The 30 most iconic moments from Game of Thrones, ranked

18. Drogon rescues Daenerys from the Sons of the Harpy

Since the moment Daenerys’ dragons were born, fans everywhere were wondering when someone was going to ride one. We had to wait until season 5 to see it happen. This alone makes the scene in Daznak’s Pit iconic.

Things are looking grim for Dany and her court. They’re surrounded by Sons of the Harpy, dissidents who protest Dany’s rule over Meereen, and it doesn’t look like they have a way out. Then Drogon swoops in out of the blue, incinerating many Sons of the Harpy (and a couple of Unsullied). It’s spectacularly satisfying.

But this scene also reminds us that the dragons are vulnerable, as an errant spear wounds Drogon. Realizing she has to get him out of there, Daenerys cautiously climbs onto his back and gives him one command: fly. He does, and Dany becomes the first dragon rider in centuries.

This moment pays dividends down the line. Dany rides Drogon into battle against the Lannisters in “The Spoils of War,” and to save Jon Snow and company from certain death in “Beyond the Wall.” We’re fully expecting more dragon riding in season 8, but with two of the three seats already filled, who will take the third?