My Top 5 Episodes: Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones has finally ended and saying it was disappointing is putting it mildly. D&D kind of forgot about the essence of the show. It wasn’t the big battles, dragons, ice zombies or shock for the sake of shock. What made it special was it’s characters, their ambitions, motivations and redemptions. All of that was burned down in order to end the show. Still, it is the biggest television show ever and will remain so for quite some time. Let’s forget the bad and look back at the glory days and remember the good. These are my top 5 episodes of Game of Thrones.

5. Baelor( s1 e9)

The episode that made Game of Thrones an overnight sensation. It was a pretty solid show with great twists, smart characterisation and a pretty complex plot but Baelor turned it into a must watch classic. No matter how much trouble Ned looked in, there is no way they were going to kill him off. Even if he was played by Sean Bean. Even when everything is against him. There is just no chance. And just a few minutes back, Robb had captured Jaime. Jon had won respect of Jeor Mormont and recieved the gift of Longclaw. Things looked great for the Starks. Ned was promised that he would be send to the wall for his “crimes” if he confessed. And then the shit hit us. It hit us hard. The impossible finally happened. As a salt on the wound, an honourable man and a seasoned soldier died being marked as a traitor. By the hands of a butcher. Baelor confirmed the claims that no one was safe. No matter who you are, you can die anytime, anywhere and really unceremoniously.

4. Blackwater( s2 e9)

Season 2 was quite divisive but there is no denying that Blackwater was one of the best episodes of the show. For me, Battle of the Blackwater is the best battle ever. Battle of the Bastards looked awesome but was really stupid and predictable. Everyone knew that Jon was winning. Here on the other hand, everyone’s fate was up in the air. Nobody wanted to see more of Joffrey, wishing that Stannis wins and slits his throat( along with Cersei). But nobody wanted to see Tyrion dying either( and Bronn). The battle was a great visual feast too. Stannis ships were wrecked by the wildfire Tyrion cleverly used. The Hound showed his true savagery, and Tyrion his leadership skills. But, within an hour, the episode made me sympathise with Cersei. Maybe because she was interesting( and actually loved her children) and Stannis was not. Everything seemed to be lost, and out of nowhere the Tywin arrived with the Tyrells, stealing victory away from Stannis. Blackwater was nail biting, exciting and confusing. It was pretty difficult to decide a side. But at the end, everyone got what they actually wanted. Tyrion survived.

3. The Children( s4 e10)

If Baelor and The Rains of Castamere were all about traumatizing us, then The Children was a beacon of hope. Stannis Baratheon went North saving Jon and company, Bran met the Three Eyed Raven promising answers and more adventures, Brienne had a ear biting and adrenaline infused battle with The Hound setting Arya free, who began a new journey towards Braavos. And finally the most satisfying death in the show. After being freed by Jaime with some help from Varys, Tyrion found Shae in Tywin’s bed, strangled her and finally killed Tywin. The richest and the most powerful man in Westeros died on a toilet seat. A very unceremonious end to the best player of the game but really poetic for someone who was so proud of his name, money and power.(You can argue that Littlefinger was the best player but everything he did following season 4 was questionable to downright dumb.) Moral of the story: “Always lock the bathroom door while taking a shit." The Children was one of the most optimistic episode and perfectly capped the best season of Game of Thrones.

2. The Rains of Castamere( s3 e9)

What. The. Fuck? These three words perfectly summarises everyone's reaction. If Ned's death was awful, this was downright depressing and traumatising. The last ten minutes was an achievement in direction and acting. The whole episode acted as one big red herring. At least in Ned's case, everything was against him but here everything was in favour of Robb. The Rains of Castamere was very hopeful before the red wedding. Jorah, Daario and Greyworm easily got out of a difficult situation. Bran used his warging abilities and literally saved his company and Jon Snow from the jaws of death. Everything was going right for the good guys. Even during the red wedding, everyone was merry and the future looked bright. Robb had planned an attack on Casterly Rock, acknowledged the importance of Catelyn, Talisa was pregnant with his heir and Walder Frey was at his side now. What can go wrong? Well, Everything. 'The Rains of Castamere' started playing right after 'The Bear and the Maiden Fair' and- “The Lannisters send their regards”. No music in the credits. No words uttered by the audience. Only silence.

1. Hardhome( s5 e8)

Season 5 was hellish. D&D made really bad decisions and after the seventh episode, Game of Thrones was on the verge of mediocrity. Things changed with Hardhome. The meeting between Daenerys and Tyrion was sped up giving one of the most dynamic conversation in the show. The “break the wheel” quote was really solid and bringing Tyrion at Daenerys side made her storyline much more interesting after pointlessly killing Ser Barristan Selmy. But the best part was saved for the last. The massacre at Hardhome was 20 minutes of edge of the seat, spine chilling and visually stunning and terrifying action piece. Jon looked like a genuine leader, Tormund was savage as always and we the episode added another possible favourite in Karsi. After years of tease, the White Walkers( and the Night King) came at the forefront. The initial attack of the wights was breath taking. The Living lost the dragonglass which made us quite hopeless so when Jon killed a general with Longclaw, we were equally optimistic. For ten seconds. The avalanche of the army of the dead was haunting and awe inspiring. Then Karsi died. This episode literally saved the whole season and the final shot of The Night King raising the dead and staring right into the soul of Jon was one of the best moments in the show. It’s really sad that they couldn’t recreate this magic again.