Another friday, another category to vote for. In this edition of WiCnetSeason One Awards, we ask you to select the best dramatic scene out of the five nominees. In the following weeks we are also going to visit the show’s humourous side …
Vote below and then discuss your choice, politely as you have done in the past.
COMMENT: Well, this post seems to have got published a bit ahead of schedule. The previous poll is going to remain open until Friday, and in the future you can expect further categories to come up on Fridays as usual.
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158 Comments
Love you Ned, but…
Birth of Dragons. Fire and Blood!
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
er…cant I vote for the scene where Drogo flips out after the wine seller tries to poison Dany? That scene sent shivers down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. Jason Momoa was incredible…
torrellanQuote Reply
That would be Ned’s execution. I love the other scenes, too. But that scene was made really great, with Arya, the crowd, Sansa, Joffrey etc.
AbendsternQuote Reply
The Assassination Attempt! I still can’t watch that scene without cradling my hands in sympathetic pain.
*Also, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t over-think this so I went with my first instinct. :D
MiraxQuote Reply
Thus begins another thread full of people wanting to pick things not in the damn poll, lol.
I voted for Ned’s dead head.
Steve the PirateQuote Reply
I wasn’t sure what you were going to mean by “dramatic scene”, and had in my mind I was going to vote for Robert and Cersei’s little chat. Instead I got to vote for Ned’s execution. I thought I was going to be prepared for that scene having read the books, but I was not. Watching Arya’s face through it, and having Ned attmept ot save her in some small way by telling Yoren where she was, broke my heart all over again.
Can we have a vote for the best one-liner of season one? Tyrion’s got a ton, but I really need an opportunity to vote for Jaime Lannister’s “There are no men like me, there’s only me”
JillianQuote Reply
Found the King in the North pretty lame compared to the book. On the other hand it’s true that Drogo speech sent shivers down my spine but it was not “dramatic” (well yeah it was but noone died lol)
I hesitated between birth of dragons, bran and viserys…Loved the dragons, Bran was very tense and loved it but I also liked the build up to viserys crowning
SA_AvengerQuote Reply
I posted my first comment, then saw yours. Consider me properly shamed. :^)
JillianQuote Reply
Has to be Ned’s beheading solely based on observation of the incredible reaction from non-readers, and the intensity of seeing it played out on screen. Where the birth of dragons gave me shivers and got “Dragons! Yeah!” Reactions from my non-readers friends, the Beheading got extream physical and emotional response for weeks from them.
Kristen WeaverQuote Reply
Ned’s execution. It was billion times more dramatic than in the books.
Alexander DubrovskyQuote Reply
Ned. No question. Fire and blood was awesome, but Ned… was Ned.
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
Okay, which assassination attempt on Bran, the push or the knife?
Franny BeeQuote Reply
I love the scene when Tyrion is kidnapped (it is a good word in this case??? or rather impnapped) by Catelyn at the Inn.
BonoQuote Reply
Ned’s Execution. So upsetting to see his daughters reactions. Brans Assassination attempt was also pretty fantastic, loved it when Summer saveed the day :-D
You-know-nothingQuote Reply
Franny Bee,
Knife, probably. Planned ahead actions fit more under ‘assassination’ than spur of the moment window-pushes.
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
The Catelyn/Tyrion scene is in my opinion a classical greek drama. You think you are doing something good, but it is a complete catastrophe for everyone.
BonoQuote Reply
Definitely Ned’s execution. Having been a new watcher, it just left me shocked how they would kill a main character when we’ve barely gotten to know him after 9 episodes. Now that I’ve read the first 3 books, I’ve gotten used to it.
Mark AgiusQuote Reply
“Another friday, another category to vote for.”
Is today truly Friday? I’d willing to bet quite a lot of money that it’s in fact a Thursday…
RitariKnightQuote Reply
HOW DO I CHOOSE?!
All of these are fantastic. The assassination attempt was perfect, with a badass Michelle Fairley and an even more badass Summer. Viserys’ crowning was both terrifying and moving, because Harry Lloyd made me feel sympathy for the character when I never thought I could. King in the North was like THE one moment of Stark triumph, made even better by the setting and music and lighting.
But it’s down to the last two. Ned’s death. Birth of dragons. It’s like Sophie’s choice. :(
I fully adore the birth of the dragons, and it was such an emotional moment in so many ways – F Yeah! Girl Power! Dannnnyy! Emilia! FIRE AND BLOOD! It made me feel happy and proud and truly, in awe. I felt like I was in a world where these mystical creatures had just been brought back to life for the first time in centuries.
BUT. I think for this I will have to vote for Ned’s execution. And the primary reason? I keep having flashes in my head of the shots showing his slow breathing and Arya clutching Yoren’s chest and the birds flying away at the stroke of the sword. Despite any setting/scale constraints, that scene was so perfectly written, filmed, directed and acted that I think it deserves the crown. I knew what was coming and I still kept hoping Ned could somehow survive. The fact that I felt those emotions for even an instant proves to me that the scene was stellar.
Ned’s head FTW.
LinaQuote Reply
I vote for the “golden crown”. Sorry, Ned.
latebirdQuote Reply
Lina,
Wow, brilliant post. You’ve made me want to watch the whole series again ;-D
You-know-nothingQuote Reply
All of these scenes were amazing and I loved a lot of them, but I remember the way my heart was pounding during Ned’s execution and cannot justify voting for anything else
OhWhoCaresQuote Reply
Ned’s head, by a large margin.
Amir MishaliQuote Reply
RitariKnight,
It sure is! I knew there was a reason this felt wrong!
OhWhoCaresQuote Reply
Ned’s execution. That scene of Arya on Baelor’s statue, and Arya against Yoren’s chest still brings tears to my eyes.
purplejillyQuote Reply
I voted for the assassination attempt. When that scene was finished my father and I just turned to look at each other and said, “THAT was a good scene.” As a second choice I would pick Ned’s execution– the others felt a little anti-climactic for me in comparison with their book counterparts.
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
There can only be one…and that one is the one scene that 90% of us knew was coming and STILL froze the blood in our veins! Anybody voting for another scene probably does so because subconciously (or very conciously) they rather vote for the underdog than for the favourite, but Ned’s beheading is the only scene that can deservedly win this Award. Just think back of the buzz it created on the internet when it happened. It’s in a league of its own!
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Gotta go with Robert/Cersei. The execution was probably the best moment, but one that all us book-readers knew was coming, so we were building ourselves up for it. The chat between the Stag and Lioness wasn’t in the books, so I was completely blindsided by that scene. For those two to sit down and just calmly have it out and expose their true feelings to each other, it was drama at its finest. One of the first moments in the series that forced me to rewind and watch again and again. Beautifully written and acted, which makes drama what it is.
TarlyPwnsYourFaceQuote Reply
For the third time now, I find the choice of poll options to be very questionable, and now I am led to doubt how much whoever handpicked said options is actually a fan of the series…
“The birth of dragons” was extremely anticlimactic with how there was a pause and they had to wait for the day.
“The King in the North” was really nothing special. (Even in the books, I never thought much of this scene, tbh)
“Assassination attempt on Bran” was an action scene, not really a dramatic scene.
The other two are appropriate.
Here’s some scenes that should have been considered:
-Throne room scene at the end of episode 8.
-Confrontation with the wine seller.
-Khal Drogo killing Mago. (maybe a bit more on the action side)
-Jaime, Robert and ser Barristan in ep 3.
-Robert and Cersei in ep 5
-Tyrion’s “confession”
-Littlefinger’s sexposition
-Drogo’s vow to invade Westeros
-Arya and Sansa testifying on Nymeria’s attack on Joffrey (and Joffrey’s scenes in general)
and possibly others that I’m missing too
Now those are some truly worthy scenes that are worth considering!
something wittyQuote Reply
Mark Agius,
Well, if you have read the third book you have gotten to RW and know why at the Comic Con GRRM mentioned searching for a countrywhere they haven’t heard of television, to hide from the torch carrying mobs if and when that episode will be aired
UdiQuote Reply
Best dramatic scene is Catelyn seizing Tyrion
Vicki BeckwithQuote Reply
Tar Kidho,
Agreed. Though I was one of those that voted for one of the underdogs, lol. Still hope Neds head win.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Tar Kidho,
Totally agree with you. The dragons were awesome of course, with the music and closeup but even those who haven’t read the books were not that surprised by it. As for Ned’s beheading, it was so well executed (pun intended) and such a travesty Sean Bean did not get an Emmy nomination. Also, Commander Mormont, Jon and the Night’s watch heading North beyond the wall with Mormont’s speach voiceover was a very dramatic scene imo.
UdiQuote Reply
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thaught that was a bit bizarre. Like she really would stay kneeled there for hours untill the light of day came, and nobody went to have a look beforehand to see if there was anything left of her and her (worth-a-fortune) stone dragon eggs. But hey, it’s fantasy, no problem with my mind to accept that, and it was still an eerily beautiful scene. But best drama? No…
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
a crown for a king !
grandmaFunkQuote Reply
This is difficult, I loved all those scenes.
Having trouble choosing between Viserys’ crowning (if there’s a poll for most impressive death I think this wins!) and the assassination attempt on Bran. Both scenes stood out to me because the people seemed so real and vulnerable. Viserys, the look on his face, ‘that was all I wanted’- it was both richly deserved punishment and heartbreaking at the same time. As for the assassination, I really believed Catelyn was fighting for Bran’s life- grabbing the knife made me wince, but he’s trying to kill her son, who wouldn’t do the same? And Summer was amazing. Both in the attack, which worked very well, and calmly curling up with Bran afterwards.
I’ve gone back and forth on this for a while now trying to choose. And I think I have to go with the assassination attempt, largely because I’ve heard so much about how hard the dogs were to work with, and that must have been a very difficult direwolf scene, but it was brilliant.
ShinyteapotQuote Reply
A crown for a king! Harry Lloyd and Momoa both blew me away.
Dickon ManwoodyQuote Reply
Ned’s execution is of course the most breath-taking scene in the book, but I must say that in series it hasn’t impressed me so much. Maybe it’s because it wasn’t shown directly.
The others were. That’s why my final three are:
3. Things I do for love
2. King in the North!
1. Fire and Blood!
GrzebykKQuote Reply
Aaaah. This is cruel.
I have to go with Ned’s execution but I have a soft spot for the ‘king in the North’ scene too, knowing what happens in the later books. Viserys crowning was aslo one of the great dramatic moments. Such a difficult choice to make.
shalimarfox80Quote Reply
I´m confused… today is Thursday here… southern hemisphere is not detached from the rest of the planet yet, right? right? Please, do not lie to me.
I vote for Ned´s head, of course.
andreaQuote Reply
andrea,
Unless Europe has fallen prey to the same Rift in Time and Space, I think it’s mainly FaB that got confused a bit :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Ned’s execution was a head better than everything else… sorry.
So much of the season led us to that point, tension built, and then for there to be a new twist from the books as Ned says “Baelor” to Yoren in one final heroic act to save his daughter. Simply awesome.
Even the subtle looks from the Lannister crowd on stage.. Sansa going from thinking she saved her dad to realize she’s a naive troll. Cersei’s smug looks right up to Joffrey’s decision to kill Ned. Jofrrey all puffed out thinking he’s bad ass and not knowing he is sealing his fate and his family’s fate by killing Ned. Varys running to make appeals for the realm. And of course… Arya looking helpless , but charging the stage without a plan or a care for her own safety until she is nabbed by Yoren.
*Slice*…. Fade to black.
Best scene of the season.
darquemodeQuote Reply
So where do we find the results for the polls?
The Mourning StarQuote Reply
Tar Kidho,
I doubted for a moment. You never know what will happen to this planet.
andreaQuote Reply
Ned’s execution is top for me, but the Great Ranging with Mormont’s voice over is quite possibly second. That had chills running down my spine in a way that I think only Old Nan’s monologue matched.
Delta1212Quote Reply
I voted for The Golden Crown.
But Dragons! And Ned!
Nooooo the Dany vote will be split!!
userjQuote Reply
Neds’ execution.
My other choice would be Viserys getting his crown, but Neds’ execution scene was just pure breathtaking.
Henrik JornQuote Reply
I’ll have to go with Ned’s execution here. While the birth of the dragons was truly awesome, the emotional power of Ned’s death was just so incredibly well written and directed. Focusing on Arya’s face, all the sounds fading away, the birds taking flight. Absolutely perfect.
KatjaQuote Reply
I have to say all those scenes were great, I agree Momoa’s wine assassin reaction should be in there too, but it wouldn’t change my decision to go for KING IN THE NORTH, simply because it does such a great job of forshadowing… My housemate actually spang off the sofa and screamed ‘SON OF A BITCH!’ at the screen when Theon made his vow! for that and Greatjon Umber’s rousing ‘KING IN THE NORTH!’ rally call along with the perfect soundtrack I make this my winner.
EdibleBrainQuote Reply
i would have gone for the scene in ep 04 when Robert and Cersei share a private conversation and they talk about their marriage, a possible dothraki invasion and lyanna stark.
in want of that possibility, i chose viserys’ coronation.
alexQuote Reply
RitariKnight,
Maybe it’s Friday in, um, New Zealand?
Tom HiltonQuote Reply
There are three real contenders there (Golden Crown, dragons), but I have to give it to Ned’s execution. Everything about it was perfect (including the small touches they added, like Ned’s whispered “Baelor”), and it all added up to more than the sum of its parts. One of a handful of scenes that was even more effective than in the book.
Tom HiltonQuote Reply
Has to be Ned if only for Maisie Williams brilliant acting.
PhilQuote Reply
Pretty much sums up exactly what I was just going to write.
I echo everything Tom Hilton says here. :)
Grant GouldQuote Reply
Ah , Ned! We hardly knew ye.
ObsidianQuote Reply
Ned’s death and its not even close.
CharlesQuote Reply
REALLY hard choice. My top 3:
3. Viserys’ crowning, because Harry Lloyd is awesome in it, and all the others too.
2. Ned’s beheading, because.
1. Birth of dragons, because I keep watching it, crying and being inspired by it.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Birth of dragons.
Would have voted for Khal Drogo’s speech though if it were on the list.
shadallionQuote Reply
Ned’s execution. Brought me to tears.
lorinhellerQuote Reply
Posted this in the other thread but I’ll put it here too, just to be annoying.
Does anyone know who Oona Chaplin is? She claims in this article she has a part in GoT. I don’t remember if she was in the first season in some role or is a possible second season casting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/8695705/My-perfect-weekend-Oona-Chaplin.html
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
“We have a wolf”
KuglaQuote Reply
OhDanyBoy,
Pretty sure she was Ros’s partner during the Littlefinger sexposition scene.
uberstellarQuote Reply
Birth of Dragons gives me shivers, but Death of Ned brings me to tears. Tough choice.
LexQuote Reply
i don’t like dany, but i loved the dragon scene, it made me gave me chills! i found it on youtube the next day and had to keep watching it over. it made me remember all the epicness that comes in the rest of the series, because it felt like something big and new was starting.
but i voted for ned’s execution (obviously). i watched it online late at night and cried (i blame being over-tired), and it was so awful that i woke up my brother (i converted him into a fan) in tears because i couldn’t handle it alone and he was the only one who’d understand lol. the part that got me was right before he was beheaded, he looked out at the baelor statue and saw that arya wasn’t there anymore.
third place is king in the north, really because any time robb is on screen it’s dramatic to me, do any other book readers feel the same way? i wanted to be happy for this scene, but i ended up feeling a weird mix of hope and heartbreak. i got all choked up when cat watches him ride in from battle in ep9. too, and when she hugs him in ep10. i think they have a good mother-son chemistry going on. robb you are so awesome in this show and i want you to prevail. why?! why?!
fancySansaQuote Reply
uberstellar,
I thought that was Sahara Knite.
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
This scene just makes me really sad because I didn’t want Viserys to go!! He needed to stay!
purplejillyQuote Reply
No, that was Sahara Knite the pornstar.
LexQuote Reply
I agreed with Ned’s execution.
Igor VelosoQuote Reply
Lex,
According to this, she was not in last season of GoT – so she must be a new casting.
http://www.troikatalent.com/clients/printpdf/conor-mccaughan-and-sam-fox/oona-chaplin/
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
purplejilly,
yes, and also he played it so sweetly pathetic, though deranged… he called her Dany, which he had never done! I feel like in one second he realized the terrible mistake he had made for years, underestimating and abusing his little sister, but it was too late.
The KITN scene is cool for a lot of reasons (MAEGE MORMONT) but to me it fails in the very ending… everybody stand up, draw their weapons, shout and… put away their weapons and sit down. I was like, “huh?” It could have been epic, I don’t know why they played it so subdued.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
Isn’t today Thursday? LOL!
Well of course, (according to my screen name) my vote is for Ned’s execution!!
Sean FanQuote Reply
Viserys’ crowning for me!
The King in the North scene was anticlimactic for me. Whether it was because when I read that scene in the book it was more brilliant and wonderful or because of something else I will never know.
LouisaQuote Reply
Don’t recognize Oona Chaplin from anything…maybe a season two role.
JamboQuote Reply
Ned’s execution without a doubt. Just a killer scene (no pun intended) by all involved.
PeterQuote Reply
Ned’s execution is one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen on TV, and it gets my vote here.
Assassination attempt on Bran was really good drama as well, but the birth of dragons was more “Awesome!” to me than drama :)
Johan SporreQuote Reply
Why do you always make this so hard? I would vote for all of the above, but I went with Ned because of the impact on the non reader audience. Think Larry’s reaction. However I really do love The Golden Crown too, and the Bran/Summer scene.
And the dragons.
OldGranQuote Reply
It’s Thurday, because it’s Farmer’s Market day in town.
OldGranQuote Reply
Probably Charles Chaplin’s granddaughter. She has the name of the wife at least (Oona O´Neil, Eugene O´Neill´s daughter).
Geraldine Chaplin´s daughter.
andreaQuote Reply
andrea,
I think you’re right. If so, here’s her CV http://www.troikatalent.com/clients/printpdf/conor-mccaughan-and-sam-fox/oona-chaplin/ but game of thrones isn’t listed (yet?).
Any idea which role she could play?
ShinyteapotQuote Reply
andrea,
Yeah, it says that in the article I linked – I meant to ask if anyone knew if she had acted in the first season – but it appears she hasn’t based on her CV I linked above, so who do you think she’ll be playing in this coming season?
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
I dithered between Ned and Viserys for some time before voting for A Golden Crown. Why? Because this was the first game-changing event in the show; the bellwether to warn you that no one is truly safe.
KGQuote Reply
something witty,
But last time I checked, you aren’t running this site. Siddown and shaddup.
KGQuote Reply
Consider this a write-in vote for the Dany-eating-the-horse-heart scene.
K26dpQuote Reply
I’m gonna go with the birth of dragons. It was probably my favourite scene of the whole season.
Edit: Looking for forward to the humorous one haha, It’s gotta be Tyrions “confession” or “Shagga likes Axes.”
John-Michael LelievreQuote Reply
I’m also writing in for the horse heart!
maxlongstreetQuote Reply
Jillian, I totally agree. The Rob & Cersei talk scene was, imo, the best dramatic scene.
ColinWQuote Reply
OhDanyBoy,
no, she doesn´t work in season 1. I have no idea… Ygritte? All Chaplins have crooked teeth… her mother is a good actress … if that can be inherited … I can not think of another character right now. We´ll see?
andreaQuote Reply
EdibleBrain,
I voted for King in the North, too, although all the paens to Ned’s head had me second-guessing myself. Thanks for the confirmation!
Also, the line that got your housemate so furious was not in the book. Yet another great addition by D&D.
Yellow DogQuote Reply
Birth of Dragons.
Because after so much drama, injustice and despair, it is so meaningful.
I would put King of the north on second place for the same reason.
Not voting for Ned’s execution because I see it as part of the drama, injustice and despair that was needed to make these 2 scenes for what they are; light at the end of a really dark tunnel, a true relief.
When seen in context; most beautiful scene ever imo.
FancyPantsQuote Reply
Udi,
Yes! Mormont and Jon, leading up to the Watch’s departure under The Wall.
Of all the “setup scenes” of the final espisode, that’s the one that gave me chills, perhaps simply BECAUSE, as a book reader, I knew what they’re heading into.
I’m also waiting for the best funny scenes.
…although, to be honest, there really weren’t very many.
ChrisQuote Reply
Ned’s execution, by a neck.
If I wasn’t such a wanker I would have written this:
AssuntaQuote Reply
Shinyteapot,
OhDanyBoy,
she should probably speak Spanish as a first language. If that can say something about the character she will play? Ah! maybe one of the sandsnakes???? it could be!!! make sense
andreaQuote Reply
Mirax,
Was my first instinct too, thought a little about it, and still decided for it. Neds excecution is shocking, King of the north legendary, and birth of the dragon plain awesome. Though this scene was so dramatic, blood and direwolf action.
stuQuote Reply
I voted for the King of the North.
I am biased towards the Starks, I must say.
I watched the show without skipping a beat and now I am reading the books, and I am in love with them.
I was going to vote for Ned´s beheading, but until this day that scene makes me get pissed at the Lannisters so bad! Not even Tyrion´s awesomeness saves him from my wrath!
Rodrigo AraujoQuote Reply
I’m one of those lamers that only read the books after the season ended, so I had no idea that Ned was really going to die. When that happened I literally sobbed for two hours. It didn’t help that I was completely wasted, but still. That moment went bone deep and I’ll remember it til the day I die.
heybuddywhatsupQuote Reply
andrea,
But when do we first meet the Dornish? They aren’t seen in the books until partway through ASOS, when Oberyn’s party arrives in King’s Landing. Good idea, but probably not the case.
OhDanyBoyQuote Reply
Ned’s execution and the assassination attempt on Bran are great and poignant moments. I would also add the time when Tyrion is apprehended at the King’s Road Inn, though perhaps not as dramatic as the rest on the list, it nonetheless brings a lot or repercussions later on. I really liked the King Of The North moment, which was amplified by that majestic musical theme (“King Of The North”, “Kill Them All” and “Goodbye Brother” tracks on the original score CD or the show).
However I think Danny’s scene at the end of the season was very powerful, awe inspiring, intimidading and majestic all at the same time, as well as the perferct send-off to Season One and the right set-up to Season Two. So that is what I voted for…
Besides, the fact that Emilia Clarke is so achingly beautiful, and a spot on Danny, only added to the power of the scene…
loco73Quote Reply
For me it was Ned’s execution in first place, it made me very sad and very mad at once. I would have to go with Bran’s assassination attempt in 2nd place, I felt real fear and a sense of urgency for Catelyn in that scene (it seemed very realistic).
David The GreyQuote Reply
Would the betrayal of Littlefinger’s qualify in this category, or is there a “most shocking turn of event” or something.
I was really blown away by it (I hadn’t catch up to this part in the book at that time… seems far away when I’m going to start Feast now!), and “I did warn you not to trust me.” with Gillen’s grin is my favorite quote/shot of the whole season.
That said, while Ned’s execution was striking, largely thanks to Arya/Yoren, I have to give some love to “The King in the North”, I felt this scene was a lot more empowering than Dany’s tbh, and the actor playing the Greatjon did an awesome job!
Jean-RalphioQuote Reply
From Arya’s innocent, curious run up the alley and into the crowd, to the humiliating “perp walk” of Ned’s, to his horror at first seeing her in the crowd, to that brilliant whispered rescue (“Baelor!”), to the changing tide of emotions on Sansa’s face, and the confused, panicky chaos on the dais, to Arya climbing the statue and frantically looking for someone to save the day, to her reckless decision to storm the platform with nothing but her sense of righteousness and Needle, to the Black saving her from her recklessness and the impending visual horror, to Ned’s shocked realization that he really was about to die, to his last second satisfaction that Arya was safe, to his Zen-like moment of acceptance, and that genius silent edit, to the final sounds of the sword coming down and the birds being released, no other single scene packed so much drama into so few moments.
It was also the scene that infuriated my non-reader friends the most and secured them as permanent fans all at the same time. So, yeah, this is one poll that was a no-brainer for me.
PatDQuote Reply
I voted for “King in the North”, but… damn’it, they are all amazing (and many others are not in the list)…
Can’t wait for season 2…
Season one will be aired here in Italy too in Autumn: I hope the translation will be good enough…
riendoQuote Reply
Without doubt it was Ned’s execution for me. Even knowing what was going to happen, I could feel the anxiety growing as the scene went on. The clincher for me was actually the sound editing – the way the world went muted for a few seconds as Arya looked up at the sky – that is EXACTLY the way the world sounded to me when I found out my father had died.
A far away second would be the Night’s Watch riding beyond the wall and the Old Bear’s speech.
Willum’s WifeQuote Reply
PatD,
fabulous description!!!
purplejillyQuote Reply
For me the birth of the dragons was the most dramatic scene because it’s some sort of emotional redeeming or something… a positive turn of events after all those sad things. The king in the North should have been that as well I guess but somehow this scene never really worked for (not in the books and not in the series). For me the birth of the dragons was a trigger to set loose all my previous stockpiled emotions, or something like that.
Ned’s execution was very dramatic as well but… Uhhh welll…. I have actually no idea what to say after ‘but’ XD It’s just a feeling I guess.
LiesieQuote Reply
Viserys gets crowned wins it for me. The way Dany just STOOD there, academically interested in her brother’s horrific death, is chilling… Also I liked that he died with epic irony, and the metallic clunk when he hit the ground. I felt ‘in the room’.
Yes, Ned’s beheading was dramatic, but was more of a cut-scene than a complete scene, if that makes any sense. (recognizing the irony of that sentence lol)
Franny BeeQuote Reply
You made me wonder, what do you think would’ve happened if Arya /had/ stormed Baelor’s steps? The delay/distraction could’ve changed everything…
Franny BeeQuote Reply
I voted for Ned. I had no idea it was coming! (I’m also one of the fans who didn’t read the books until after the series. Thank you HBO!) That scene made me sit up in the bed and cry like a baby. I was still shaken for a few days after that episode.
MommaQuote Reply
IMHO, the most dramatic scenes are those that are central to the grand plot of the story. Viserys golden crown was visually and emotionally jarring, but his whole character was no more than a device to develop Danaerys, who transcended not only the innocence of childhood but also the extreme misogeny of House Targaryen. Similarly, Bran’s fall and Robb’s elevation to King in the North are equally jarring and surprising twists of fate, but their dramatic impact only becomes evident in books 2 and 3.
By comparison, Ned’s needless, criminal beheading in the final scene of season 1′s penultimate episode was juxtaposed with his own mechanical application of the law beginning with the second scene of the first, thus terminating the backbone story arc of AGOT. Ned was a soldier whose actions were dictated by a profound belief in legal and moral obligations that left him at the mercy of the corrupting influence that excessive wealth and raw military power had already had over his antagonists. With him died not just a great man but the moral compass of a great civilization, an event made all the more poignant by his false confession of treason to save his daughter Sansa’s life. There are no other Neds, only him.
Then again, the orderly but fiery process of giving magical birth to Dany’s dragons in the final scene of the last episode provided a powerful counterpoint to the terrifying, chaotic events of the season’s cold, icy open. In both cases, brief aerial shots of hermetically inspired symbology on the ground visually and semantically relate to the series’ logo as well as the gimbal and cogs in the opening credits.
How – or rather, why – did Gared escape the White Walker’s swift gait and blade? Was Danaerys’ decision to be part of the funeral pyre really her own? This larger conflict between karma and the exercise of free will in the human condition is an intellectual undercurrent that will surely remain central to the actions of the series’ rulers and their subjects, whatever the current permutation.
Which drama, then, reigns supreme: the poignant or the philosophical? To my mind, each amplifies the other. However, if I really have to choose, I’ll go with the
boobiesbabies.Nagga’s KinQuote Reply
Any vote besides Ned’s execution is a wrong vote.
RobTheGoodQuote Reply
Well, although the king in the north scene on the book seems much better, and all actors but Greatjon weren’t that GOOD (taking in mind the rest of the season) i still have to vote for it. Umber speech still gives me tha shivers everytime i watch it :D.
TarjekQuote Reply
I couldn’t decide between Viserys and his shiny hat, Ned not ever needing a hat and Drogo telling his wife about his intentions to rape a lot of other women.
The latter should be in the poll, but ain’t. I’ll vote for one of the other two when I decide which I prefer.
GaRQuote Reply
Untrue; Ned’s execution is part of the context of both ‘Birth of Dragons’ and ‘King of the North’, so voting for one of these is voting for Ned’s execution also, while looking at the bigger picture.
*edit* don’t mean to say other votes then these are ‘wrong votes’ btw, just my view on it.
FancyPantsQuote Reply
shouldn’t this preselection be called “most dramatic plot twist” ?
i mean for example the talk between cersei and robert was one of the best dramatic scenes to me…
KaldorQuote Reply
true. not because it has the biggest impact on the plot, but because it just was delivered in the most dramatic and most authentic way.
KaldorQuote Reply
EXECUTION! (sidebar: not on the list, but I also love when Gregor slices his horse’s head off; AWESOME)
Like some of ya’ll, I didn’t start reading the books until after watching the series, so I was all “OMGWTF” when they killed Ned. At first I found the sequence a little cliche, especially with the release of the birds at the end. I thought, “LAME! Generic, melodramatic bird shot.” But then I realized the birds were ravens (dark wings, dark words) all off to inform Westeros of Ned’s death before his head even hits the sept steps. Because the pieces being moved by the players is more important than a man’s life. GENIUS! Then I felt dumb. And now I will always tell myself to shut up before I start questioning the brilliance of the GoT team.
(also, I’m very excited to finally be commenting on this site!)
wildlin outQuote Reply
Dude, you blew my mind. AWESOME.
ps: welcome :)
Franny BeeQuote Reply
There are no other scenes in the show that came close to the beheading. No one’s suggesting other scenes mean less to the show as a whole.
Technically, the show uses more aggressive angles (roaming cameras, for example). Visually, colours contrast makes the court flush. The pacing and editing (for once) didn’t feel rushed and sloppy, and of course it’s the moment.
It was pulled off beautifully.
RobTheGoodQuote Reply
Much as I loved the birth of dragons, I had to go with Ned’s execution. Everything about it was perfect.
EmmaQuote Reply
Believe it or not, my most dramatic scene didn’t make the cut. Cersei and Robert’s one (perhaps only ever) frank discussion about their marriage has no shock, but the tension and almost heartrending dispair between this mismatched couple was for me, brillant in terms of drama AND adding context to the inner workings of the attitudes of the royal family.
That said, I voted for Ned’s execution largely b/c a) my naked sympathy for the Starks and b) the way the scene was shot to build and add gravity. That scene is pitch perfect and turned out better than I had originally imagined when I first read the novel.
Lanister accountantQuote Reply
Info. on the Internet Movie Data Base…….
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2772105/bio
Oona Chaplin
Date of Birth
1986
Height
5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
Trivia
She is the granddaughter of Charles Chaplin and Oona Chaplin.
She is the daughter of Geraldine Chaplin and Patricio Castilla.
She is the great-granddaughter of Eugene O’Neill.
She is the great-great-granddaughter of James O’Neill.
She graduated in 2007 from prestigious London acting school Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA).
Sean FanQuote Reply
Very similar story minus the crying for 2 hours part :) Watched the show then had to go to sleep immediately afterwards because of work the next morning. Needless to say, i was in a daze the entire day going wtf..
Never Forget…
Chris ZilliQuote Reply
OhDanyBoy,
Probably not, I suck at this thing.
andreaQuote Reply
Phil,
Maisie Williams definitely made those scenes brilliant. Not forgetting Sean Bean and the entire enactment of the execution. Ned’s execution easily stands as the most memorable scene of the season for me. Brings tears to my eyes all over again just thinking about it! In contrast, the birth of the dragons scene just felt like something to be expected and no more. Well, one good thing to say about it …the CGI dragons.
LiadanQuote Reply
Can we have a category called ‘Best Monologue’? I really need that scene where Drogo promises to take Westeros for his son to get some kind of award.
Cat of the CanalsQuote Reply
Put me in the “Non-Reader, going with Ned by a mile, felt like I was punched in the stomach when the scene was over.” Just finished book one and felt the show was much better than the book for this scene actually, but much more so that I didn’t know what was coming. In terms of the list, kind of hard to come up with 5 dramatic scenes and not have one that includes Tyrion. The Lannister strategy session where he stands up to his father? Any of his scenes with Jon Snow? The scene in the Ayre?
Side note: Just started reading book 2 and think I’m going to try to stop, because the plot knowledge might make the show just a little less fantastic. Although it’s not the easiest thing to put down. :)
ChrisQuote Reply
Chris,
I’m sure you’ll find the experience of reading the book much more fantastic than actually watching the show first. I felt quite the opposite, and I’m continuing reading book 2, always wanting more and be able to criticize the series later. :) Well, that’s your choice ;)
Igor VelosoQuote Reply
Franny Bee,
The push wasn’t an assasination attempt. It was not premeditated.
OliveQuote Reply
Maybe you should question them again, though, because Neds death was not planned. At least not be Cersei and the council. Joffrey just did it and surprised everyone (?) At the very least most people.
sjweningsQuote Reply
Wow. Which to choose? So many missing as well.
I ended up going with the Bran assasination attempt. Cleverly worded to allow for both the push and the knife.
The push scene was the initial “clincher” for fans in both the books and the show.
Bran out the window is one of the most captivatingly dramatic moments in literary and dramatic history.
Followed closely by RW.
What a story.What a world.What a great first three books.4&5 somewhat lacking.IMHO.
WallwalkerQuote Reply
Ned’s final scene is the most chilling moment in the entire season for me. If it weren’t for the change with Arya that made it even more dramatic than the book I’d probably pick the dragons.
Viserys’ crowning & the birth of the dragons did not live up to what I imagined from the books – very good, but I think they could have been done better in some small ways.
IcebirdQuote Reply
I’d also like to say I was disappointed in the omission of Maise on the other list.
What a brilliant casting decision!
My favorite moments were the ones with Ned and Arya.
Those scenes with Sean and Maise were pure gold.
WallwalkerQuote Reply
Birth of the Dragons! Watched it a dusin times allready, goosebumps every time.
BTW, when can we see the results of the polls?
MariusQuote Reply
This one is tough for me. I really think they did a great job with Eddard’s demise (better than I could have ever imagined). But… and “but” is the key word… the “crowning” of Vicerys really took my breath away. Harry Lloyd did such an excellent job in character, I almost felt sorry for him.
JustinQuote Reply
The king in the North scene and Ned’s death. Those two are top stuff. Ow, and btw… The guy you have listed as Rickard Karstark apparently isn’t Vincent McCabe. This is Vincent McCabe, and he’s one of the Lannister bannermen.
PepiQuote Reply
King in the North! Damn, that sent shivers down my spine. Daamn. Though Ned’s execution scene was brilliant, too. Reminded me a bit of the Tudors though, that’s why I picked “THE KING IN THE NORTH!” *_*
WildlingQuote Reply
Not a fan of these nominations
Ser PounceQuote Reply
All extremely dramatic scenes, but for me – one with no prior knowledge of what’s about to happen – Ned’s death was by far the the strongest one. I spent next half an hour staring at the blank screen, trying to gather up my jaw from the floor and to grasp how the hall that was even possible, not sure if my eyes hadn’t tricked me somehow.
QQuote Reply
I didn’t feel like they’ve done the King in the North scene justice. I really thought it was an epic scene in the book, but it was too short and confusing to be epic enough (besides, they put it in the early part of the episode, so it lost some of it’s significance for me).
I’d have to go with Ned’s execution.
orkoQuote Reply
Pepi,
I was surprised by the WiC cast listing too, because when the ep aired I made a search about Karstark and Maege’s players and came up with nothing; I did notice McCabe was too old for Karstark. I really wish I knew more about them, no matter if they are just extras and won’t return for S2. Maege in particular was so perfect, I wish I knew the name of the actress.
Ser Pounce,
indeed the range of choice was rather small. Together with scenes that other mentioned, I’d say that Barristan’s departure would earn a place among the “most dramatic moment.” But then again there are so many, it was a spectacular season.
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
They were pigeons not Ravens.
And as said Ned’s death wasn’t planned so messages going out so soon does not make sense.
MormegilQuote Reply
Definately Ned, the shockwaves this scene sent were incredible and it will be the event remembered for Season 1 if not the entire series
flipthetruckQuote Reply
Blackfish Blues,
On westeros.org they say it was Steve Blount playing lord Karstark. And judging by this, it was him indeed.
EDIT: lol… and judging by the wiki page, this is actually a well known fact these days:
http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Rickard_Karstark
PepiQuote Reply
Several of these are the biggest scenes in the series, so I don’t get people being like, “These nominations suck.” It feels like hipster angst, hating on these nominations because they’re too popular.
Not to say that there aren’t some other brilliant scenes like Mormont’s speech to Jon, Drogo’s declaration of war, etc. But really.
Steve the PirateQuote Reply
As GRRMs Not-a-blog, this is Not-a-poll. Give the prize to Ned already! :)
SidQuote Reply
I agree with this. The scenes between Sean Bean and Maisie Williams had such perfect chemistry. It really felt like they had this special little friendship. When reading AGOT, I always got the sense that Arya was Ned’s favorite child. Not that he doesn’t love his others (clearly, he does, considering what he does for Sansa), but I think his undying love for Lyanna burns on through his love for Arya. They just seem to understand and appreciate each other. And they captured that REALLY well in the show. It also seemed like Ned and Arya were privy to some secret little joke, or had this mutual understanding of what the other was going through. (LOVE the scene where they smirk at each other during Sansa’s whiny Joffrey speech).
So what I wrote above is one of the main reasons I voted for Ned’s execution scene. To the very end, Ned and Arya had a connection in the show. The “Baelor” whisper and their eye contact was one of the best additions to the story, in my opinion. A very small but powerful concession to Ned before he dies. :(
LinaQuote Reply
Tough call, Ned’s execution was just pipped to the post by the dragons. I sobbed hysterically after the former (way more evocative than in the book) but I re-watched the dragon birthing scene over and over and over and over again. The screech at the end is bloody brilliant.
dimensionallytQuote Reply
Pepi,
Thanks! One mystery is solved. I hope Steve Blount returns for S2; he has a terrific CV and I’d love to see him… er… interact with Robb.
Now I just need to solve the Maege Mystery…
Blackfish BluesQuote Reply
I refuse to vote. It is my right.
Wow, good stock in the blood (Eugene O´Neill & Charlie Chaplin)
Okay I changed my mind… And the best dramatic scene goes to: Littlefinger Sexposition. Sexy!
Epic the AnarchistQuote Reply
One more note on Ned’s execution: in the interview with Mo Ryan, GRRM singled out the “Baelor” bit as an addition he really liked, and said “I wish I had thought of it.” It’s a small touch, but it really did add to the scene.
Tom HiltonQuote Reply
Toss up between Ned’s execution and the dragons. Did an eenie meenie minie mo job on it and ended up with the dragons.
BroQuote Reply
AH! Such a hard decision.
BrianQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
1) Tywin, jaimie and the beast
2) Catelyn and tyrion in the tavern
each time, the true meaning of what is POWER !
LolaQuote Reply
Its Ned.
First appearance of Rhaegal, Viserion & Drogon is the closest second ever, but dragons are not what sets this story apart. Ned is.
So much other awesomeness, but off the top:
(In no particular order)
Viserys & Jorah.
Sansa & Joff.
Viserys & Dany.
Tyrion & Jon.
Robert & Cersei.
Robert death.
Drogo speech.
Drogo death.
Fucking direwolves.
Fucking horseheart.
Fucking stag skinning.
Cat & Jon.
Jaime & Cersei.
Ned & Cersei.
Sam’s story.
Ser Alliser’s story.
Littlefinger & Varys.
Tyrion & Jon.
Tyrion’s story. (Eyrie)
Tyrion & Bronn.
Tyrion & Shagga.
Tyrion’s story. (Tysha)
Cat’s accusation.
Ned & Jon goodbye.
Robb & Jon goodbye.
Arya & Jon goodbye.
Ned & Cat goodbye.
Ned & Arya. (sans goodbye)
Hmm, this show is quite fucking great.
the goatQuote Reply
Holy shit, just watching “The Wolf and the Lion” again, how could I forget my fave multi-actor scene:
Small council, Ned quits.
“She dies.”
“I will have no part in it.”
“You’re the King’s Hand, Lord Stark. You will do as I command or I’ll find a Hand who will.”
“And good luck to him.”
Also:
Lady’s “trial.”
Sansa’s “confession.”
Tyrion & Cat meet Lord Robin.
Ned attaints the Mountain.
the goatQuote Reply
They killed my n**** Ned!!!
aldeQuote Reply
That would be Drogo’s death. Both in the book and in the show, I had tears in my eyes when that scene unrolled. Ned’s death, well… that’s terrible for Arya who’s present, but I felt much more related to Daenaerys loosing the husband she’d learned to love…
PluiehivernaleQuote Reply
How can I see the results ffs?
SingQuote Reply
In both – book and show – was King in the North. So perfect, but Robb face was priceless. He’s damn gorgeous. Superficially me, I’d pick any scene with Richard Madden as my favourite, no matter what he did in it. Too bad Martin didn’t write from his POV aswell. :”(
KaterinaQuote Reply