All 73 episodes of Game of Thrones, ranked worst to best
10. “The Laws of Gods and Men,” Season 4, Episode 6
Like some of the other episodes in our top 10, this episode earns its spot based largely on one scene. Not that the rest of the episode is terrible—seeing Daenerys adjust to life in Meereen is interesting, and Davos’ stump speech for Stannis in Braavos is heartwarning—but to get into the top 10, an episode has to have a scene that puts it over the top. Here, it’s Tyrion’s trial for the murder of King Joffrey.
A parade of witnesses is brought forth to testify before judges Tywin, Oberyn, and Mace Tyrell, not exactly what you’d call an impartial jury. Tywin clearly has it out for Tyrion, and Mace Tyrell will do whatever Tywin does (like his father, who followed a hawk over the edge of a cliff and died, Mace is a follower at heart). Oberyn is the wild card; the Red Viper hates the Lannisters in general, and Tywin most of all. Either way, Tyrion has his work cut out for him.
Summoned as they are by Cersei, the witnesses all paint a terrible picture of Tyrion. Even good deeds, such as saving the city from Stannis or stopping Joffrey for beating Sansa, are twisted so as to show Tyrion in a terrible light. Any attempt by Tyrion to contradict the testimony of his accusers is quickly squashed by Tywin, making one wonder why they bother with the trial in the first place. No one ever seems to want to talk about just what a monster Joffrey was, conveniently glossing over any of his many misdeeds.
During a lunch break, we find out the real reason for the trial. Jamie pleads with Tywin for mercy on Tyrion’s behalf. The only card Jamie has is to agree to leave the Kingsguard and carry on the family line from Casterly Rock, something Tywin wants very much. Tywin accepts so readily that viewers wonder whether he didn’t stage the entire trial just for this purpose. A deal is struck for Tyrion to be exiled to the Wall, so long as he confesses his crimes.
But then the prosecution overreaches, because the next witness shatters Tyrion far past the point of cooperation: Shae.
Tyrion is floored as Shae walks into the throne room, and we’re right there with him. Shae loved him, and seeing her testify against him is a knife through Tyrion’s heart. Anyone who doesn’t feel something for Tyrion here is a wight. Burn them.
Not only does Shae share their most private moments together with the crowd, but she falsely testifies that Sansa and Tyrion planned Joffrey’s murder together, and this is the last straw for Tyrion. The smallest Lannister explodes in an epic rant on everyone in the crowd, and then demands trial by combat. Peter Dinklage breathes fire and exhales smoke in this scene, raging against everyone and everything.
Definitely the most entertaining trial since A Few Good Men.
