If you know me, you’d know that I love the world of Game of Thrones. Whether it’s the original HBO series or a spinoff that's captured my heart, I always love diving into this fantasy world of politics, dragons, and more.
So, in honor of my recent rewatch, I've put together a list of the 10 best episodes from the Game of Thrones universe, including Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Let's get the list started with the Game of Thrones episode that shocked the world, "The Rains of Castamere."
“The Rains of Castamere”
- Game of Thrones season 3 episode 9
I don’t think I can have a list like this without mentioning “The Rains of Castamere.” I think anyone who thinks of Game of Thrones often thinks of this episode, because it defines so much of what this series is — politics, heartbreak, and utter drama. The episode is the infamous Red Wedding episode. The key scene happens because Robb Stark breaks his marriage pact to one of Lord Frey's daughters, and he, as well as several others, is betrayed and killed because of it.
The Red Wedding is one moment in the show that everyone still talks about, and you can’t beat it for the utter chaos and the depression that follows as major characters are taken off the board. It's the first time in the series that we really saw so many characters die, and it's all because of one character's poor decision. The Red Wedding truly set off a crazy sequence of events that led to many people getting killed, as well.
“In the Name of the Mother”
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 episode 5
When we were introduced to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, I think we were all a bit annoyed that we would only get six episodes. Thankfully, season 2 is coming soon, but those first six episodes were fantastic television. One episode, the penultimate episode of the season that stands out among the rest is, of course, “In the Name of the Mother.”
Nothing hit quite like watching Ser Duncan (Peter Claffey) fight to the bitter end, only for his victory to feel hollow when the episode ended with a heartbreaking death. The trial basically begins because Ser Duncan must fight to keep his life after he brutally hurt one of the Targaryen princes for assaulting a performer, and the entire fight scene features not only flashbacks to his past but also moments where he fights through sheer resilience in order to stay alive. It’s brilliantly done.
“The Laws of God and Men”
- Game of Thrones season 4 episode 6
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) had his fair share of iconic episodes throughout the series, and one of his best is “The Laws of God and Men,” where he is on trial for the murder of his nephew, Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). He is adamant he didn't do it, but with all the evidence against him, he gives an impassioned speech about letting the gods decide his fate and demands a trial by combat.
I mean, it’s an incredible scene that makes this episode even more memorable. Peter Dinklage's acting takes the cake, though, because I truly can't imagine anyone else pulling it off as well as he does. He shows the pain, frustration, and rage of what is happening in his life, and you just want to root for him after everything he's gone through, but you know it's all going to go downhill.
“Battle of the Bastards”
- Game of Thrones season 6 episode 9
If there’s one thing I hope the books keep when/if The Winds of Winter ever releases, it’s “Battle of the Bastards” and the whole sequence that leads up to the great battle in the North.
The battle happens because Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is looking to reclaim Winterfell for the Starks after Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) and the rest of the Boltons took it over. He's also hoping to save one of his surviving siblings from there, but eventually, it leads to an all-out battle.
Plenty of battle scenes came after this in the show, but none made me feel the way this one does, watching Jon and his smaller army take on Ramsay and his much larger one. It’s endless. It feels like there is never a moment when someone isn't physically fighting or facing someone terrifying. But then the ending comes around, and it makes all the pain and suffering worth it, especially when we see the forces of the Vale appear.
“The Red Dragon and the Gold”
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4
I’ll never quite forgive House of the Dragon for killing off one of my favorite characters in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an incredible episode. While House of the Dragon season 3 had its most ambitious dragon scene yet, this one, where three dragons were involved in a major battle and so many died, was incredible.
The battle was part of the ongoing Dance of the Dragons civil war and led to a victory for Team Green, but at a high cost, with many injuries and deaths. The TV adaptation genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat until the bitter end and also made me want to literally retire from the House of the Dragon community when so many people I cared for died. But I came back again, of course. I can't get enough of my dragons.
5. “The Winds of Winter”
- Game of Thrones season 6 episode 9
To me, “The Winds of Winter” feels like the last canon episode of Game of Thrones. Seasons 7 and 8 were fun, but they didn't feel the same. This episode, however, summed up so much without saying much.
The Sept of Baelor exploded, and Cersei (Lena Headey) took the throne. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) was finally on her way to Westeros. Jon was King of the North, and we just found out who his parents were. I mean, there were just so many instances that made this episode utterly fantastic. I wish we could redo the last two seasons to expand on them further.
The best part, really, was the Sept of Baelor's explosion. It felt as if we were there, feeling the wild flames of green fire that took out so many people, including a leading contender for the throne. Well done, Cersei. Well done.
“Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood”
- House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1
House of the Dragon returned with an epic season 3 premiere, “Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood,” which adapted the famous Battle of the Gullet from Fire & Blood. And I must admit, it’s the best premiere episode of all three shows so far. The battle unfolds as another clash between Team Green and Team Black, as soldiers brought from overseas begin an intense battle on the water.
This is how you start a season — battles that end in heartbreak and sequences that truly knock it out of the park from beginning to end. I’m still reeling months later from the sad death of Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and how it was essentially the beginning of Rhaenyra's downfall in season 3. May he rest in peace.
“Hardhome”
- Game of Thrones season 5 episode 8
Before Game of Thrones season 6, I was obsessed with “Hardhome.” It was the first time we really saw how terrifying the White Walkers were and how much of a threat they had become. The Night's Watch traveled to Hardhome to bring more Freefolk beyond the Wall to fight the White Walkers and save the realm. But during this instance, they ran into the whole army and had to fight their way out to survive in some manner, leading to thousands of people dying — and joining the army of the dead.
We had seen them a few times throughout the series, but this was the first full-on battle, where Jon and everyone else had to fight to somehow make it back alive with half their forces. And that last moment, when the Night King raises the dead, is a famous scene that defines Game of Thrones as a fantasy series. Utterly epic.
“The Lord of the Tides”
- House of the Dragon season 1 episode 8
In terms of House of the Dragon season rankings, season 1 is still the best because it marked the beginning of the downfall. And this episode, “The Lord of the Tides,” was special because it’s the last time we see Viserys (Paddy Considine) on the throne. He had been suffering for so long due to an infection that had spread throughout his body. We didn't think we'd ever see him sit on the throne again.
He was broken, bruised, and dying, with a mask covering his decaying face, but he still found it in him to hobble to the throne, stand for his daughter, and keep proclaiming her the rightful heir when everyone else was going against it. We love a supportive and loving dad, even if he made mistakes. And it makes all the war and pain and deceit that occurred after his death, shortly after this, even more heartbreaking.
“The Treasons at Tumbleton”
- House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8
I must admit that “The Treasons of Tumbleton” is one of my favorite episodes because so much happens in that hour. It’s the catalyst for everything that will happen in season 4 of House of the Dragon. The battle that happens there itself, with Daemon (Matt Smith) fighting with other dragon riders in order to stop the seizing of the city, is interesting, but it's everything that happens aside from that which makes it great.
Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) is basically turning fully cruel in her rule, and we see her shout her prophecy to the kingdom itself, which is a big no-no. Helaena (Phia Saban) throws herself from her window after suffering a prisoner in her own home. And then Rhaenyra finds Helaena's tapestry, which predicts so much death. Everything here blends so well and delivers the right amount of hype for season 4, making me want to watch it right now. But sadly, I'll have to wait for a couple of years.
You can stream all of these shows on HBO Max right now.
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