As 2019 looms, so too does the ending of Game Of Thrones. Only six episodes remain of George RR Martin's fantasy epic, sure to be jam-packed with dragon-slaying, incest-driven, ice zombie-fleeing action. As we wait patiently for the show to return next year, Empire looks back, in no particular order, at some of our favourite moments so far.
Spoilers obviously follow!
Jon meets Dany
After 63 episodes, Daenerys and Jon Snow finally come face-to-face at Dragonstone. Cue lots of conversation about knee-bending (oo-er), cut through with near-unbearable sexual tension.
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Bran gets defenestrated
Arguably the first really surprising moment: both in the TV series and the novels. A ten-year-old boy is pushed from a high window, and it's suddenly not the generic fantasy you thought it was...
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The golden crown
The grisly end of Viserys Targaryen, who learns rather late that you should be careful what you wish for.
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Ned Stark loses his head
The climax of the first season, and a stark (pun intended) lesson that nobody's survival was guaranteed.
The Walk of Shame
A humiliating ordeal for Cersei at the bidding of the High Sparrow and his minions. Revenge for this was going to be spectacular...
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Hold the door!
A massive revelation that suddenly arrived out of nowhere. Suddenly the mystery of Hodor was solved. Jaws were dropped.
The Red Wedding
Speaking of jaws dropping, TV audiences who weren't up to speed with the novels could not believe what just happened.
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The loot train
You’d expect the massive dragon attack we’ve all been waiting for to bea rip-roaring action set-piece – but when it comes, it’s a visceral horror-show of charred corpses, scorched earth, ash-filled air and screaming soldiers. Thrilling and nightmarish.
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The Mountain v The Viper
Epic arena combat between Gregor Clegane and Oberyn Martel. And all looks as if it's going so well for Oberyn...
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The Blackwater
Tyrion's chops as a military strategist are put to full use in the spectacular destruction of an entire fleet.
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Cersei kills everyone
Here's that revenge we mentioned earlier. The kegs of unused wildfire beneath King's Landing had been set up seasons ago. Cersei took them and put them to good use. Well, perhaps not 'good'... but shockingly satisfying.
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Xaro's vault
An early example of Daenerys' ruthlessness. After Xaro and Doreah betray her, she locks them both in Xaro's beloved treasure vault: essentially walling them both up alive.
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Viserion’s not dead
As if the army of the dead wasn’t already foreboding enough, the Night King gets a fiery new friend when he reanimates the dragon corpse of Viserion.
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The Purple Wedding
Another terrible wedding ceremony, although in this case the result from the audience was likely cheers rather than gasps of horror. Goodbye, Joffrey!
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The fall of Lysa
No longer of any use to Littlefinger, Lysa Arryn is summarily dispatched through the Eyrie's unique mode of execution, the Moon Door.
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The death of Ygritte
A moving farewell to a popular character, and our final chance to hear that catchphrase.
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Tyrion kills Tywin
Years of psychological and emotional abuse reach their morose conclusion in a lavatory stall with a crossbow.
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Jon Snow "dies"
Like anyone really believed he was gone forever.
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Arya goes blind
Arya's trials in the House Of Black And White become more difficult, as yet another transgression results in the loss of her eyes.
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The Dragonpit
It took seven seasons for the far-flung characters of Westeros (and Essos) to convene. And when they do in an epic meeting in King’s Landing to address the, er, situation forming north of the Wall, it pays off years of characterisation with top bickering.
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The Battle of Castle Black
A full episode of carnage at the Wall. Neil Marshall returned (having directed the Blackwater episode) to orchestrate Game Of Thrones' most spectacular battle to date, although it was later surpassed by...
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The Battle of the Bastards
Two years later, gauntlet duly thrown by Marshall, Miguel Sapochnik orchestrated this thrilling, chaotic, exhausting, exhilarating barney between Jon Snow's meagre forces and those of Ramsay Bolton. Nothing short of spectacular.
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Ramsay's death
Ramsay finally gets his overdue comeuppance, and it's as delightfully gruesome as you'd hope. Great moment for Sansa too. That final smirk is priceless.
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Tyrion’s trial
A raging oration from Tyrion, forced to defend himself at his own trial. "I didn't kill Joffrey, but I wish I had!" You wouldn't necessarily say he was doing himself many favours, but he knows it's all futile anyway.
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Snow no more
Reddit figured it out yonks ago, but the confirmation of a long-held fan theory is an epic game-changer: Jon Snow isn’t Ned Stark’s bastard son – he’s Aegon Targaryen, the secret legitimate child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, and rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Oh, and that means he’s copping off with his aunt. Whoops.
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The Hound’s chickens
And we end with Sandor Clegane. Frankly, any scene with The Hound is a 'best moment', but this is possibly the one to rule them all. "You're a talker..."