Among the many epic moments on Game of Thrones, there are still some special ones that made the show what it is. The epic HBO series first aired 15 years ago, and it grew into a television phenomenon, redefining what could be done on the small screen. Even with several Game of Thrones spinoffs now on the air, the series stands on its own as a major achievement.
Though some were not happy with the way Game of Thrones ended, there are key moments that have cemented themselves as pivotal in the show's run. From the shocking deaths to the massive battles to the controversial decisions, these are the moments that fans will always remember when they think of Game of Thrones.
1. Ned Stark is executed
Everyone went into season 1 of Game of Thrones assuming Sean Bean's Ned Stark was the main character. The show used that to deliver one of the most stunning twists in television history when Ned is executed before the first season is over.
The moment cemented the idea that no one was safe on Game of Thrones while also igniting the popular internet joke that Bean dies in everything. It also served as a defining moment in the show's narrative, as it spoke to how honor and justice are not things that you will find in this story.
2. Daenerys' dragons are born
It is easy to forget that there was a time in Game of Thrones when the supernatural elements were not yet a part of the story. The show begins during a period in Westeros when all the dragons were extinct, and magic had left the world. However, that changed when Daenerys Targaryen stepped into a raging fire with her three dragon eggs.
Not only did Daenerys emerge from the inferno unscathed, but she also carried three newborn dragons with her. It was a game-changing moment for the series that brought it beyond a swords-and-shields story and set it on the path of becoming a true fantasy epic.
3. Tyrion blows up Stannis Baratheon's fleet
Looking back on the first seasons of Game of Thrones, the show was quite small in scale compared to the blockbuster size it would grow into. However, season 2 managed to deliver one of the biggest battle sequences in television history, while also giving us an epic moment that still stands out.
Though Tyrion Lannister was dismissed by many, he proves that a sharp mind is what is needed to win wars. As Stannis Baratheon's fleet approaches King's Landing, Tyrion ignites a single ship filled with wildfire, setting off a spectacular green explosion that destroys most of the fleet and makes Tyrion a hero.
4. The Red Wedding
When Ned Stark was killed, many fans put their hopes on Robb Stark being the one who would get revenge for his father. Indeed, he was a stoic hero whose war against the Lannisters was proving quite successful. However, the Red Wedding showed fans that Game of Thrones was not going to give them easy victories.
Despite being surrounded by supposed allies, Robb and his mother, Catelyn Stark, are horribly betrayed. The Freys and Boltons brutally murder them alongside their army and even Robb's direwolf, Grey Wind. The fact that young Arya Stark is moments from reuniting with her family makes it even more tragic. It still remains one of the biggest gut-punches ever shown on television.
5. Joffrey's death
While one Game of Thrones wedding left fans devastated, another left them elated. After being the most despicable and easy-to-hate villain for three seasons, Joffrey Baratheon finally gets his comeuppance early in season 4 of the show. And at his own wedding, no less.
The scene unfolds with terrific tension, and the conflict between Joffrey and Tyrion gradually builds. However, when Joffrey begins to choke, it takes a totally unexpected turn and builds to a horrendous death for a hated character. It was a shocking way to take out the main villain of the show, but it certainly made fans happy.
6. The Mountain vs. The Viper
While Tyrion's epic trial speech deserves mention for a defining moment in that character's arc, the actual trial by combat is the true show-stopping moment. With Tyrion's life on the line, we get a showdown between dashing Oberyn Martell and the imposing Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane.
Oberyn puts on quite a show and becomes even more likable as a swashbuckling new character. However, his arrogance gets the better of him just as victory is within his grasp. The turning of the tables is not really all that shocking, but rather the brutal way Oberyn is killed off as his eyes are gouged and his head crushed with The Mountain's bare hands. Thus, Pedro Pascal's brief but memorable time on Game of Thrones came to a gory end.
7. The Night King raises the dead
Despite the White Walkers being introduced in the first scene of the show, the undead army remained largely in the background until season five. It was when Jon Snow visited Hardhome that they became the main threat of the series. It also gave a terrifying introduction to the Night King, who had only appeared in one brief moment before that and never in direct confrontation with other characters.
The White Walkers' attack seems to come out of nowhere and shows their unstoppable force. While Jon and many of the Wildlings are able to escape, the Night King shows them just how hopeless things are as he stands on the battlefield, raises his hands, and all the dead rise as new additions to his army.
8. Jon Snow is resurrected
Some moments in Game of Thrones are defining, even if they might not be very popular. Despite the show proving its willingness to kill off key characters, when Jon Snow was murdered at the end of season 5, few fans believed that he was really gone.
The insistence that he was dead and the attempts to make it a surprise ended up frustrating a lot of fans when Jon was ultimately resurrected. However, the moment Jon opens his eyes and gasps remains one of the defining moments in the series. Many people also see it as a defining moment of the show's storytelling beginning to slip.
9. Jon faces down an army
Game of Thrones delivered several battle sequences that would rival anything seen on the big screen, but the Battle of the Bastards was a truly breathtaking and cinematic moment in the series. And amidst the chaos, there is one scene that stands out as a truly unforgettable image in television history.
While many fans were quick to point out how foolish Jon Snow was for charging solo at Ramsay Bolton's army, his poor planning was worth it. Resigned to dying yet again, Jon draws his sword as the cavalry charges at him. It is a stunning moment that took the show to an even greater level of scale.
10. Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor
From the first season of Game of Thrones, Cersei Lannister was established as one of the story's most formidable villains. However, season 6 of the show proved just how dangerous she could be, especially when backed into a corner. As the Queen Regent is expected for her trial in the Sept of Baelor, Cersei sets her plan for revenge in motion.
The almost dialogue-free sequence unfolds with spectacular tension and a new score for the show that adds to the intrigue. It all builds to the moment the wildfire is ignited, and the sept is blown to bits, along with several major characters like Margaery and Loras Tyrell. It is a wild moment of villainy that is hard not to be entertained by.
11. Daenerys attacks the Lannister army
Despite arriving in Westeros with three dragons and a massive army, Daenerys gets off to a bad start in her quest to take the Iron Throne. She loses allies and suffers huge defeats, but when she is forced to show the extent of her power, she proves that this will be a war that her enemies cannot win.
As Jamie Lannister escorts his army back to King's Landing, they are set upon by the charging Dothraki. As if that sight wasn't terrifying enough, Daenerys then comes out of the sky atop her dragon, setting fire to the army. It is less a battle than a slaughter, making for one of the most breathtaking and propulsive sequences in the entire show.
12. The Night King takes down The Wall
The one thing that the heroes counted on to protect them from the White Walkers was The Wall. However, as soon as the Night King resurrected Daenerys' dead dragon, it became clear that The Wall was not going to stand much longer.
Indeed, seeing the undead dragon breathing blue fire and collapsing The Wall was a true moment of entering the endgame. It was effective to see this massive structure that has been a big part of the show since the first image come crashing down. It set up the final season in a thrilling way.
13. Arya kills the Night King
The entire series seemed to be building up to the showdown with the White Walkers, but as it turned out, that wasn't meant to play as big a role in the final season as we thought. The battle takes place halfway through season 8 and brings an end to this storyline in an abrupt way that didn't sit well with everyone.
However, it is hard not to get a thrill out of seeing Arya Stark be the one to bring the Night King down. She had gradually established herself as the deadliest character in the series, so it made perfect sense that she would deliver the final blow. As much as there was a feeling that the Night King didn't live up to the hype, it was a thrilling victory for the heroes.
14. Daenerys burns King's Landing
Daenerys was a character fans were rooting for since season 1, so it was quite a risk for her final arc to see her become something of a villain. After conquering King's Landing with ease, Daenerys decides not to let her enemies off so easily and burns the city, killing countless innocent people in the process.
It was one of the most controversial moments in the series and the big final, devastating twist. Some fans felt that this arc was rushed and betrayed the character we had come to love. Regardless, it was a massive moment that made the ending of the show all the more complicated.
15. Bran is named King of Westeros
For the entire series, the major question of Game of Thrones had been who would sit on the Iron Throne in the end. The finale finally answered that question, and it was not someone that many fans were predicting, as Bran Stark was named king.
It does actually make sense that a character who can remember all the events that have happened would make a good king. However, the show's reasoning that Bran had the best story was dubious to many fans. It was another controversial note to leave the show on, but undoubtedly one of the biggest moments to close out the story.
All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available to stream on HBO Max.