Game Of Thrones: Every Episode Ranked From Worst To Best

16. The Iron Throne (S8E6)

Written & Directed By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss

As not just the Season 8 finale, but the finale of the entire show, there was more riding on The Iron Throne than any of the 72 episodes that came before it. The final season was already very divisive before this, so there was no way it would be able to please everyone, but it still needed to go out on a high and wrap-up the storylines for most of its biggest characters in a satisfying fashion.

Obviously lots of people disagree, but they managed to do just that. Admittedly there are still some issues here: a couple of characters don't get as much screentime as they ought to, some things still happen a little too quickly, and that A Song of Ice and Fire gag is far too meta.

But they're minor quibbles when the show is operating with this heightened level of emotion, when the performances are all so great, and when it's giving us endings that feel true to all of the characters without just being too happy. Following on from The Bells, Dany had to die, but her death to Jon Snow is befitting of her tragic hero fall.

From there we get a number of send-offs, as Bran becomes King, Tyrion is named his hand, Arya goes West, Sansa is made Queen in the North, and Jon goes back beyond the Wall, reuniting with Ghost. Each one feels like the right endpoint for that character, and as we see them say goodbye and move on, it's hard not to feel a real sense of sadness; the farewell between the Starks, followed by the intercutting of Arya, Sansa, and Jon, is just beautifully done and an extremely fitting way to end the show.

15. The Lion And The Rose (S4E2)

Written By: George R.R. Martin Directed By: Alex Graves

The last episode to be written by George R.R. Martin, before he took a step away to focus on writing The Winds of Winter, The Lion and the Rose is also one of the most satisfying thanks to its final moments.

After three seasons of being the most detestable character on television, Joffrey was finally killed off, poisoned at his own wedding. The site of his face turning purple is one to cherish.

However, there are a number of great scenes in this episode, with the wedding itself providing some fantastic smaller character moments for the likes of Cersei and Sansa, and absolutely top work from Jack Gleeson and Peter Dinklage in particular.