Okay, so two Sunday nights ago. we saw the closing for Game of Thrones’ most intense season (and their best season so far). So to celebrate this (i know it’s late but it was meant to be posted after the episode was shown) occassion, let me post my favorite moments of the series so far.
I limited this to twenty because the list would not have ended if I add them all. But there are definitely a lot that I have missed (Theon's torture scenes, Jorah and Daenerys breakup, Ned vs Jamie, all of Ghost's kills, and every scene with Lady Olenna Tyrell) , feel free to let me know in the comments the ones that you think should have been here.
So let's start this list with:
20 Sansa Learns To Lie (Season 4 Episode 8)
Sansa has never been the most interesting nor important character in the show. She's been mostly portrayed as the weakest of the Stark siblings. For all the stupid things she has done in the first few episodes of season 1, whatever happened to her (attempted rape, abuse from Joffrey, verbal abuse from Cersei) was of her doing. I'm actually surprised that she's one of the surviving Stark child. But all of that abuse eventually had to stop. Towards the end of Season 4, to pay back for Littlefinger's help, Sansa created this elaborate lie about how her aunt committed suicide. It was a very compelling scene, with great acting from Sophie Turner. It's awesome because this may very well be the moment that Sansa finally embraces the dark side.
19 What Bran Saw At The Top Of The Tower (Season 1 Episode 1)
I have not read the George R R Martin series. I know it exists and I know it's really good. There was a lot of hype when this show started from all the geeks in the interweb, and that got me interested in the show. The first episode really wasn't that great. The opening scene was great but I thought that the middle parts slowed the series down. But towards the end, that's what changed my mind. Looking back, this is what got me hooked on the show. Incest and child abuse. Bran, the fourth child of Ned and Cat was traversing the tower walls when at the top he hears a strange noise. There was moaning and panting. Lo and behold, what does the child see, the queen being fucked by her twin brother. And when he was spotted, he was pushed out the window so that the queen's secret will be kept safe.
18 Daenerys Targaryen: Wanton Sex Queen (Season 1 Episode 3)
At the start of this series, Dany was a week girl. She was pushed around by her brother. Raped by her husband and was made to believe that she's only an asset so her brother can usurp the throne that was stolen from their family. But Dany knows she's more than that. She accepts her fate and decides to do something about it so she can get what she wants. We all know that the way a woman can dominate a man is to dominate him in bed. It took her some training with her hand maiden and soon enough she has Khal Drogo in her fingertips.
17 Valar Morghulis (Season 2 Episode 10)
Jaqhen H'ghar and Arya Stark had a very interesting relationship in Season 2 of the series. Jaqhen was doing Arya's bidding. And by her bidding, I mean he's assassinating Arya's targets. Everything culminated by the end of t he season. For Arya to escape her captors, she blackmails Jaqhen to kill more men. And in the middle of their escape, Arya bumps into Jaqhen and tells her what he really is... a faceless man. Apparently, they are the coolest people in the whole of Westeros. They parted ways in the end, but what's awesome is that there is a chance Arya's path is towards that of the Faceless Men.
16 Tyrion Slaps Joffrey (Season 1 Episode 2)
The slap that started it all. While at this point, we didn't know that Joffrey would grow to become the vilest villain in Game of Thrones history, we at least knew that he was a prick. Being the good uncle / decent person that Tyrion is, after what happened to Bran. He asked his nephew to go to the Starks to offer their sympathies for what happened to the kid. The kid declines and slap. Joffrey warns the imp then slap, another one. Joffrey tries to reason one more time and then SLAP. The little weasel could only walk away. Tyrion's luck went downwards after that, but looking back and knowing now how evil Joffrey would become, this scene was something we should cherish.
15 Brienne Vs The Bear (Season 3 Episode 7)
Game of Thrones is at its best when they pair up characters. Tyrion and Bronn. Arya and the Hound. Varys and Littlefinger. Lady Olenna and whoever. Season 3's best pairing however was Brienne of Tarth and Jaime Lannister. It was an odd pairing that started antagonistically. Brienne was tasked to bring Jaime back to King's Landing in the hopes that the Lannisters will be returning the Stark daughters back to Catelyn. But what started as antagonistic ended in friendship. In Harrenhal, Jaime went back for Brienne only to find out that she was thrown into a pit to fight off a bear. To save the lady, Jaime jumped into the pit and threatened not to come out unless she's with him. And so begins Jaime's redemption.
14 White Walkers (Season 2 Episode 10)
While technically Game Of Thrones is a Fantasy show, the series is too grounded that we sometimes forget that there are dragons and shadow creatures lurking around Westeros. But one of the more fantastical creatures of the series was finally introduced in the Season 2 finale of the show. We finally get a glimpse of what the soldiers on The Wall are finally guarding. Fucking Zombies!!! And they are scary as shit!!! Winter is coming indeed.
13 Sandor Clegane Vs Berric Dondarion (Season 3 Episode 5)
Oh I put this on the list because who does not like a fight where one of the fighters uses a flaming sword? One of the coolest scenes on television. Ever.
12 The Death of Viserys Targaryen (Season 1 Episode 6)
Viserys has been a jerk. Ever since the moment we first laid our eyes on the elder Targaryen, we knew he was an ass. He sold his sister to the Dothraki so he can build an army. He let Khal Drogo rape his younger sister all for the uncertainty of them helping him take over King's Landing. He was a vile, irrational and pretty much annoying. Not only to the viewers but mostly to the Dothraki tribe. So when the time came he demanded to have a taste of the Dothraki women, and be treated like a king, Drogo fulfilled his wish. He poured a pot of melted gold. Yes it was sick, but it was only the first of many gruesome deaths that the show has in store for us.
11 The Death of Ned Stark (Season 1 Episode 9)
This was the Oh Shit moment of the first season. The first time that we realized that no one is safe in Westeros. Not even it's lead character Ned Stark. Sean Bean was the face of Game of Thrones. And he did not even live long enough to finish the season. My jaw dropped when I first saw this episode. Just like the millions of people who have seen Game of Thrones, we cried for the elder Stark. He was the one we were all rooting for to sit on the Iron Throne, and he just got beheaded. WTF right?! But it is awesome that the show has the balls to drop it's lead star just like that. If he hadn't died, Arya, Robb, Sansa, Jon Snow and Bran, would probably just be bit players til now.
10 The Birth of the Dragons (Season 1 Episode 10)
This was what kept me from dropping the show. Watching the first season finale, I was so depressed. By that time, they have killed two of the most loved characters of the series (Ned Stark and Khal Drogo). I thought Arya alone would not be able to make me sustain my interest on the show. But then, by the end of the episode, Daenarys rose out of the fire, and with her dragons. Baby fucking dragons!!! I'm glad I stayed and stuck with this show. And we've got Khaleesi's babies to thank for that.
9 The Trial of Tyrion Lannister (Season 4 Episode 6)
Just read this chilling speech and tell me you're not getting goosebumps imagining Peter Dinklage's emmy worthy performance.
"I did not kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had. Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores.
"I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it.
"I will not give my life for Joffrey's murder. And I know I'll get no justice here, So I'll let the gods decide my fate.
"I demand a trial by combat!"
Chilling.
8 The Battle of Blackwater (Season 2 Episode 9)
You see that flash of green destruction in the picture above. That's some shit that's both deadly and beautiful at the same time. This I think is the first time that Game of Thrones shows it's viewers that they can do Lord of the Rings style of war and destruction. When I saw this episode I remember being overwhelmed by how big the whole battle was. It's like watching a big budget movie. And then this is the episode that elevated Tyrion's hero status. He showed great leadership and made us want to root for the people of King's Landing even if their King is an idiot.
7 Hound Vs Brienne / Arya Leaves The Hound (Season 4 Episode 10)
I have to cheat on this one, these are two great moments that I had to combine since they all occurred together. It started when Brienne crossed paths with Arya and The Hound. Some witty banter were thrown and then Brienne and Sandor got into the most gnarly fight I have ever seen on television. Groins were kicked. An ear was bit off. And then we end the whole scene with Arya. Just staring at the Hound who was begging her to kill him. That look, it says more than any line would ever have. We know that The Hound is on Arya's list of people she wants to kill. But she's not going to let him die in his own terms. Instead, she leaves him to die a long and lonely death. That's dark.
6 The Battle for Castle Black (Season 4 Episode 9)
Mammoth-riding giant archers!!! That alone easily puts this moment or episode at the top of the most awesome GOT moments list. In season four's penultimate episode, we are taken north of Westeros, on The Wall where the Wildlings for some reason find it's time to finally take over the giant landmark. You can't help but cheer for the crows on this one. Jon Snow showed effective leadership, as well as that other guy who we disliked on previous episodes when he disagreed with Jon Snow's suggestions. Plus, it gave us that long seamless shot of the fight inside the wall that was just breathtaking. Oh, and anytime we see some direwolf action, you know there's no wrong in direwolf scenes.
5 The Viper Vs The Mountain (Season 4 Episode 8)
Oh you can tell from the picture above that this one ended nasty. All season long we know that Oberyn Martell came to King's Landing for one thing only. Revenge. He knew The Mountain did it. He knew that the Lannisters were behind it. He just wanted a confession. And when Tyrion demanded a trial by combat, the Viper knew it was his chance to finally get what he wanted. The fight was epic. It's like David vs Goliath, and the Viper had the upper hand. Miraculously, he was able to stab The Mountain in the chest. That was great until, for one moment, while showboating, he set his eyes away from the enemy. Immediately The Mountain put him down, knocked his teeth away and slowly, while confessing crushed Oberyn's skull. Along with the hopes of Tyrion winning the trial.
4 Tyrion's Revenge (Season 4 Episode 10)
For two seasons, Tyrion has been humiliated, stripped of his power, wrongly accused of murder and sentenced to death. Right now, he's one of the very few characters in the show that we consider as the hero. And with the death of Oberyn a few episodes prior, everything looked hopeless for everyone's favorite imp. Fortunately for him, he still has friends in King's Landing, and he escaped. But not before he exacts his revenge. I think his father's death was a bit disappointing, but what he did to Shae was incredibly satisfying. Hearing her neck snap was painful to watch but you can't help but think that she deserved it after betraying Tyrion twice.
3 The Death of Joffrey (Season 4 Episode 2)
The asshole king is dead. It was a long frickin' death. The turd deserved it. And it was so satisfying. 'Nuff said.
2 The Red Wedding (Season 3 Episode 9)
This was awesome. But to be honest, this is one of the most painful scenes to watch in the entire run of Game of Thrones. This effectively eliminated some of the show's biggest heroes. In a wedding nonetheless. And they spared no one. Not even the pregnant wife of Robb Stark. Not even the direwolf. And worse, they cut off it's head and sewn it to Robb's lifeless body. It is awesome because this is when GOT nails in the head the fact that no one is safe in George RR Martin's opus. Absolutely no one. Until now, I can still hear Catelyn Stark's last cry of pain.
1 Daenerys Takes Over Astapor (Season 3 Episode 4)
In total, I think I have replayed this scene like 15 times. This is my favorite scene of the entire series. It's a spectacle. It's grand. It's a perfect scene. It started with Kraznys showing off his Unsullied at the same time bad mouthing the mother of dragons, calling her a pig and bitch. He was using the Valyrian language thinking the Mother of Dragons could not understand him. But then, in a grand showing of power, Dany spoke in Valyrian, telling Kraznys that dragons are not slaves and ordering the Unsullied to kill everyone holding a whip. Dracarys. With one word ending the life of the slave master and destroyed a city. The scene ended with Dany marching out of the city finally with an army she can call her own. Epic.
Sound off if you think I missed on anything.