The first season of Game of Thrones premiered 15 years ago this month, kicking off one of the biggest television shows of all time. HBO's big-budget adaptation of George R.R. Martin's fantasy novels seemed like a rather big risk at the time, especially after the disastrous first pilot episode was shown. However, concerns were soon tempered when the first season delivered a tremendous start to the story that hooked fans immediately.
From bringing audiences into the massive scope of the world to introducing them to the various characters they would come to love (some more briefly than others), Game of Thrones season 1 was filled with memorable moments. Looking back on the epic series, there are some moments that let us know how special this show would be right from the start.
1. The White Walkers return
Game of Thrones knew how to grab the audience right from the beginning and set up this fantasy world in a thrilling way. The first scene in the show follows three members of the Night's Watch who venture beyond the Wall to investigate reports of Wildlings. Instead, they find a much more serious threat.
It was a little risky to start the series with the introduction of the White Walkers, but this first scene is undeniably intense and appropriately creepy. From these mysterious threats lurking in the frozen forest to the massive reveal of The Wall, Game of Thrones throws audiences into this wild story immediately.
2. Jaime pushes Bran out the window
Though Bran Stark would become the surprise king in the Game of Thrones finale, he started the story off as a young boy with an enthusiasm for climbing. While his parents worried that he would fall, this habit proved dangerous for an even more shocking reason. Bran accidentally stumbled upon Jaime Lannister having a romantic moment with his sister, Cersei, the queen of Westeros.
That relationship alone was shocking and disturbing. However, the scene escalated even more as Jaime sought to hide their secret by pushing Bran out of a window. It was a brutal way for the first episode of the show to end, and it proved that Game of Thrones would pull no punches.
3. Tyrion slaps Joffrey
It didn't take Prince Joffrey long to become the most hated character in Game of Thrones, nor did it take Tyrion Lannister long to become a fan-favorite. As it turns out, they both cemented their respective reputations in one memorable scene. Following Bran's "fall," Joffrey acts like an entitled and cold-hearted little monster, and he gets a hard slap in the face from his uncle in return.
It is a cheer-worthy moment as Tyrion hits the obnoxious young prince with no hesitation. Even better, when Joffrey whines about how Tyrion cannot do that, Tyrion hits him again, even harder. Tyrion's family may not respect him, but he is also not afraid to stand up to them.
4. Summer saves Bran
The introduction of the direwolves in the first episode of Game of Thrones was another tease of the fantasy elements that would gradually build throughout the series. However, these massive wolves don't get to show off their protective qualities until a little later in the season.
As Bran is recovering from his fall, an assassin comes to finish the job. However, the would-be murderer wasn't counting on Bran's direwolf, Summer, being there. Summer brutally attacks and kills the man before lying next to Bran on the bed. It is a thrilling moment that shows the Stark children have some fierce bodyguards as well as loyal pets.
5. The Mountain beheads a horse
Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. The Mountain, became one of the most terrifying characters in Game of Thrones by the end of the series. While his brutal acts would only increase in future seasons, the first season did a great job of showing just how powerful and intimidating he was, especially when upset.
After losing a joust, the Mountain blames his horse and proceeds to decapitate the animal with a single swing of his sword. The strength required to do such a thing is scary enough, but it is even more concerning that such a small bit of bad luck could spur The Mountain into such a bloodthirsty frenzy. It quickly made him a character to fear whenever he was on the screen.
6. Jaime vs Ned
Game of Thrones season 1 was still relatively small-scale compared to what was to come later. So while there were no huge battles, we did get a solid swordfight between two key characters. After establishing their shared bad blood throughout the first season, Jaime Lannister and Ned Stark finally come to blows.
It is a tense scene, as Jamie has been touted as one of the great warriors in Westeros, while Ned is a reluctant fighter. However, there is a great moment when they are clashing when a glimpse of doubt or even fear crosses Jaime's face as he realizes Ned is more of a match for him than he expected.
7. Tyrion makes a confession
Tyrion solidified himself as one of the smartest characters early on in the series, but he also proved to be one of the funniest in season 1. After being captured by Catelyn Stark and held prisoner at the Eyrie, Tyrion decides to confess. However, instead of confessing to murdering Jon Arryn, he goes on a hilarious monologue about all the childish and vulgar deeds he committed over the years.
It remains one of the funniest moments in the entire series, as well as a defining moment for Tyrion. Even when facing death, he is not willing to let his captors get any satisfaction and makes a mockery of their court. It also starts a great recurring gag in the series with Tyrion's unfinished joke about bringing a donkey into a brothel.
8. Ned learns the truth
Ned Stark may not be the smartest protagonist on television, but he was able to figure out a central mystery in season 1. After discovering that Robert Baratheon had fathered several illegitimate children with dark brown hair, Ned finally realizes something about Robert's supposed heirs.
Looking at the long lineage of Baratheons, Ned comes to the realization that Joffrey and his siblings are the only ones with blonde hair. With that simple detail, Ned finds himself in a dangerous conspiracy with the Iron Throne hanging in the balance.
9. Viserys gets a "golden crown"
Along with Joffrey, Viserys Targaryen was one of the most detestable characters in Game of Thrones season 1. He was an arrogant young man who thought he was owed the Iron Throne, but failed to realize that no one wanted to see him on it. Nevertheless, he sells his sister, Daenerys, to Khal Drogo in exchange for his army.
The deal backfires on Viserys when Daenerys and Drogo actually fall in love and she is taken in by the Dothraki. When Viserys decides to threaten Daenerys in the sacred city of Vaes Dothrak, he get one of the most memorable deaths in the series. Drogo melts down various gold treasures and pours the molten metal over Viserys' head, giving him the crown he always wanted.
10. Littlefinger betrays Ned
Ned Stark's arc in the first season of Game of Thrones still packs a punch all these years later, for how devastating it is. He was a good and honorable man who wanted to serve the realm with justice. However, he learned too late that King's Landing is not the kind of place where those sentiments are shared by others.
Ned's reluctant plan to seize the Iron Thrones after the death of Robert Baratheon might have seemed well thought out, but he made the mistake of putting his trust in Littlefinger. With a dagger to Ned's throat, Littlefinger's taunt that he warned him not to trust him spells the end for Ned and proves that he was too good a man to survive in a place like the Red Keep.
11. Khal Drogo's unexpected demise
Long before stepping into the world of action franchises and comic book movies, Jason Momoa had a standout role as Khal Drogo, the powerful Dothraki lord who marries Daenerys Targaryen. Known as one of the most fearsome warriors in Essos, Drogo's decision to help Daenerys win the Iron Throne is a game-changer moment.
However, fans got an early lesson in how the show likes to tease them as the promise of Drogo waging war on Westeros would never come to be. Instead, this formidable warlord dies before the end of the first season from an infected wound, shockingly removing one of the most exciting characters from the story.
12. Syrio Forel defends Arya
Syrio Forel remains one of the great characters whose time on the series was very brief. The "dancing master" was a skilled swordsman recruited by Ned Stark to teach Arya how to fight. Along with those lessons, he also taught her a valuable lesson when death comes looking for her, to simply say, "Not today."
After Ned is arrested, the Lannister goons come looking to take Arya captive. However, despite only being armed with a wooden sword, Syrio is able to fight them off, giving Arya time to flee. It is a heroic moment from a character who has gotten somewhat lost in the legacy of Game of Thrones, but has endeared himself to many fans.
13. Ned Stark is executed
Sean Bean had been marketed as the lead of Game of Thrones from the beginning, and he was certainly the biggest name in the cast. Killing him off before the end of the first season made for one of the biggest shocks in television history and reshaped the audience's perception of who was safe.
The entire scene plays out with brilliant tension, and Bean gives a wonderful performance as a man resigned to his fate. It was a huge risk to kill off such a pivotal and popular character so early in the story, but it immediately made Game of Thrones a must-watch series.
14. Robb Stark is named King in the North
Following the death of Ned Stark, fans began to realize that the story was more about his children than the heroic protagonist. This began to take shape in the season 1 finale when Robb Stark continues to lead a campaign against the Lannisters, with the entire Northern army following him.
After a surprise victory against Jaime Lannister, Robb gains the respect of his fellow lords, who name him King in the North. It is a bittersweet moment where Ned's teenage son became a king in his quest to avenge his father. However, looking back, it is also a tragic moment, as it sets Robb on the same path as his father.
15. Daenerys Targaryen's dragons are born
Throughout the first season of Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen gradually began to grow from a timid young woman into someone who could inspire those around her. The final image of the season announced her as one of the most important figures in this fight for the Iron Throne as she managed to hatch three dragon eggs.
It is a triumphant moment and a perfect, exciting way to end the season, ensuring that viewers will be eagerly waiting to see what comes next. With dragons now back in the world, it was a whole new story, and Daenerys was elevated to a tremendous place of power.
We’re celebrating the 15th anniversary of Game of Thrones all month long! Keep up with us at Winter Is Coming for retrospectives, hot takes, analysis, and more.