Sometimes, fantasy TV narratives end up creating scenarios that are so intense that it is impossible to forget. These scenes usually impact the overall story, but they are iconic even with little context. Fantasy scenes can be intense for several different reasons, including devastating tragedy, high stakes that make it impossible to look away from, or a narrative decision that fundamentally changes the story forever. Regardless of the reason, these unforgettable, intense scenes from fantasy TV shows are some of the best, and fantasy television would not be the same without them.
10
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Azula Kills Aang & Katara Revives Him With Spirit Water
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2, Episode 20, "The Crossroads of Destiny"
One of the most intense scenes in Avatar: The Last Airbender occurs in season 2, episode 20, "The Crossroads of Destiny." In this shocking finale, Aang and Katara battle Azula and Zuko in the Crystal Catacombs, fighting for the fate of the Earth Kingdom. The scene intensifies when Aang enters the Avatar State by letting go of his earthly attachment to Katara to beat Azula and Zuko. Unfortunately, Azula manages to strike Aang with her lightning while he is in the Avatar State, effectively killing Aang until Katara revives him with her spirit water.
Although Avatar: The Last Airbender has several unforgettably intense scenes, Aang nearly dying hits differently than the others. When Azula strikes Aang with lightning, the show hits its lowest point. The Fire Nation successfully takes over the Earth Kingdom, and Aang is presumed dead until Katara revives him with spirit water. Knowing that the Fire Nation would have definitively won the war if Katara did not have spirit water puts this intense scene over the edge, making it impossible to forget.
9
The Vampire Diaries - Elena Gilbert Dies
The Vampire Diaries Season 3, Episode 22, "The Departed"
The Vampire Diaries has plenty of intense scenes, from revealing the truth about Silas in The Vampire Diaries season 4 finale to the destruction of the Other Side in the season 5 finale. However, Elena Gilbert's human death in The Vampire Diaries season 3, episode 22, "The Departed" is on an entirely different level. In the season 3 finale, Elena rushes back to Stefan before Klaus Mikaelson's vampire line is inevitably wiped out. However, her car crashes off the same bridge that her parents crashed off, sealing Elena's fate.
This scene is intense because of how it unravels—the parallel between the present day and Elena's parents' deaths, Damon devastatingly realizing that Elena is dying, and the shocking reveal that she has vampire blood inside her.
Although Stefan tries to save Elena, she is adamant about saving Matt first. Stefan has always put Elena's agency first, so he abides by her wishes, resulting in fatal consequences. This scene is intense because of how it unravels—the parallel between the present day and Elena's parents' deaths, Damon devastatingly realizing that Elena is dying, and the shocking reveal that she has vampire blood inside her. The scene ends with Elena opening her eyes, indicating she is now transitioning into vampirism.
8
Game Of Thrones - The Red Wedding
Game of Thrones Season 3, Episode 9, "The Rains of Castamere"
The Red Wedding in Game of Thrones season 3, episode 9, "The Rains of Castamere," is unforgettable and one of the most iconic scenes in fantasy TV history. Robb Stark and his forces attend Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey's wedding at the Twins. The event quickly turns bloody in a shocking twist, revealing House Frey and House Bolton conspired with House Lannister against House Stark. Walder Frey and Roose Bolton's men ambush Robb's bannermen by brutally murdering them. Game of Thrones' Red Wedding results in several character deaths, including Robb Stark and Catelyn Tully Stark.
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Robb Stark's death is one of the most upsetting in Game of Thrones, but his decision-making throughout the war is what ultimately leads to this fate.
The Red Wedding in A Song of Ice & Fire is already intense, but Game of Thrones makes the Red Wedding far worse because of a significant Robb Stark change. In Game of Thrones, Robb Stark marries Talisa Maegyr, and she attends the wedding alongside her husband. Furthermore, Talisa is evidently several months pregnant. In the books, Robb's wife, Jeyne Westerling—who is not pregnant—remains behind against her wishes. Game of Thrones' Red Wedding is far more brutal because it depicts Robb Stark's wife and unborn being stabbed to death, a horrific change that significantly raises the scene's intensity.
7
Once Upon A Time - Emma Swan Becomes The Dark One
Once Upon A Time Season 4, Episode 22, "Operation Mongoose: Part 2
Once Upon a Time is known for its plot twists, from revealing Henry's birth father to Regina and Zelena being sisters. One of the show's most unforgettable plot twists occurs in season 4, episode 22, "Operation Mongoose: Part 2." The darkness derived from the Dark One's dagger unleashes in Storybrooke, finding its way to Regina. However, in a selfless act, Emma Swan jumps in to save Regina and Storybrooke, volunteering to take on the identity of the Dark One. This plot twist is not that shocking, given the narrative's foreshadowing throughout season 4.
Once Upon a Time's Known Dark Ones
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Character
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Actor
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Nimue
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Caroline Ford
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18 Unnamed Dark Ones
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N/A
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Gorgon
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N/A
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Zoso
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Brad Dourif
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Rumplestiltskin
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Robert Carlyle
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Wish Rumplestiltskin
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Robert Carlyle
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Emma Swan
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Jennifer Morrison
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Killian Jones
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Colin O'Donoghue
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However, this scene of Emma Swan becoming the Dark One is still highly intense because of the circumstances. Emma is selfless when she consumes the darkness of the Dark One's dagger, sacrificing herself for Regina and Storybrooke. Before Emma takes the darkness, she tells Killian that she loves him after being terrified to do so all season. It is a heartbreaking and intense scene that ends with Emma's name on the Dark One's dagger and her sudden disappearance.
6
Teen Wolf - Scott McCall Roars
Teen Wolf Season 5, Episode 10, "Status Asthmaticus"
In Teen Wolf season 5, episode 10, "Status Asthmaticus," Scott learns the truth about Theo Raeken's sinister intentions, but by this point, it is too late—most of Scott's pack has left him, and Scott is alone to fight Theo. Theo ultimately kills Scott, attempting to enact his plan to become the Alpha of Scott's pack. However, the most intense part of this scene occurs afterward, when Melissa McCall arrives to find her lifeless son. Although Mason Hewitt insists that Scott has been dead for 15 minutes, Melissa ignores him and begins to do compressions.
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Many actors have appeared in both The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf, two shows about supernatural teenagers contending with ongoing magical conflict.
In one last desperate attempt to revive Scott, Melissa slams her fist on his chest. Scott opens his eyes and roars back to life, proving once again that he is the best Alpha in Teen Wolf. Until Scott opens his eyes, the stakes of this scene are extremely high, with Scott's status unknown and his pack essentially broken up. It is one of the show's darkest and most heartbreaking moments, illustrating how fractured Scott and his pack are. Melissa's desperation to revive her son also greatly intensifies this scene as Scott's fate remains hanging.
5
She-Ra & The Princesses Of Power - Catra Tells Adora She Loves Her
She-Ra & The Princesses Of Power Season 5, Episode 13, "Heart Part 2"
She-Ra & the Princesses of Power is one wild and exciting ride from start to finish, with many intense scenes that keep the narrative moving. One of the show's most intense scenes occurs in the series finale, when Horde Prime attempts to destroy Adora and her powers by infecting her with a virus. As Adora lies lifeless, Catra begs her to open her eyes and defeat Horde Prime's virus. Catra is desperate to revive Adora to the point that she finally confesses her love, which ignites Adora to push back against Horde Prime's virus.
Adora and the people of Etheria have come so close to defeating Horde Prime, only for Adora to stumble at the end because of the virus. All hope seems to be lost, but Catra's refusal to give up and her deep love pushes Adora over the finish line to defeat Horde Prime's virus and activate the failsafe. Catra's desperation contrasting Adora's hopelessness is why this scene is unforgettably intense.
4
Shadow & Bone - The Darkling Collars Alina Starkov
Shadow & Bone Season 1, Episode 7, "The Unsea"
Shadow & Bone only has two seasons, but the show is still filled with intense moments. One of these scenes occurs in season 1, episode 7, "The Unsea," after the Darkling has captured Alina and Mal while killing the stag. Although Alina initially wanted the stag's amplifier, she does not want it under the Darkling's terms, but it is too late. This scene depicts David—under the Darkling's orders—fusing Alina's amplifier with the Darkling's powers, giving him control over her light.
Shadow & Bone illustrates how critical powers are to Grisha, so Alina losing complete agency over her own is devastating. This scene is intense because it is unknown just how much the Darkling's hold over Alina will drain her until David fuses their powers. Watching Alina give up hope she had for her light provides a quiet intensity, making the scene impossible to forget.
3
House Of The Dragon - Alicent Stabs Rhaenyra
House Of The Dragon Season 1, Episode 7, "Driftmark"
House of the Dragon is based on the Targaryen Civil War, so the show has many intense scenes. From Daemon's fight in the War for the Stepstones to Lucerys' untimely death to the battle at Rook's Rest, there is no shortage of heart-racing moments. However, House of the Dragon has one scene that stands out from the rest in season 1, episode 7, "Driftmark." After Aemond claims Vhaegar and Lucerys cuts out his eye, there is an intervention between House of the Dragon's Team Black and Team Green.
The intervention at Driftmark results in Alicent stabbing Rhaenyra in an attempt to avenge Aemond by taking Lucerys' eye. When Alicent grabs Viserys' knife, chaos ensues between Team Black and Green to the point where it seems like a war will break out. The scene remains intense even once things calm down because of the heartbreaking dialogue between Alicent and Rhaenyra. This intervention at Driftmark is one unforgettable scene that illustrates the heart of Alicent and Rhaenyra's conflict.
2
My Lady Jane - Jane Rescues Guilford
My Lady Jane Season 1, Episode 8, "God Save The Queen"
My Lady Jane is a one-season fantasy show worth watching, partly because of the show's non-stop action and intense moments. One of these moments occurs in season 1, episode 8, "God Save the Queen," when Jane manages to escape her confinement and free Guilford. However, this scene is anything but ordinary because Jane saves Guilford right before he is executed. She arrives just as the flames engulf the platform he is tied on. Although the fire raises the stakes, it does not stop Jane from passionately kissing Guilford.
Release Date
2024 - 2023
Showrunner
Gemma Burgess, Meredith Glynn
Directors
Jamie Babbit, Stefan Schwartz
Writers
Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
Guilford ends up freeing himself by transforming into his horse form, making it the first time he can control his Ethian identity. This scene is epic and iconic, given the circumstances. It is highly romantic but also chaotic and brave. Jane and Guilford demonstrate their love for each other by Jane rescuing Guilford and Guilford finally controlling his Ethian transformations.
1
Interview With The Vampire - Louis & Lestat Reunite
Interview With The Vampire Season 2, Episode 8, "And That's The End of It. There's Nothing Else"
Interview with the Vampire has several unforgettable scenes, but Louis and Lestat's long-awaited reunion in season 2, episode 8, "And That's The End of It. There's Nothing Else," is exceptional. As the rain thunders outside, Lestat asks Louis about September 8, 1973, the day Louis almost kills himself. Louis and Lestat talk about it before moving on to Claudia. In a heartbreaking tone, Lestat admits that he cannot stop thinking about Claudia looking at him before she dies, similarly to how a child looks at their father. Louis and Lestat break down and tearfully embrace, marking their reunion.
Interview with the Vampire season 3 will focus on Lestat's time as a rockstar.
Interview with the Vampire season 2's ending might not be as chaotic as the first season's finale, but there is something about Louis and Lestat's reunion that makes the episode better. The events of September 8, 1973, and the trial in 1950 are both intense by themselves, but Louis and Lestat discussing them before passionately embracing makes these events much more profound and unforgettable scene in fantasy TV.
Custom Image By Milica Djordjevic
English (US) ·