO
62/67 Season one, episode nine: Baelor
Poor old Ned Stark. The death they said could never happen! Clearly they had not watched enough Sean Bean films.
HBO
63/67 Season six, episode 10: The Winds of Winter
Winter has come. It opens with peak Cersei, as she eliminates all her remaining enemies in one enormous blaze. Arya kills Walder Frey. The Jon Theory is confirmed. Tommen walks out of the window.
HBO
64/67 Season three, episode nine: Rains of Castemere
The Lannisters send their regards. Some would have this number one, and one could easily make the case. The Red Wedding was the scene that broke Game of Thrones out of its fandom and into broader popular culture, the point where it was no longer avoidable. Fury, anguish, love, surprise, pity, hate: it’s all here. The look Roose Bolton gives Catelyn Stark when she reveals the chainmail he is wearing to dinner might be my single favourite moment of the whole programme.
HBO
65/67 Season six, episode nine: Battle of the Bastards
Anyone who has seen Mel Gibson’s Mayan drama Apocalypto knows that running in a straight line away from arrows rarely works. So it proved for Rickon, setting up one of the great battles not only on TV but on any kind of film. Where in previous seasons battles had occasionally felt hampered by budget, most egregiously when Tyrion was knocked out and missed the whole thing, this was the full belt and braces. It was brilliantly directed, with aerial shots, as well as face-in-the-mud close-ups to convey the full grinding horror of the battle, and the grim relief of victory.
HBO
66/67 Season four, episode 10: The Children
The fourth season is the best all-round, I think, the high-point of character development before it started to be forced by the machinations of the plot in the later series. Brienne’s bloody brawl with the Hound leaves him bleeding and broken, as Arya heads off to Braavos. Tywin finally gets his comeuppance, a crossbow bolt on the loo, administered by his son, Tyrion, who then flees. And Stannis’s cavalry arrives to save Jon and defeat Mance Rayder and the wildlings in a pincer movement, having been persuaded by Davos.
HBO
67/67 Season two, episode nine: Blackwater
This is purely a personal view, but if Ned Stark’s death was the moment you sat up and paid attention, Blackwater was the where you started cheering at the TV. The scale, the splendour, the depth of character brought to bear on grand events: they all felt new, somehow. This might have been the last moment where we were equally rooting for both sides, except for one side to be consumed in an eerie green glow. Wildfire doesn’t care who your favourite character is.
HBO
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