Game Of Thrones: 10 Perfect Episodes
6. You Win Or You Die (Season 1 - Episode 7)
There was brief moment when it looked like things might work out for Ned Stark. Littlefinger had promised his support and with the additional strength of the Gold Cloaks Ned attempted to save the realm from war. But It was not to be.
This was peak Game of Thrones writing. Viewers were starting to realise just how complex the game actually was. It was a swirling mess of political guile and betrayal leading to the uncomfortable realisation that in this world, doing the right thing very often got you thrown in a cell or killed.
The episode also gave fans their first introduction to Tywin Lannister, played so terrifyingly by the master of softly spoken threats, Charles Dance. It was a fantastic scene, not only did it set Tywin up as the true power to fear (at least south of the Wall) but the symbolism was on point. The head of house Lannister was shown butchering a stag, a wonderful metaphor for the lions carving up the previous Kingdom of House Baratheon.
We were also treated to that incredible display of savage ferocity as Jason Momoa gave his stirring Khal Droggo speech - vowing to cross the Narrow Sea and sit Dany on the Iron Throne. By the gods things were good back then!
Who wasn't ready to take up arms with the Dothraki horse lords and follow Droggo and his Khaleesi wherever they might lead?