10 Most Shocking Moments In Game Of Thrones Season Finales

10. Brienne & The Hound (Season Four)

Two heavyweights of Westeros met on the hills of the Vale in the season four conclusion as Brienne and Podrick stumbled across Arya and her unlikely companion, the Hound.

The execution of this first-time meeting between two beloved characters was paced perfectly. The slow build and look of realisation on Brienne’s face as she deduced Arya’s identity, followed by a vicious fight over the right to safeguard the youngest Stark girl.

The shock factor here was two-fold: that Brienne managed to outgun Sandor Clegane, not only in sword combat but with her fists, and Arya’s stillness as she watched her protector bleed to what she thought was his death, refusing to put him out of his misery.

That the Hound lives does not diminish Brienne’s courage or Arya’s dispassion. It only serves to set up two highly-anticipated reunions, if they all make it to series eight.