We’re not QUITE ready to discuss last night’s Game of Throne’s episode yet, and if we were, we’re not sure THAT moment would make this list, but enjoy some of our favorite moments thus far…
It’s hard to believe that Game of Thrones is at the end of its 5th season already. It seems like it was only recently that Bran Stark was nonchalantly shoved out of a window by the then two-handed Jaime Lannister. With the new season’s first few episodes garnering such great reviews, we thought we’d reminisce on the best Game of Thrones moments so far!
As usual, spoiler alert for those not caught up to this point. If you aren’t, what are you waiting for? Try HBOgo, or look around for additional info and ways to stream previous seasons and listings for the current season!
Ned Stark’s Beheading
In the world of fantasy fiction, especially in TV adaptations, your most important characters generally get to stick around. This is not true in the brutal world of Westeros, where even Ned Stark, a character who gets major screen time and a central chunk of the plot, can be dispatched with no consideration. Before he gets his head chopped off, Ned states that he “learned how to die a long time ago.” Foreshadowing, anyone?
Daenerys Eats a Raw Horse Heart
In traditional dothraki culture, a pregnant khaleesi must consume a whole horse heart raw in order for her child to be strong. Daenerys may seem sweet and humble at first but she is a character of compassion and an equally ruthless paladin of justice against those who’ve crossed her. She may look like a glassy-eyed waif, but watch her scarf down a horse heart like a buzzard and you won’t underestimate her again.
The Red Wedding
One sure way to keep viewers invested is to stage a fancy event which turns into a bloodbath or at least an earth-shattering story twist. The Red Wedding is the culmination of events that were set in motion from Ned Stark’s end, arranged by Lord Walder Frey. The shock is seeing just about everybody we’ve been rooting for get chopped down in a matter of seconds: Robb Stark, Queen Talisa, and Catelyn Stark among Rob’s bannerment and men-at-arms. Did we mention before that George RR Martin is a writer of dark fantasy?
The Purple Wedding
If innocents get slaughtered in Westeros, the wicked do sometimes come under the same fate (fortunately). Joffrey is the Game of Thrones‘ own Vlad the Impaler, a monster of cruelty and sadism in a world with no short supply of either. He is the reason why Ned was beheaded, why Sansa’s direwolf Lady was executed, and why many of his father’s “love children” were murdered. When he finally meets his end—poisoned, as befits a coward—everybody’s honest reaction amounts to “What took so long?”
Tyrion’s Trial Speech
With Joffrey’s death, all signs seemingly point to Tyrion as the murderer. He is given a trial wherein Shae tells Tywin and the court that Tyrion planned Joffrey’s death with Sansa. Tyrion then gives the speech of a lifetime, stating that he has been on trial for being a dwarf his whole life. Tyrion represents every person who has ever been banished from mainstream society for the crime of being different—whether by race, creed, intellect, orientation, or beliefs. He’s the underdog, pushed harder and harder until he must turn and bite. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he demands a trial by combat.
Fans of the series and Martin’s masterful literature live in a world of suspense, seeing as how the novel series isn’t yet finished. But we can all take heart in this bit of optimism: The television show has so far been one of the greatest adaptations from literature to television ever and we can expect even more twists, turns, and shocking unraveling events for the rest of the series.
What are your favorite moments of Game of Thrones?
Written by Maria
Maria is a writer interested in comic books, cycling, and horror films. Her hobbies include cooking, doodling, and finding local shops around the city. She currently lives in Chicago with her two pet turtles, Franklin and Roy. You can follow her on Twitter @MariaRamos1889
