When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die, and when you watchGame of Thrones, you’re forever changed as a TV viewer. During its 8-season run, the fantasy series set a higher bar for everything a show could and should be. At the same time, the series had several missteps that further influenced what fans want and expect from television today.
Game Of Thrones
In short,Game of Thronesredefined modern TV, and its impact continues to be felt in everything fromHouse of the Dragonto fantasy series in general. Fromshocking plot twistsand intense (sometimes controversial) scenes, we’ve compiled the most noteworthy and enduring moments inGame of Thrones’legacy.
16Daenerys’s Rebirth
Season 1, Episode 10
One of the last Targaryens, Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys found herself used as a chess piece in her brother’s quest for the throne. After an arranged marriage led to real love, she was devastated by her husband Drogo’s injury in battle, and furious when he was later poisoned. After mercy killing him, Daenerys declared herself queen, tied Drogo’s killer to his funeral pyre, and walked into the flames. Magically, as the fire died down, Daenerys appeared unscathed, accompanied by three newborn dragons.
Fire and Blood
This scene cemented Daenerys as a huge threat in the series. It also more explicitly established the role of magic in the show and hinted at the fire and blood to come. Notably,Daenerys isn’t fire-proofin the books, and while some appreciated this new one-off ability, others weren’t sold on it. This would be one of many changes the show made to the adaptation — some for good, and some for bad.
15Purple Wedding
Season 4, Episode 2
King Joffrey Baratheon, played by Jack Gleeson, was among the most vile characters inGame of Thrones.He tortured and killed people on a whim, mocked and degraded his family, and more generally was a horrible ruler. So, it’s little surprise that when he began choking at his wedding, few attendees stopped to help him. It’s also unsurprising that many fans celebrated his death, while others grieved the end of an iconic villain.
A Lannister Always Pays His Debts
Gleeson’s portrayal of Joffrey was so vicious that multiplefans sent hate mail. While Joffrey deserved his death, Gleeson didn’t deserve the hate, and the show became emblematic of an issue among some fans who couldn’t separate reality from fiction. At the same time, Joffrey’s death shook up the series, eventually leading to evenmore hated characterstaking his place.
14The Last Season
At first, Season 8 might seem like a strange addition to a list of ways in whichGame of Thronesrevolutionized TV. But much in the same way thatDexter,Lost, andHow I Met Your Motherfailed to deliver on their finales,Game of Thrones’sfinale was a colossal disappointment. Although some viewersenjoyed this season, the vast majority viewed it as an unfitting ending and an unfair send-off, with some even believing it tarnished everything in the show that came before it.
A Complicated Legacy
Game of Thrones’finale showed just how important it is to stick a landing. Even today, some viewers pretend that the series ended earlier, or simply refuse to watch the last season (or several seasons). Despite this huge misstep, it’s undeniable that the finale is memorable and revolutionary, albeit for unfortunate reasons.
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13Shireen’s Execution
Season 5, Episode 9
Shireen is the daughter of Stannis Baratheon, an Iron Throne claimant who was working with a priestess named Melisandre in order to secure his birthright. When a snowstorm caused trouble for his army, Melisandre informed him that sacrificing Shireen would help them win their upcoming battle. Reluctantly, Stannis chose to heed Melisandre’s advice and ordered Shireen’s death. Tied to a pyre, she screamed for her parents as she was slowly and horrifically burned alive.
Characterization and Controversy
In the books, Shireen and Stannis are still alive, but it’s assumed she’ll meet a similar end. At the same time, many readers have a hard time believing that Stannis — who loves his daughter — will be the one to give the order. In turn, this scene has become one of the most controversial, and devastating, in the entire series.
12Hold the Door
Season 6, Episode 5
Hodor was a lovable addition toGame of Thrones’scast who accompanied Bran Stark on his adventures beyond the wall. After being attacked by a group of zombie-like wights, Bran uses his warging abilities to zap his consciousness back into the past, where he enters the mind of a boy named Wylis. As another member of their group, Meera, tells Hodor to hold the door,Wylis hears the commandin the past and suffers a seizure, causing him to repeat “Hold the door!” until it slurs into his future name, “Hodor.”
A Devastating Demise
Although a little difficult for some fans to follow, this episode was nonetheless emotionally devastating. Among thecharacters who suffered the most, Hodor is remembered for his heroism, kindness, and ultimately, his tragic fate.
11Tywin’s Death
Season 4, Episode 10
Tywin Lannister was the no-nonsense, ambitious patriarch of House Lannister. When his son Tyrion escaped the dungeons — after having been falsely accused of Joffrey’s murder — Tywin found himself staring down a crossbow as he tried to use the toilet. Furious by his father’s treatment, as well as his affair with his lover Shae, Tyrion lets the arrow fly, and Tywin dies on the spot.
An Undignified Death
Tywin was the big bad ofGame of Thrones, showing more cunning than either Joffrey or Ramsay and a willingness to do whatever it took to preserve his family name. Yet, he could never escape the shame of his son, Tyrion, who led to his demise. The sour cherry on top was that he died using the toilet, thus ending his legacy, which he’d fought so hard for, on an ignoble note.
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10Jon’s Resurrection
Season 6, Episode 2
Jon Snow, played by Kit Harrington, is the presumed bastard son of Ned Stark who goes to the Night’s Watch seeking honor. Unfortunately, his Brothers come to view him as a traitor after he allies with the Wildings. At the end of Season 5, they stab him to death, after which he is brought back to life by Melisandre. He then kills those who betrayed him, including his enemy, Alliser Thorne, and his personal steward, Olly.
His Watch has Ended
Jon’s death and resurrection propelled his role in the series. It allowed him to leave the Night’s Watch, become the King in the North, and eventually put a stop to Daenerys. This scene also further complicates the role of magic in the series, seemingly setting up Jon’s role as the “chosen one” only to later subvert that expectation.
9Oberyn’s Death
Season 4, Episode 8
Witty, swift, and all-around fun to watch, Pedro Pascal’s Oberyn Martell was a fan favorite. He joined the cast with the goal of seeking vengeance for his sister, Elia, who was assaulted and killed by the Mountain. After Tyrion was accused of murder, Oberyn offered to serve as his champion in trial by combat. He then faced off with the Mountain, getting in some good blows before the Mountain yanked him to the ground, gouged out his eyes, and crushed his skull between his hands.
No Place for Heroism
This was another moment in whichGame of Thrones"went there," showing the gruesome and heartbreaking death of a beloved character. His demise reminded audiences that any character could die in an instant, that some wrongs would not be righted, and that the series would be much darker than they’d ever anticipated.
8The Reveal of Jon’s Parents
Season 7, Episode 7
One of the central mysteries ofGame of Thronesrevolved around Jon’s parentage. His father was, allegedly, Ned Stark, but what about his mother? In a twist, it was revealed that he wasthe son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Starkand his name was actually Aegon. More importantly, this connection meant that he was the rightful heir to the throne.
A Long Awaited Secret
Many viewers guessed early on that Jon was actually a Targaryen, butGame of Throne’sstill managed to keep them entertained and curious for seven seasons. The reveal complicated everything from Jon’s relationship with Daenerys to his overall role in the series. Today, it serves as an imitable example of how to build tension and pull off a twist.
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7Theon’s Castration and Torture
Theon Greyjoy was taken as Ned’s ward after his father’s failed rebellion. Years later, in a bid to gain his birth family’s respect and affection, he attempted to take over Winterfell, only for his own men to turn him over to Ramsay. From then on, Ramsay subjected him to mutilation, torture, and mind games, all resulting in Theon taking on a new identity as “Reek.”
Like several other moments on this list, Theon’s torture was hard to watch. He lost who he was as a person and instead became little more than a thing for Ramsay’s enjoyment. Fortunately, parts of Theon’s true, improved self later resurfaced, leading to his redemption. In many ways, Theon’s arc served as a reminder that villainous characters are more than their worst deeds, and that there’s always the potential to change.
