Another year, another excellent season of Game of Thrones.
We’ve had deaths, we’ve had allegiances form and fall, we’ve had deaths, we’ve had battles galore, we’ve had deaths, and we’ve had plenty of the dramatic twists and turns that one simply expects from Thrones these days (did we mention we’ve also had deaths?!).
But in all seriousness, it’s been a hell of a ride this season, so what better way to celebrate (and grieve) then by joining us as we at CultBox count down our favourite moments from Season 4…
(CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4)
10. The White Walker and the baby in ‘Oathkeeper’
A wonderfully chilling glimpse at the Lands of Always Winter and a creepy peek into the lingering menace of the White Walkers, this spoilery moment had book readers frothing at the mouth when it aired, not least because it hasn’t yet happened in the book continuity (at least not to the knowledge of any POV characters).
It’s completely brilliant, despite not giving too much away at all, instead gently teasing us with possible developments still to be explored in future episodes. Brrrrrrrrrr.
9. Daenerys’ locks up her dragons in ‘The Children’
There’s something so soul destroying about seeing Dany chaining up her beloved ‘Children’, even it is to protect the lives of her subjects. Ramin Djawadi’s sublime score, combined with a great performance from Emilia Clarke result in one of the smallest yet saddest moments in all four years of Game of Thrones.
Who’d have thought that we’d be in emotional tatters over some CGI dragons?!
8. The battle for the wall in ‘The Watchers on the Wall’
We’re cheating, we know. The battle between the Night’s Watch and the Wildling hordes takes up an entire episode; it no way constitutes as a moment. But the entirety of the battle on screen in this year’s penultimate episode has so many glorious moments that we’d use up all ten spots on our list with them alone.
From Sam and Gilly’s kiss to Ygritte’s death, Jon’s battle with Styr to the scene with the giant in the tunnel, Ghost’s release to that amazing tracking shot, it’s an episode packed to the brim with everything that makes Thrones the best TV Show ever made!
7. Reek learns of Robb’s death in ‘The Lion and the Rose’
A rather insignificant moment on the surface, yet tinged with sadness. One of the biggest improvements in Season 4 has been the story of Theon Greyjoy, now a broken shell of a man and rechristened Reek by his torturer Ramsay Snow. Part of the genius of George RR Martin’s writing is how easily he can write a despicable character like The Hound, Jaime Lannister or Theon, and turn the viewers/readers hatred for said character to that of sympathy.
This scene is a shining example of this, as Ramsay reveals to Reek that his once trusted friend is dead at his father’s hand. A beautifully nuanced and downplayed performance from Alfie Allen shows Theon at his most human, his most heartbroken.
6. Tyrion kills Tywin and Shae in ‘The Children’
Tyrion takes his revenge against those who have betrayed him in surprisingly bloody fashion, in an excellently underplayed, tear-inducing scene. Tywin’s had it coming for almost as long as Joffrey, but Shae’s betrayal in both Episode 6 and here are enough to make us forget any love we had for the character (if only Tyrion could do the same).
Tyrion’s hatred for his hypocritical father hits melting point in a slow, uncomfortably drawn out scene, resulting in Tywin’s death at his own son’s hand. The following moments of Tyrion sitting in a box, his face a picture of shock, is the real emotional kicker.
More on Page 2…