Game of Thrones quickly became known for its expansive world. The iconic title sequence at the beginning of each episode even takes the viewer on a tour of Westeros and Essos, highlighting the various locations that audiences are about to visit on an animated map of George R.R. Martin's universe. Perceptive fans will notice which landmarks appear in the opening theme, and use that information as a clue as to which storylines will receive the most focus in the episode, or where the characters might be headed to next.
Despite Game of Thrones' sprawling geography, a handful of episodes only take place in a single location. Although these outings might seem smaller scale than the typical episode, some of them prove to be among the best in the entire series. But how do they stack up when pitted against each other?
4. Season 8, Episode 3, "The Long Night"
"The Long Night," one of two episode set entirely in Winterfell, the ancestral home of House Stark, acts as the climactic clash between the forces of the living and the White Walkers and their army of wights. The episode sees the conclusion of the undead invasion plot line, culminating in the death of the Night King (Vladimir Furdik) at the hands of Arya Stark (Maisie Williams).
However, several other major characters fall in this battle as well, including Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), Melisandre (Carice van Houten), and a huge number of Dothraki soldiers.
Despite the episode's scale, many fans criticized it for feeling underwhelming. The White Walkers had been teased since the first episode, and the fact that they can be killed with a single stab after only one major battle made it seem like the storyline never reached its full potential.
Additionally, several fans felt disappointed that Jon Snow (Kit Harington) never fought against the Night King, which the show had previously set up, and criticized the overly dark cinematography, making it hard to see the action clearly.
3. Season 4, Episode 9, "The Watchers on the Wall"
"The Watchers on the Wall" takes place entirely at Castle Black, and focuses on the battle between the Night's Watch and the free folk forces, a confrontation the series had been building towards since Season 2.
The epic battle features some gorgeous camera work and fight choreography, plus, placing Sam Tarly (John Bradley) front and center gave audiences a reliable, and hilarious, surrogate into the carnage. Sadly, both sides suffer heavy losses, including Pyp (Josef Altin) and Grenn (Mark Stanley), two brothers of the Night's Watch who had been Jon Snow's friends since the beginning, and, most notably, Ygritte (Rose Leslie), Jon's wildling lover who dies in his arms, though they fight on opposite sides of this battle.
Frankly, the only reason "The Watchers on the Wall" doesn't rank higher on this list is due to the high quality of the two remaining episodes. The penultimate outing of season 4, while not quite reaching the heights of director Neil Marshall's previous single-location episode, still makes for a fantastic and gut-wrenching hour of television.
Although the Night's Watch ultimately wins the battle, successfully driving the Wildlings back, the episode emphasizes the cost of the fight, making the "victory" feel shallow.
2. Season 8, Episode 2, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," not to be confused with the spin-off of the same name, acts as the prologue to "The Long Night," taking place in Winterfell just before the undead's arrival for the final battle.
Everyone thinks they're going to die in the ensuing clash, so they spend what appears to be their last night on earth together. Arya loses her virginity, sleeping with her old friend Gendry (Joe Dempsie) to experience sex before she dies, Sam gifts Jorah with a Valerian Steel sword called Heartsbane as they reflect on their shared expereinces with Jorah's late father, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont (James Cosmo), Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman) serenades audiences with his beautiful rendition of "Jenny of Oldstones," Jon reveals the truth about his parentage to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and, most notably, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) makes history by becoming the first female knight in all of Westeros, when Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) finally gives her the respect she deserves.
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" marks the last great episode of Game of Thrones. While most of the show's final season met with criticism from hardcore fans who felt the ending was rushed, this calm before the storm story took its time to highlight the characters that hooked audiences on the show in the first place.
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" raised the stakes for "The Long Knight," preparing audiences for a heart-wrenching goodbye to the cast they'd followed for eight seasons.
1. Season 2, Episode 9,” Blackwater"
"Blackwater," Game of Thrones' first single location episode, remains its strongest. Taking place entirely in King's Landing, the penultimate outing of season 2 sees the Stannis Baratheon's (Stephen Dillane) naval forces attack the capital city of King's Landing by means of the titular Blackwater Bay. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) must lead the defense of the city, protecting its citizens at all costs.
"Blackwater" showcases what a Game of Thrones battle can look like. The episode's strengths are not just limited to the battlefield, as its calmer conversations between Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Cersei (Lena Headey) prove just as tense. In fact, the episode's most powerful scene takes place in the throne room, when Cersei, convinced that Stannis' forces will take the city, prepares to poison her young son Tommen (then played by Callum Wharry) to spare him a grizzlier fate, only for her father Tywin (Charles Dance) to march in, announcing victory.
"Blackwater" is able to juggle perspectives, tones, and stakes to perfection, standing out as Game of Thrones' strongest single-location episode.
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