Game Of Thrones: 12 Things You Learn Rewatching Season 4

8. This Is Arya's Best Season

Game of Thrones Arya Hound
HBO

There's an interesting parallel to be drawn between Tyrion and Arya: in the first four seasons of the show, they're two of the best - and arguably the two best - characters on the show. Both depart Westeros, under different circumstances, for Essos in the finale, and neither have reached the same heights across an entire season since.

While I'd argue Season 2 is Tyrion's best year (and a great one for Arya too), this is when she comes to the fore most of all. Even though a lot of it is simply her travelling around the countryside, there's a real sense of purpose and meaning as she travels with and learns from the Hound.

Their partnership is one of the greatest the series has ever thrown up, and it's wonderful to watch how much Arya grows in this season, but also how she teaches him a thing or two as well. There's the delight of the chicken scene, the hopefulness of her sailing away to Braavos, and the sheer manic brilliance of her laughter after arriving to the Eyrie only to learn her aunt is dead, but it's so much more than just those great isolated moments. It's about her discovering her own path and what she needs to do next, and it's great to watch.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.