Game of Thrones has 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…

 

5. The battle for Craster’s Keep in ‘First of His Name’

One of this season’s most inspired deviations from the source material, this entire subplot gave both Jon Snow and Bran’s respective storylines the shot in the arm they sorely needed this year (can you imagine 8 episodes of Jon merely hanging around the Wall, waiting for the Wildlings to attack?).

Great fight choreography, coupled with intriguing plot twists and the most horrific and insane death scene the show has ever seen to date – you just know George RR Martin wishes now that he had thought of this plotline all those years ago when he first wrote A Storm of Swords.

 

4. Tyrion’s trial speech in ‘The Laws of Gods and Men’

And the Emmy goes to Peter Dinklage! Nuff said.

 

3. Arya kills Polliver in ‘Two Swords’

This season’s biggest punch the air moment? Easily.

A great fight scene, coupled with some legendary Hound one-liners and the inspired moment where Arya dispatches Polliver with Needle whilst quoting Polliver’s infamous line from Season 2, resulting in a final shot that simply, for want of better words, kicks major ass!

 

2. The Mountain vs the Viper in ‘The Mountain and the Viper’

Easily the most shocking and violent moment of this season, the climactic battle between Oberyn Martell and Ser Gregor Clegane is pulse-pounding, edge of your seat stuff – beautifully and elegantly choreographed, superbly tense.

It’s a major testament to how good the on-screen characterization of Oberyn has been, thanks largely to the solid writing but mainly due to the talent and charm of actor Pedro Pascal, that in the space of just seven episodes he has become one of the most  popular and loved character amongst the audience.

His bloody death at the hands of the man who raped and murdered his sister is cruel, nasty and ultimately painful to watch, yet utterly brilliant for its shocking nature, even after multiple viewings.

 

1. Joffrey’s death in ‘The Lion and the Rose’

Game of Thrones’ biggest bad kicks the bucket in spectacular fashion, a moment viewers have been waiting and praying for since Ned Stark lost his head upon Joffrey’s command way back in Season 1. Does it satisfy the bloodlust us fans have had boiling away within us for so long? Well, yes, to an extent. And that’s what makes it so superb.

The beautiful yet cruel thing about Joffrey’s death is that, despite finally depicting the death of the evil little bastard, there is so little satisfaction to be had. Robb Stark and his mother were massacred in such a cruel and bloody fashion in Season 3, yet the most sickening character in all of Westeros meets his end simply by choking. Sure, it looks painful and it’s surprisingly gory. But once the finger of blame is pointed towards Tyrion, that feeling of elation and justice is all but extinguished.

The king is dead. And we’re not celebrating as much as we should be.

 

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Agree or disagree with our list? Have we missed any of your favourite moments from Season 4? Let us know below…