After 8 years and 8 seasons, Game of Thrones has officially come to a close. And whether you were satisfied with how the show ended or not, we can all agree on one thing: there were many amazing moments throughout the seasons that we’ll be reliving for years to come.
So, as we mourn the end of one of recent history’s greatest shows, let’s commemorate some of the most jaw-dropping moments in Game of Thrones.
1. “Power is power.” (Season 2, Episode 1: The North Remembers)
Did anyone really doubt that Cersei was – until her death – one of the most powerful people in Westeros?
Littlefinger made the mistake of challenging that, insisting that knowledge is power. But Cersei was quick to shut that down with a little demonstration using the Lannister soldiers following her every command, even threatening Littlefinger’s life.
Yes, power truly is power. As well as the highest currency in King’s Landing.
2. “The Lannisters send their regards.” (Season 3, Episode 9: The Rains of Castamere)
More well-known amongst fans as the Red Wedding, this was probably among the most shocking and heartbreaking Game of Thrones scenes in all eight seasons. And therefore it makes this list of the best Game of Thrones moments.
This was also when we learned that GoT will make you believe that things are working out, only to pull out the rug from under us right when we least expect it.
We all thought Robb and Talisa would be able to live out their marriage without repercussions and that the King in the North will have stronger allies in the Freys and Boltons.
A few minutes later, the happy couple is killed and Catelyn lets out one, brokenhearted scream of grief before being murdered herself.
3. “Tell them Winter came for House Frey.” (Season 6, Episode 10: The Winds of Winter; Season 7, Episode 1: Dragonstone)
After two seasons of watching Arya train to become one of the Faceless Men, we finally saw her crossing names off her list.
This beautiful, satisfying moment spanned over two episodes, and season 7 could not have gone off to a better start.
Out of revenge for killing her family, she disguised as a serving girl and served Walder Frey a pie made out of his sons before slitting his throat.
While in the next episode, she stole Lord Frey’s face and poisoned the rest of his house. Indeed, leave one wolf alive and the sheep will never be safe.
4. “All memory of you will disappear.” (Season 6, Episode 9: Battle of the Bastards)
For all the heart-wrenching deaths, there were also those that were satisfying enough to almost make up for the heartache.
Ramsay Bolton’s was one of them, made even more satisfying by the fact that it was Sansa who delivered his death after dropping this gem of a one-liner.
After having to watch Ramsay abuse Sansa and Theon both physically and psychologically, seeing his “loyal” hounds rip into him was just too rewarding not to watch.
5. “A dragon is not a slave.” (Season 3, Episode 4: And Now His Watch is Ended)
Out of all the times that Daenerys showed how formidable she is, this was definitely the most memorable.
Upon handing a leashed dragon to slave-trader Kraznys in Astapor in exchange for the Unsullied army, she shocked everyone by speaking this line in Valyrian – her mother tongue.
Then she ordered the Unsullied to kill all the slave masters before uttering the single most badass word: “Dracarys” (which in High Valyrian means Dragonfire), setting Kraznys ablaze.
6. “I am the dragon’s daughter, and I swear to you that those who would harm you will die screaming.” (Season 1, Episode 10: Fire and Blood)
Daenerys was a true Khaleesi before she was ever the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
She made this vow to her Khalasar as she mourned the death of her husband, Khal Drogo, and right before she sent the witch Mirri Maz Duur to her death.
After which she stepped straight into the fire with her dragon eggs and came out the next day unburnt – and with 3 small but very much alive dragons.
7. “If they get through, everyone dies.” (Season 5, Episode 8: Hardhome)
This was the moment Jon Snow and the rest of the Wildlings realized how big and real of a threat the army of the dead was.
They were able to hold off the White Walkers pretty well and managed to get a good number of wildlings onto their boats to escape – but not without losing many of them as well.
Watching the dead wildings rise again at the wordless command of the Night King was enough to send shivers down everyone’s spines.
8. “Hold the door.” (Season 6, Episode 4: The Door)
It’s only apt that it was Bran who would solve one of the show’s greatest mysteries: why Hodor could only say “Hodor”.
In one of the only instances that we saw the past and present overlap, we saw present-day Hodor holding the door to save Bran and Meera’s life, sending young Hodor into a seizure that caused him to spend the rest of his life saying just that one word.
It was a truly shattering moment.
9. “From this day, until the end of my days.” (Season 7, Episode 7: The Dragon and the Wolf)
We assumed this Game of Thrones episode would be about Daenerys and Jon, but in reality, it was so much more.
Upon prompting from Sam, Bran revisited the past and discovered that Rhaegar Targaryen didn’t kidnap his aunt – they were married in secret.
Recalling the last episode of Season 6 that showed a young Ned and Lyanna Stark discussing a particular baby, it’s finally revealed who the baby is: Aegon Targaryen – aka Jon Snow.
10. “Will you break the wheel with me?” (Season 8, Episode 8: The Iron Throne)
If anything, Daenerys was the Queen of Motivational Speeches.
Say what you will about her descent into madness, but her victory speech to her Dothraki and Unsullied armies in the last Game of Thrones episode was definitely one for the books.
Of course, now we know she wouldn’t be breaking any wheels but with Drogon flying up behind her as she exits The Keep, it’s not hard to see why her armies remained loyal.
Do you agree with our list of these 10 most jaw-dropping Game of Thrones moments? Sound off in the comments below. And let us who which in your opinion is the best Game of Thrones scene or moment!