Game of Thrones delivered 73 episodes across eight seasons. Some are masterpieces, others made us want to launch our remote at the wall. Here’s the definitive ranking, from the clunkiest missteps to the episodes that redefined television.
Bottom of the Barrel
Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken (S5E6)
The nadir of the Dorne storyline and one of the most criticised episodes.
Beyond the Wall (S7E6)
Big spectacle, but logic collapses under the weight of plot armour.
The Last of the Starks (S8E4)
Strategic nonsense and clumsy character writing spoil the momentum.
Eastwatch (S7E5)
Fast-forward storytelling at its most awkward.
High Sparrow (S5E3)
Introduces a major player, but feels more like a sermon than drama.
The Iron Throne (S8E6)
The finale limps across the line, leaving fans divided and disappointed.
The Bells (S8E5)
Cinematic devastation, but character arcs sacrificed for shock value.
Lower Tier
Kill the Boy (S5E5)
A quiet episode that fails to build real tension.
Dragonstone (S7E1)
Arya’s cold open is strong, the rest feels like re-shuffling the board.
The Wolf and the Lion (S1E5)
A highlight fight scene, otherwise early pacing issues.
Winterfell (S8E1)
Family reunion awkwardness takes the edge off the season opener.
Sons of the Harpy (S5E4)
Exciting action, but Barristan deserved better.
The Dragon and the Wolf (S7E7)
The summit is more talk than bite.
The Bear and the Maiden Fair (S3E7)
Jaime saving Brienne is great, but the rest drags.
Middling Episodes
The Ghost of Harrenhal (S2E5)
Renly’s shock exit, otherwise uneven.
The Broken Man (S6E7)
The Hound’s return rules, the rest is filler.
The Kingsroad (S1E2)
Direwolves leave a mark, but it’s still warm-up territory.
Lord Snow (S1E3)
Jon at the Wall, Daenerys developing. Slow but steady.
Garden of Bones (S2E4)
The shadow baby is wild, the rest messy.
Mhysa (S3E10)
Dany hailed as saviour, but it lacks bite after the Red Wedding.
Winter Is Coming (S1E1)
A solid pilot with some rough edges.
The Laws of Gods and Men (S4E6)
Tyrion’s trial steals the show, the rest is set-up.
First of His Name (S4E5)
Competent but overshadowed by surrounding episodes.
The North Remembers (S2E1)
Stannis steps into the spotlight, laying darker foundations.
Strong Mid-Tier
Valar Dohaeris (S3E1)
Jon meets Mance, Dany starts building momentum.
Two Swords (S4E1)
A sharp reset after the Red Wedding.
Valar Morghulis (S2E10)
A solid closer with Jaqen stealing the spotlight.
And Now His Watch Is Ended (S3E4)
“Dracarys.” Dany’s turning point.
The Lion and the Rose (S4E2)
The Purple Wedding delivers one of the show’s biggest shocks.
Kissed by Fire (S3E5)
Ygritte and Jon, plus Beric vs the Hound.
The Mountain and the Viper (S4E8)
Oberyn’s brutal end, unforgettable television.
The Dance of Dragons (S5E9)
Shireen’s fate is devastating, Drogon’s rescue is spectacular.
No One (S6E8)
Arya’s Braavos arc finally finds its payoff.
The Old Gods and the New (S2E6)
Riots in King’s Landing, Theon spirals further.
Heavy Hitters
Mother’s Mercy (S5E10)
“For the Watch.” Jon’s downfall stings.
Blood of My Blood (S6E6)
Dany rallies her army on Drogon, pure spectacle.
Stormborn (S7E2)
Naval battle thrills, Euron steals the show.
The Queen’s Justice (S7E3)
Olenna’s legendary final words.
The Wars to Come (S5E1)
A rare flashback adds weight to the season’s start.
The House of Black and White (S5E2)
Arya begins her assassin training.
What Is Dead May Never Die (S2E3)
Sharp politics and Theon’s conflicted loyalty.
A Golden Crown (S1E6)
Viserys gets his crown, and it’s molten.
You Win or You Die (S1E7)
Ned makes his fatal mistake.
The Pointy End (S1E8)
Chaos erupts after Ned’s arrest.
Baelor (S1E9)
Ned’s execution rewrote the rules of TV.
Fire and Blood (S1E10)
Dragons are born, the saga truly begins.
Oathkeeper (S4E4)
Brienne shines, the White Walkers grow stranger.
Mockingbird (S4E7)
Littlefinger’s mask slips at the Moon Door.
Second Sons (S3E8)
Tyrion and Sansa’s wedding, Daario’s swagger.
Dark Wings, Dark Words (S3E2)
The Reeds arrive, stories widen.
The Climb (S3E6)
“Chaos is a ladder.” One of Thrones’ greatest lines.
Breaker of Chains (S4E3)
Chaos after Joffrey’s death, everyone scrambling for power.
Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things (S1E4)
Tyrion shines, Bran’s struggle deepens.
Top Tier
Home (S6E2)
Jon Snow returns. Simple, huge.
Book of the Stranger (S6E4)
Jon and Sansa’s reunion, Dany’s fiery triumph.
Oathbreaker (S6E3)
The Tower of Joy delivers.
The Night Lands (S2E2)
The Greyjoys step up, Theon’s path set.
A Man Without Honor (S2E7)
Jaime’s complexity at its best.
The Prince of Winterfell (S2E8)
Arya’s escape builds high tension.
The Gift (S5E7)
Tyrion finally meets Daenerys, Stannis falters.
Blackwater (S2E9)
Wildfire, Tyrion’s bravery, Stannis at the gates.
Watchers on the Wall (S4E9)
A single-location siege that played like cinema.
Hardhome (S5E8)
The Night King steps out of legend with terrifying power.
The Winds of Winter (S6E10)
Cersei’s wildfire plot, and a perfect closing score.
Battle of the Bastards (S6E9)
Chaos, mud, suffocation, and Ramsay’s fall.
The Long Night (S8E3)
Dark but unforgettable. Arya ends it with one strike.
The Spoils of War (S7E4)
Drogon vs the Lannister army, fire and chaos everywhere.
The Rains of Castamere (S3E9)
The Red Wedding. Still shocking, still unmatched.
The Children (S4E10)
Tywin’s brutal end, Bran’s northward journey, Arya sails away.
