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

3. THE BATTLE OF CASTLE BLACK (“The Watchers on the Wall,” Episode 409)

Major Players: Jon Snow, Tormund Giantsbane, Ygritte, Alliser Thorne, Samwell Tarly, Eddison Tollet, Pypar, Grenn, Olly, Gilly, Mag the Mighty, Styr the Thenn, Janos Slynt

Deaths: Ygritte, Pypar, Grenn, Mag the Mighty, Styr the Thenn

Battle: Mance Rayder’s large wilding army, complete with Giants riding wooly mammoths, assault the Wall at Castle Black. While the main wilding force assaults the northern side of the Wall. Tormund and Ygritte’s raiders attack Castle Black’s from the south.

Grenn leads a company to hold the inner gate against the wildings while the fracas continues in the Castle Black courtyard. Jon Snow takes command after Alliser Thorne is wounded. Ygritte refuses to kill Jon when she has the chance, but is then killed herself by Olly. Tormund is captured and the wilding assault is repelled. Jon walks into Mance Rayder’s camp intending to assassinate Rayder while under a flag of truce.

Importance: A momentous moment for the North, the Battle of Castle Black also dramatically alters Jon Snow’s storyline; he’s a changed man after the loss of Ygritte, and for his bravery the Night’s Watch soon elects him their new Lord Commander. As a result of the episode’s events, Mance Rayder is executed and Tormund Giantsbane becomes a loyal ally to Jon.

Cinematics: Beautifully shot and handily balancing a number of action and character beats, the Battle of Castle Black serves up the excellent, extended battle action we’ve come to expect from Thrones. The death of Pyp is painful, but Green’s last stand at the gate and Ygritte dying in Jon’s arms provide two of the show’s most gut-wrenching scenes to date.

Quote: “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” (Ygritte’s last words)