10 best moments from the Game of Thrones series premiere

As the show celebrates its 10th anniversary, let’s take a look back at some of the best moments from the very first episode, “Winter Is Coming.”

A decade ago this week, the first episode of Game of Thrones premiered on HBO. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the Starks, Lannisters and Targaryens first appeared on screen and launched this show into international fame, fascinating people even normally not interested in the fantasy genre.

We all know how the series ends and who ends up “winning” the game of thrones. But let’s go back to the beginning to the very first episode and see what attracted so many people to the series in the first place, because there were a lot moments that told us this show would be something special.

The little girl with the blue eyes

It was a risk to do a sort of long cold open with the series premiere of Game of Thrones. The TV series opens the same way the first book does, with a group of Night’s Watch rangers venturing beyond the Wall following reports of wildlings on the move. In a moment that foreshadows the supernatural big baddie of the series, the group discovered a group of corpses, some of which open their ice-blue eyes and rise again.

The sole survivor of the expedition, Will, flees south toward Winterfell after coming upon an undead little girl with eerie icy blue eyes. It’s a bold opening, especially given that the White Walkers and their wights wouldn’t be mentioned again for episodes, and not become important for seasons. The show already had the confidence to plan its long-term game.