Image via HBO
Published Mar 19, 2026, 7:38 PM EDT
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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It's been nearly seven full years since Game of Thrones ended its epic eight-season run. As devoted fans continue to air their grievances over its ending, it has not prevented us from still celebrating the iconic series. Created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones has left a lasting impression on television because of its monumental moments.
Over 73 episodes, Game of Thrones has given us some exceptional television, but as a Game of Thrones fan, there are ten episodes that stand out as the absolute best of its run. From shocking weddings to unbelievable character origin revelations, these episodes remain the ones we will forever discuss. Though there may be some essential episodes missing from the celebration, these episodes are in a league of their own.
"Baelor"
Season 1, Episode 9
Image via HBOAs previously mentioned, if we were to discuss the most essential episode from the premiere season, it would be the pilot, "Winter is Coming." A near-perfect pilot, it set us up for the universe we would be engulfed in. But the moment that reminded us that your favorite characters could be gone with a swing of your own sword. In the ninth episode of Season 1, "Baelor," the series proved that even if you're a top-billed actor, you are not safe in this universe. Let's set up the moment. Ned Stark (Sean Bean), imprisoned and accused of high treason, struggles with whether he should falsely confess to save his daughters. He ultimately does, but the promise is reneged, leading to his beheading at the order of King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson). It's a truly heartbreaking scene to watch as his daughters, Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya (Maisie Williams), watch in shock. It's a turning point in the story, but the final image of Ned alive, aware that his daughters will be safe, gives us some semblance of solace: he's not going out knowing his sacrifice is not all for naught.
Killing off Ned, played by a beloved actor and the highest profile performer in the cast, was a brazen move. Yet, Game of Thrones fans respected the decision, seeing it as a willingness to do what it takes for the sake of the greater narrative. It opened the door for future series to take major risks of their own when it comes to high-profile stars. Of course, book readers were waiting for it, as they had with subsequent moments, but for series-only watchers, "Baelor" was the first profoundly shocking moment of the series that earned the show watercooler status.
"Blackwater"
Season 2, Episode 9
Image via HBOIf there is one trend you'll find, it is that the penultimate episode of a season tends to be the best. While we love a juicy cliffhanger to keep us anxiously waiting for the next season, it's the action in nearly every Episode 9 that sets up the action for the season finale. For Season 2, "Blackwater" brought us one of the first epic battle scenes that kept us glued to our screens. The first single-location episode, "Blackwater" was all about King's Landing. Through a massive land and sea assault, the episode saw Stannis Baratheon's (Stephen Dillane) fleet eager for an all-out war. It appears that defeat is on their hands as Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is prepared to kill her children and herself should the city fall. A shocking revelation, but in this universe, the only fate worse than death is defeat. But just when Stannis seems to be on the path to victory, it's Tyrion Lannister's (Peter Dinklage) leadership and Tywin Lannister's (Charles Dance) arrival, with the aid of the Tyrells, that drive off the attackers. As acting Hand, Tyrion rallies the city's defenders, inspiring them to fight for their home. Though he is wounded in battle, his brilliant plan of using wildfire becomes the turning point. Resulting in a ginormous explosion in a green, fiery imagery, King's Landing stands.
This episode is a crucial character moment for Tyrion. On the side of the show's antagonists, he proves, even as the black sheep of the family, that, for now, he's family first. Further, Tyrion showcases his brilliance, something many had taken for granted. As viewers, we know that this man is destined for greatness. Dinklage's performance is phenomenal, his best yet at this point. Now, from a technical standpoint, it's what we've all been waiting for. The production was sensational. The visuals were raw and cinematic. The tension built from the potential fall to the overwhelming victory was expertly crafted. The episode even won Emmy Awards for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. "Blackwater" became the blueprint for every major battle that followed.
"The Rains of Castamere"
Season 3, Episode 9
Apologies in advance for renewing your trauma at Game of Thrones' most epic bloodbath, "The Rains of Castamere." Perhaps one of the greatest episodes on television, the penultimate episode of Season 3 was also its most devastating. Known as "The Red Wedding," the episode centered on the nuptials of Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies) and Roslin Frey (Alexandra Dowling). A story at what lengths one will go for betrayal, Robb Stark (Richard Madden) arrives at the Twins, willingly apologizing to Walder Frey (David Bradley) for reneging on his marriage pact. But love is love, and he loved Talisa. Though Walder seems to accept his apology, it's all a facade. "The Rains of Castamere" starts to play, and a massacre commences. Walder's men begin attacking the wedding guests and murdering the Starks' men. This leads to the execution of Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley), Talisa Stark (Oona Chaplin), and Robb. The moment that Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) utters, "The Lannisters send their regards," we're officially back to loathing that family once again. Perhaps the only moment of reprieve is that The Hound (Rory McCann) and Arya arrive as the massacre is underway, preventing Arya from joining the high body count.
Weddings are meant to be celebrations, but after this iconic episode, we all have trepidation when we attend one in real life. Especially if the band starts playing the titular song! From a viewer's perspective, this episode was the most shocking yet, as non-book readers were unprepared for the amount of blood that would spill. It's an unrelenting scene, expertly written and directed. Once the bloodshed begins, there is no coming up for air until the bitter end. Like Ned Stark's death in Season 1, in one fell swoop, we lost three major characters and brilliant performers. At this point, Madden was toward the top of the fan favorite list. As was Fairley. This episode once again proved your favorites are far from safe. Perhaps knowing it was her end, "The Rains of Castemere" was Fairley's greatest performance of the series. The episode welcomed memes galore, and rightly so. It was a television moment!
"The Lion and the Rose"
Season 4, Episode 2
Image via HBOAnother wedding, shall we? After spending some time recovering from The Red Wedding, fans were waiting for the Lannisters to get theirs. Thankfully, it came only two episodes into Season 4. Finally, one of the most loathed characters in television history would be gone for good. And in glorious fashion. Let's discuss. Brilliantly played by Gleeson, Joffrey was simply terrible. There were never redeeming qualities about him. He was a character you loved to hate—you loved watching him for entertainment, but hated seeing him continually come out on top. But in this episode, karma caught up to him. The central storyline of "The Lion and the Rose" revolved around the wedding of Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). Having already been broken up by ending his relationship with Shae (Sibel Kekilli) to protect her, Tyrion found himself cruelly publicly humiliated by his nephew. Joffrey even uses his happy day to taunt Sansa. But it all takes a major turn when it's revealed that Joffrey's wine has been poisoned. A graphic death, for haters of the character, watching life leave him as he turned purple, it was a satisfying moment. Though it's only short-lived, as Tyrion is immediately accused by his sister of murder.
The episode is another major turning point in the story. Brilliantly introduced early in the season, The Purple Wedding set up major conflicts. The fallout from Joffrey's death has lingering effects, but it's not until Season 7 that we get the major reveal: it was Lady Olena Tyrell, brilliantly played by Diana Rigg, who orchestrated his death to protect her granddaughter from the king's cruelty. Having spoken greatly about how heroes can quickly be killed, the villains can go out when the time is right. Joffrey was the primary antagonist, but that title was immediately handed over to Cersei for the remainder of the series. Normally, we would feel for a mother losing her child, but this was a rare moment, we simply could not have empathy. That is the genius of Game of Thrones: subverting normal emotions through a character-driven narrative. Though the episode is fondly remembered for Joffrey's incredible death, it also brought a crucial character moment for both Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), who officially earned the moniker, "Reek." Like Joffrey's death set up major plotlines, this moment of Ramsay trying to become the big baddie saddles up his battle against the Starks. And yes, we'll get to that Season 6 episode shortly. "The Lion and the Rose" was an example of whirlwind emotions in a single episode.
"The Mountain and the Viper"
Season 4, Episode 8
Image via HBOTypically, we are enamored by the massive action sequences, but sometimes a one-on-one battle leads to an extraordinary, thrilling rush. Though it meant the death of a rising character, you must give Game of Thrones credit for leaving nothing to the imagination. As Joffrey's death still haunts Tyrion and his innocence, the time has come for the brutal trial by combat. In one corner, it's Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal), serving as Tyrion's champion, present to avenge his sister's, Elia, death. In the other corner, it's Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), a man whose moniker represents him fittingly. Even with immense swagger and the ability to taunt a giant killing machine, the Viper is no match for the Mountain. Oberyn had the upper hand in the battle, stabbing Gregor with a poison-laced spear. Rather than finishing him off, he wants to use the moment to proclaim Twyin's culpability. But before he could expire, Gregor tripped his opponent and showed no mercy. Literally. In perhaps one of the most graphic moments in the series, Gregor gouges Oberyn's eyes out and crushes his skull, killing him instantly. With a loss in battle, Tyrion is sentenced to death.
A wickedly brilliant and utterly gruesome fight, "The Mountain and the Viper" delivered on Game of Thrones promise to deliver monumental episodes. Though it was a bit before Pascal's rise to superstardom in Hollywood, if his character was going to go out, this was how he deserved to. The trial by combat was a wonderful way to expand on the rules of this world, demonstrating that violence, not conversation, is the only way to resolve anything in Westeros. Again, subplots are important in this episode. The biggest moment comes when Daenerys learns that her faithful advisor Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) has informed Tywin about her whereabouts. This led to his banishment, a devastating event that left Dany unable to trust anyone henceforth. One of the highest-rated episodes from both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, "The Mountain and the Viper" was truly an outstanding episode.
Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz
Which Lord of the Rings
Character Are You?
One Quiz · Ten Questions · Your Fate Revealed
The road goes ever on. From the green hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, every soul in Middle-earth carries a destiny. Ten questions stand between you and the truth of who you are. Answer honestly — the One Ring has a way of revealing what we most want to hide.
💍Frodo
🌿Samwise
👑Aragorn
🔥Gandalf
🏹Legolas
⚒️Gimli
👁️Sauron
🪨Gollum
BEGIN YOUR QUEST →
01
You are handed a responsibility that could destroy you. What do you do? The weight of the world falls on unlikely shoulders.
AAccept it. Someone has to, and running changes nothing. BStay by the side of whoever carries it. They shouldn't go alone. CStep forward and lead. This is exactly what I was made for. DIt's mine now. I won't let anyone else have it.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
Your closest companion is heading into terrible danger. You: True loyalty is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis.
AFollow them without hesitation. I'd rather die beside them than live without them. BRally others and forge a plan to help — strength in numbers. COffer wisdom and guidance. My counsel may save them where swords cannot. DLet them go. Only the strong survive, and sentiment is a weakness.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
Enormous power is within your reach. Your instinct is: Power corrupts — but only those who reach for it.
ADestroy it. Nothing good comes from power this absolute. BUse it to protect those I love — just this once. CWield it wisely. I have the will and the knowledge to do good with it. DSeize it. I have waited long enough. It belongs to me.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
What does "home" mean to you? Where we long to return reveals who we truly are.
AA simple, peaceful place — green hills, good food, no adventure required. BWherever the people I love are. Home is a feeling, not a place. CA kingdom I must earn before I can truly claim it as mine. DI lost it long ago. That loss is what drives everything I do.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
When a battle is upon you, your approach is: War reveals what we are made of — whether we like it or not.
ASurvive by any means. I'm not a fighter — but I'll do what I must. BFight for the person beside me, not for glory or honour. CLead the charge. Nothing inspires an army like a king at the front. DStrike from range, fast and precise — never let them get close.
NEXT QUESTION →
06
Someone comes to you for advice in their darkest hour. You: Wisdom is not knowing all the answers — it's knowing which questions to ask.
AListen, then offer honest encouragement. Sometimes people just need belief. BGive them practical help — words are fine, but action is better. CSpeak carefully. I have seen much, and I know what counsel can cost. DTell them what they want to hear. Trust is a tool like any other.
NEXT QUESTION →
07
How do you see yourself, honestly? Self-knowledge is the most dangerous kind.
ASmall and ordinary — but perhaps that's exactly why I was chosen. BDefined entirely by who I serve and love. I am nothing without them. CForged by hardship into something the world has not yet fully seen. DDiminished from what I once was — and consumed by the need to reclaim it.
NEXT QUESTION →
08
Which of these best describes your relationship with the natural world? Middle-earth speaks to those who know how to listen.
AI find peace in it — forests, rivers, open skies. Nature restores me. BI prefer the earth underfoot — stone, mines, solid and real things. CI have watched the world change for longer than most can comprehend. DNature offers hiding places, cold water, raw fish. That's enough for me.
NEXT QUESTION →
09
You encounter a wretched, pitiable creature who has done terrible things. You: How we treat the fallen reveals the height of our character.
AShow mercy. Even the most broken souls deserve a chance at redemption. BPity them — but never trust them. They made their choices. CSee them as a tool. Their knowledge or skills may still serve a purpose. DDestroy them before they can cause more harm. Mercy is a luxury we cannot afford.
NEXT QUESTION →
10
When the quest is over and the songs are sung, what do you hope they say about you? In the end, we are all just stories.
AThat an ordinary person did an extraordinary thing — and came home. BThat I never abandoned the person who needed me most. CThat I was worthy of the crown — and everything it demanded. DNothing. I don't need songs. I needed it, and now it's gone.
REVEAL MY FATE →
The Fellowship Has Spoken Your Place in Middle-earth
The scores below reveal your true character. Your highest number is your match. Even a tie tells a story — the Fellowship was never made of simple people.
💍 Frodo
🌿 Samwise
👑 Aragorn
🔥 Gandalf
🏹 Legolas
⚒️ Gimli
👁️ Sauron
🪨 Gollum
You carry something heavy — and you carry it alone, even when you don't have to. You were not born for greatness, and that is precisely why greatness chose you. Your courage is not the roaring, sword-swinging kind; it is quiet, stubborn, and terrifying in its refusal to quit. The Ring weighs on you more than anyone can see, and still you walk toward the fire. That is not weakness. That is the rarest kind of strength there is.
You are, without question, the best of them. Not the most powerful, not the most celebrated — but the most essential. Your loyalty is not a trait; it is a force of nature. You would carry the person you love up the slopes of Mount Doom if it came to that, and we both know you'd do it without being asked. The world needs more people like you, and the world is lucky it has even one.
You were born to lead, and you have spent years running from it. The crown is yours by right, but you know better than anyone that right means nothing without the will and the worthiness to back it up. You are tempered by loss, shaped by long roads, and defined by a code of honour you hold to even when no one is watching. When you finally step forward, the world shifts. Because it was always waiting for you.
You have seen more than you let on, and you say less than you know — which is exactly as it should be. You are a catalyst: you do not fight the battles yourself, you ignite the people who can. Your wisdom comes not from books but from an age of watching what happens when it is ignored. You arrive precisely when you mean to, and your presence alone changes what is possible. A wizard is never late.
Graceful, perceptive, and almost preternaturally calm under pressure — you see things others miss and act before others react. You do not need to make a scene to be remarkable; your presence speaks for itself. You are loyal to those you choose to stand beside, and that choice is not made lightly. You have lived long enough to know that the most beautiful things in this world are also the most fragile, and that is why you fight to protect them.
You are loud, proud, and absolutely formidable — and beneath all of that is one of the most fiercely loyal hearts in Middle-earth. You don't do anything by half measures. Your friendships are forged like iron, your grudges run as deep as mines, and your courage in battle is the kind that makes legends. You came into this fellowship suspicious of everyone and ended it willing to die for an elf. That is not a small thing. That is everything.
You think in centuries and act in absolutes. Order, dominion, control — not because you are cruel by nature, but because you have decided that the world left to itself always falls apart, and you are the only one with the vision and the will to hold it together. You were not always this. Something was lost, or taken, or betrayed, and the version of you that stands now is the answer to that wound. The tragedy is that you're not entirely wrong — just entirely too far gone to course-correct.
You are a study in contradiction — pitiable and dangerous, cunning and broken, capable of both cruelty and something that once resembled love. You are defined by loss: of innocence, of self, of the one thing that gave your existence meaning. Two voices war inside you constantly, and the tragedy is that the better one sometimes wins, just not often enough, and never at the right moment. You are a warning, yes — but also a mirror. We are all a little Gollum, given the right ring and enough time.
↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ
"Hardhome"
Season 5, Episode 8
Image via HBOThe threat of the White Walkers always loomed largely over Westeros. As political turmoil between the houses raged on, it was the undead that were truly what should be feared most. No one was truly prepared for what was behind the Wall until the arrival of the Night King (Richard Brake). An unmatched turning point for the remainder of the series, "Hardhome" was not only a pivotal, plot-driven episode but also a phenomenally shot, battle-centric thriller. After watching Daenerys accept Tyrion into her council, generating a major alliance for seasons to come, we move over to Jon Snow (Kit Harington) in Hardhome. Joined by Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), they recruit five thousand Wildlings for battle, but the Army of the Dead proves to be a force like no other. Even though Jon successfully kills a White Walker with Longclaw, his Valyrian steel sword, it's a devastating defeat, forcing the survivors to escape by sea. But the existential threat of the power of the White Walkers is met the moment they witness the Night King reanimate the dead Wildlings. In Westeros, no one is safe. A distant threat has come to the frontlines.
We knew Jon to be a heroic leader, as his wit and skill set had proven necessary. Only he could unite the Night's Watch and the Free Folk against the undead soldiers. Watching Jon lose, only due to the greatest threat he's ever known, changed the course of the entire story in stunning fashion. The battle explored the terrifying stronghold that the Night King and his Wight army posed. Through high-stakes action and emotional tension, it's an overwhelming battle unlike anything presented previously. "Hardhome" is a legendary episode as it had only been mentioned, not seen, in A Dance with Dragons. Allowing readers and viewers to witness this together helped the episode earn top-tier status. The other brilliant element of this episode is that the battle episode broke the mold by putting it in Episode 8 rather than the typical Episode 9, allowing for an astounding moment to unfold.
"Mother's Mercy"
Season 5, Episode 10
Image via HBOThe season finales tend to be great as they wrap up a season, but the Season 5 finale, "Mother's Mercy," was unlike any other. Game of Thrones forced fans to wait an entire year to find out whether Jon Snow was dead. The anxiety of anticipation defined just how exceptional a series Game of Thrones was. But first, the 50th overall episode had other crucial moments that elevated it to top-tier status. In Winterfell, Stannis is finally defeated by the Boltons, no less. Though he thought defeat was a devastating blow to his pride, it was his betrayal of Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) he should have been most worried about. An execution much awaited for, Brienne finally got justice for the murder of Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony). The next major moment comes in the form of karma for Cersei, forced to confess to the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) her former relationship with Lancel (Eugene Simon). Though she continues to deny mothering children to her brother. To atone for her sins, she is paraded in the streets naked, pelted with garbage, spit, and feces by the jeering crowd of King's Landing. Her brother, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), is given a major blow as Myrcella Baratheon (Nell Tiger Free) dies in his arms after a poisoned lipstick kiss from Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma).
Now, for the moment that we cursed our screens over: the biggest betrayal in Game of Thrones history. After sending Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), Gilly (Hannah Murray), and her baby to Oldtown, he is summoned by Olly (Brenock O'Connor) and Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) under the pretense of a wildling having recently seen his uncle, Benjen Stark. Unfortunately, the realization that he's been betrayed comes a moment too late as Thorne, Bowen Marsh (Michael Condron), Othell Yarwyck (Brian Fortune), Olly, and others take turns stabbing Jon, accompanied by the phrase, "For the Watch." The episode ends with Jon dying in the snow, as the camera pans out, leaving us fearing that another favorite character was gone for good.
Easily the strongest overall season finale, "Mother's Mercy" was pure gold. What made the Benioff and Weiss-written episode so perfect was its storytelling and the sensational use of dramatic emotional build-up. We see karma come to three major antagonists. We see a beloved heroine finally get her moment; but the rug is completely ripped from under us as all the good turns to devastation. No matter how satisfied we felt, it was that final moment that left us with our mouths dropped. That final shot of Jon in the snow became an image that would go down in infamy. The way the fandom immediately turned on dear Olly was astonishing. To conclude this entry, we must discuss the impact "Shame" had on pop culture. Not only do we get a wonderful Easter egg, with our adored Hannah Waddingham portraying Septa Unella, the woman who would utter the infamous line, but that scene also blew up the internet, launching memes galore. Had Jon's death not rocked the fandom, the finale would have been all about the Walk of Shame.
"The Door"
Season 6, Episode 5
Image via HBOMuch of our character's backstory is learned by telling, rather than showing. Then came Season 6's game-changing "The Door" that broke those rules. Hodor's (Kristian Nairn) origin came to fruition just as we were forced to say goodbye. The mid-way point of Season 6 was uniquely centered around Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright). His visions, in which he connects the past with the present, proved to be a remarkable hour of television. First, he learns that the Children of the Forest created the first White Walker to defend themselves from the First Men. By no means does this soften the blow for the destruction the White Walkers bring. It does provide important context. But it's the Hodor story that brought out an emotional element the series longed for.
While in a vision, Bran hears the cries of Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick), who is trying to save Bran's body while the Children hold back the wights. Bran splits his consciousness by remaining in the past while simultaneously controlling Hodor in the present. As the Night King (Vladimir Furdik) kills the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow), Meera instructs Hodor to "hold the door" so they can flee from the wights. Overwhelmed by the split consciousness, Bran enters the mind of Wylis (Sam Coleman), better known as young Hodor. Unfortunately, Bran's struggle with consciousness leads to Wylis suffering a seizure as he sees his own death. He suddenly begins to shout "hold the door" while convulsing and suddenly slurring the phrase "Hodor." As the brute force that literally carried Bran through the world, he was devoted, almost to a fault. This made his death even more tragic. While other storylines continue to emerge, it's this single event that brought such distress to the fandom. The writing of this episode, revealing that Hodor's entire existence was the fault of Bran, was a brilliantly surprising moment. Completely unexpected and hauntingly beautiful, Game of Thrones evolution in storytelling had never been better.
"Battle of the Bastards"
Season 6, Episode 9
Image via HBOBack to another epic penultimate episode! Perhaps the single greatest battle sequence in the entire series, "Battle of the Bastards," was a complete game-changer. Before we get to the technical mastery of this battle at Winterfell, in Meeren, the budding partnership between Daenerys and Tyrion grows stronger as, rather than surrendering to the Masters, Daenerys burns it all down, thanks to Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. An absolutely brilliant sequence, it was only an appetizer for what was to come. At Winterfell, Jon and Ramsay are unable to reach a deal as it involves Sansa in exchange for a pardon. Instead, knowing the odds were stacked against him, Ramsay refuses single combat in exchange for a battle between 6,000 of his men against 2,400 of the Starks' army. As the armies gather, Ramsay makes a threatening play, releasing Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson), who believed he would be reunited with his family. Instead, arrows are lodged right at him, killing him while igniting Jon's rage. And yes, we all screamed at our screen for the kid to zigzag!
From there, what we got was the greatest technical feat the show had produced. Ramsay, using ruthless tactics including a shield wall and a massive pile of bodies, traps the Stark army. But thanks to the timely arrival of the Knights of Vale, led by Sansa and Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), the underdogs were victorious, reminding us that Game of Thrones isn't always as terrible as it seems! In perhaps the most satisfying final moment for any villain, an imprisoned Ramsay has one last stand with Sansa, who informs him that the Bolton line will end with him. Though he believes his hound will not turn on him, the joke's on him as they devour him. As Sansa smirked in satisfaction, so did we. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, "The Battle of the Bastards" is another highly rated episode, handled with precision. Earning an Emmy Award for his achievement, the unparalleled depiction of war through the sensational six-minute, one-take provided controlled chaos that left fans on the edge of their seats. With a cathartic ending for the Starks, finally, there was some reprieve. While we did lose Rickon along the way, count it as a small victory that Jon was spared. A genuine battle between good and evil, "Battle of the Bastards" is the epitome of perfection.
"The Winds of Winter"
Season 6, Episode 10
Image via HBOFor our final entry, we depart with the finale of Season 6. Yes, that means we are neglecting the final two seasons because we're still bitter. "The Winds of Winter" had everything: official confirmation of Jon's true parentage, Arya getting revenge on Walder Frey by slitting his throat following the revelation that his sons were baked into pies he consumed, Daenerys naming Tyrion her Hand as they set sail for Westeros with a growing fleet, and Cersei unleashing complete and utter devastation as an act of revenge. If you believed the body count was high in the previous episode, when you welcome wildfire back into the equation, no one is safe. With seismic plot developments and shocking twists, the Season 6 finale stands atop as the finest finale episode we've seen. While Dany and Arya's storylines are monumental, especially if they are your favorite characters, it's Jon's parentage and Cersei on the warpath that stand out as the most memorable moments. Jon, now King in the North, gains further claim to the throne after Bran's vision proves Jon is the son of Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi) and Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding). Fans were waiting for this revelation confirmation, so seeing it come to fruition was a beautiful gift to the long-discussed theories.
Now, to Cersei. In a mission to eliminate all of her political and religious enemies, she uses wildfire to destroy the Great Sept. In a single swoop, the likes of the High Sparrow, Margaery, Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), and many others are killed, and she therefore avoids her trial, gets revenge for her shame, and finds herself as queen. Of course, the last part is thanks to her son, King Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman), committing suicide by jumping out of a window upon learning that Margaery was dead. One would think that Cersei would be distraught at losing her last child, but she's not. She's the first Mad Queen we'll meet. The sequence is brilliantly crafted while delivering exceptional non-battle devastation. It further builds upon Cersei's character, proving she'll stop at nothing to gain control. Her Season 6 arc seemed to be one of defeat, but to see her win in the end, that's how phenomenal villains develop to greatness. Marking the official end of the middle act of the series, Game of Thrones sadly never found the same glory achieved in this mind-blowing episode.
English (US) ·