Every battle sequence on Game of Thrones, ranked worst to best

8. THE SECOND SIEGE OF MEEREEN (“Battle of the Bastards,” Episode 609)

The Major Players: Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, Grey Worm, Missandei, Daario Naharis, The Masters (Razdal mo Eraz, Belicho Paenymion and Yezzan zo Qaggaz) , Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal.

Deaths: Masters Eraz and Paenymion.

The Battle: The Masters of Astapor and Yunkai have brought their impressive armada to Meereen to defeat Daenerys and regain control of Slavers Bay. The city undergoes an extended bombardment from the sea until Daenerys calls for a parley, where she promptly looses her dragons, firing part of the Master’s fleet while Daario Naharis leads her khalasar to attack the Sons of the Harpy at the city’s gates. Dany takes the surviving armada ships for herself.

Importance: Though ultimately a prelude to the more imposing Battle of the Bastards in the back half of the episode, the Seige of Meereen certainly carries weight in Dany’s storyline. She establishes the momentous power of her fully grown dragons by defeating the Masters and also obtains a slew of seaworthy ships she needs to transport her army to Westeros.

Cinematics: It’s not an extended battle, but the special effects are top notch. This is the first time we see what the fully grown dragons can do on a battlefield, and in retrospect is clearly a dry run for future battles to come. And honestly, Grey Worm’s double-kill single dagger swing is worth the price of admission by itself.

Quote: “Tell your people what happened here … tell them of what happened when Daenerys Stormborn and her dragons came to Meereen.” (Tyrion, to Yezzan zo Qaggaz)