Game of Thrones has been praised by casual fans and critics alike for creating a parade of unforgettable television moments. These could be battles, character deaths, reveals, or thought-provoking speeches.
The best of these sequences left lasting impressions These moments have achieved iconic status and influenced TV and even pop culture at large. Let's look back at some of the best sequences to come out of this legendary show:
10. Jaime's confession (Season 3, Episode 5, "Kissed by Fire")
For the two seasons of the show, audiences hated Jaime Lannister. Since his introduction in the first episode, he displayed a condescending attitude and frequently verbally sparred with the Starks, not to mention pushing one of the youngest Starks out a window. These characteristics, alongside his decision to commit regicide on King Aerys II Targaryen, made him look like a villain.
Jaime's confession about why he killed King Aerys — the first major step in a popular pairing between him and Brienne of Tarth — in the baths Harrenhal flipped everything upside down. The man without honor revealed himself to be a man who sacrificed it to save hundreds of thousands of people from the Mad King, and he was harshly judged by Ned Stark and others for this selfless act. The scene itself is famous because it is the true beginning of an unforgettable redemption arc.
9. Chaos is a ladder (Season 3, Episode 6, "The Climb")
Littlefinger and Varys are the best representatives of one of the main aspects of Game of Thrones that pulled viewers in: the political maneuvering. Their game was unique in that they never sat on the Iron Throne, yet they pulled the strings of many of the most important figures in Westeros and beyond. Despite facing one another and concealing their goals, the two regularly communicated with each other in throne room.
Their most famous conversation mostly belongs to Littlefinger. After thwarting one of Varys' plans, Littlefinger shares his view that chaos is a good thing, because it presents opportunity for the ambitious. The brief speech is memorable because it reflects the many conflicting parties of the series and the key characters who refuse to climb the ladder, climb and fall, or climb and succeed.
8. Hold the door (Season 6, Episode 5, "The Door")
Hodor is a character whose fame was born from both comedy and tragedy. For most of the series, he was known for his loyalty to Bran, his incredible strength, and his inability to say anything other than Hodor. The word subsequently became a popular meme.
Hodor's final appearance in the show increased his icon status, but at the cost of the wholesome or strictly comedic feelings associated with his name. In the episode "The Door," his condition is revealed to be a result of Bran's unusual power, with the term Hodor being a shortened version of his final task: hold the door. Consequently, Hodor's heroism and sacrifice in one of the show's darker episodes merged with the comedic aura behind the name.
7. The Battle of the Bastards (Season 6, Episode 9, "Battle of the Bastards")
Several battles take place in Game of Thrones, but the Battle of the Bastards may be the most iconic. The beginning is marked by misfortune with the death of Rickon Stark before his brother Jon's eyes, which is followed by complete chaos. Ramsay Bolton's shield wall encircles Jon and his army and pushes the tension to the limit.
The arrival of Sansa Stark, Littlefinger, and the Knights of the Vale shifts the mood of the battle from desperate to motivated, and Jon punching Ramsay over and over again feels incredibly satisfying. These story sequences would not be nearly as effective without the excellent cinematography. The wide shots and long shots highlight just how much action is taking place.
6. The Destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor (Season 6, Episode 10, "The Winds of Winter")
When it comes to opening scenes in Game of Thrones, the trial of Cersei Lannister reigns supreme. Beginning with one of the best songs in the series, "Light of the Seven," the slow buildup of piano and strings accompanies the scene's rising tension. Both the music and the narrative culminate with the destruction of the Sept of Baelor, with all of Cersei's enemies inside.
In addition to the music and the fiery explosion at the end, the trial is memorable because it acts as the conclusion of several storylines in King's Landing. Major characters like the Tyrells and Cersei's last child Tommen were removed from the game and the Sparrows were destroyed after two seasons of control. Above all, it emphasized just how far Cersei was willing to go to achieve her goals.
5. Daenerys frees the Unsullied (Season 3, Episode 4, "And Now His Watch Is Ended")
Daenerys Targaryen freeing the Unsullied from the slavers best represents her rise to power. In her prior significant wins, she required the counsel and aid of her advisors and guards. However, when she needed an army, Dany alone not only gained one but earned their loyalty, and at no cost.
Demonstrating her wit and ingenuity, Daenerys used the brutality of the slavers against them by calling upon the Unsullied to fight those who harmed them. Coupled with Drogon burning the surrounding area and the slaver who insulted Daenerys, the scene proved to her followers and to the audience that she was capable of reaching her high ambitions. The Unsullied illustrating their loyalty to her as opposed to their prior owners cemented the scene as iconic.
4. Oberyn vs the Mountain (Season 4, Episode 8, "The Mountain and the Viper")
Many duels occur in Game of Thrones, and Oberyn Martell's fight against the Mountain is at the top of the list. Because it was trial by combat — the second for Tyrion Lannister — the stakes were high. Both Oberyn and Tyrion would die should the former fail to defeat the Mountain, one of the most intimidating characters in the series.
It's David vs Goliath as a quick, skilled spear-wielder must fight to overcome the evil, armored giant. Oberyn winning the fight, only to be brutally crushed due to his arrogance, thus dooming Tyrion, was surprising but also fit perfectly with the story's themes.
3. Tyrion's trial (Season 4, Episode 6, "The Laws of Gods and Men")
Tyrion Lannister faces trial after trial throughout the show, but his genuine court trial is the most impactful. After being wrongly accused of regicide due to his known hatred toward the young king, he was forced to testify in front of the lords and ladies of King's Landing. Unfortunately, the odds were against him.
After watching his friend Varys and his lover Shae speak against him during his trial for murdering King Joffrey, a crime he did not commit, Tyrion's nerves and composure eroded. He calls out his father, Tywin, for presiding over a biased trial, accusing him of hating Tyrion all his life because he's a dwarf. Tyrion insulted the people of the city for turning on him so quickly despite him saving the city from Stannis Baratheon back in season 2. Delivered by Peter Dinklage, Tyrion's speech is extremely powerful.
2. Ned Stark's execution (Season 1, Episode 9, "Baelor")
Like any show, Game of Thrones needed an iconic moment to make sure viewers would return for season 2. Ned Stark's execution is that moment: a brilliant yet devastating scene that crushes the audience's expectations and sets the tone for the plot going forward. This was only the beginning of the disasters that would befall the Starks.
After reluctantly leaving Winterfell to help his friend King Robert, Ned discovered he hated the political gamesmanship of King's Landing. Despite his good intentions, Ned could not escape his fate; he was falsely accused, arrested, and then unexpectedly executed.
The protagonist dying so unfairly and quickly informed the audience that no one was safe, and that the world of Westeros was cruel yet exciting.
1. The Red Wedding (Season 3, Episode 9, "The Rains of Castamere")
Unsurprisingly, the most iconic sequence from Game of Thrones is the Red Wedding. After experiencing Ned Stark's tragic death, many viewers opened up to the possibility of the show being a revenge story where the Starks would eventually get back at the Lannisters. The Red Wedding once again reminded everyone of the show's dark and unpredictable nature.
In spite of his many victories against the Lannisters, Robb Stark made some major mistakes that culminate in his demise, along with his wife and mother. The ominous music, the slow realization of what's happening, and the bloodbath each contribute to what makes this sequence so memorable. It's a tragic end to a campaign for justice that's frequently referenced in pop culture.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.