To reflect on the momentous fifth season of Game of Thrones - which concludes tonight at 23:00 on M-Net City, we take a look back at the top 10 moments from the season.
(spoiler alert!)
1. Drogon Rescues Daenerys
We can thank science fiction writer Phyllis Eisenstein for convincing George R.R. Martin to put dragons in his books, because without them we would have been robbed of one of the most awesome scenes of the entire series, never mind the season. Trapped by the Sons of the Harpy in the fighting pits of Meereen, Daenerys is recued by Drogon when he breathes a reign of fiery terror into the pits and allows his mother to mount his back, before carrying her to safety. Not only is it an endearing moment between woman and beast, but the technical genius of bringing the dragon to life outshines every dragon that ever flew onto screens, big or small.
2. White Walkers Attack Hardhome
If there were to be a zombie apocalypse in Game of Thrones this would be it. Jon Snow travels to Hardhome with Tormund Giantsbane to convince the wildlings to join the Night’s Watch in saving Westeros against the white walkers and their wights. Not quite succeeding, but not quite failing either, Jon is about to leave Hardhome with a contingency of wildlings when the Night's King approaches and lays waste to Hardhome, slaying wildlings and crows alike. It doesn’t end there, as the white walkers reanimate the slain bodies all at once, leaving them with a fearsome army.
3. Shireen is Burnt at the Stake
One of the most disturbing and distressful deaths in the entire series is that of Princess Shireen Baratheon – at the hands of her father, no less. Persuaded by Melisandre to sacrifice royal blood to the Lord of Light he has his sweet and innocent daughter burnt at the stake – causing most of his army to desert him, and his wife to hang herself.
4. Jon Snow is Betrayed
In Game of Thrones no one – not even main and much-loved characters – are safe. Another Stark fell when Olly tricked Jon Snow into believing his uncle Benjen Stark had returned to Castle Black. Outside Jon is met by the bitter brothers who disagreed with his decision to join forces with the wildlings. The Lord Commander is stabbed repeatedly before collapsing into the snow in a pool of blood. The fact that Olly, who killed Jon’s lover Ygritte, betrays him makes the moment even more difficult to bear, as we watch another Stark fall.
5. Cersei is Imprisoned
Fans were given some satisfaction when Cersei was thrown into prison by the High Sparrow after her cousin Lancel Lannister ratted her out about some of her duplicitous deeds. Even though Cersei is manipulative and mean, it is a mark of the good writing and acting of the show that we couldn’t help feeling a twinge of sympathy for this woman, who does everything she does for the love of her children – even if she goes about it the wrong way.
6. Sansa and Theon Escape
It did not seem possible that a character more despicable than Joffrey Baratheon could exist, but he did – in the form of Ramsay Bolton. The moment he rapes Sansa on her wedding night and makes Theon watch was one of the most terrible moments of the series, but audiences were given some form of justice when they managed to escape. Pushing Ramsay’s lover Myranda to her death, Theon grabs Sansa and together they leap off the walls of Winterfell. Whether or not they survived is questionable, but if it robs Ramsay of the chance to punish them, then we’re happy.
7. Arya Kills Meryn Trant
Arya’s list of those she means to kill has gotten longer throughout the series, but she’s had chance every now and again to make it shorter. The deadliest blow is definitely the one she strikes against Ser Meryn Trant. Making his way onto her list for killing her sword-master Syrio Forel, Arya viciously stabs out his eyes, before laying waste to the rest of his body with her knife. Unfortunately Arya did not escape intact. Having swayed from the path of the Faceless Men, she is blinded by the Many-Faced God as punishment.
8. Sons of the Harpy Attack
It’s always irksome when Daenerys is in trouble and the Sons of the Harpy made us fear for her life yet again. Luckily Ser Barristan Selmy and Grey Worm were on hand to save the day. The two men fight bravely side by side in a finely executed scene of tension, heightened by the confined space in which the attack takes place. Unfortunately Selmy loses his life defending his queen, but Grey Worm survives – much to Dany’s relief and Missandei’s delight.
9. Stone Men Attack
Having been exiled from Meereen, Jorah was not to be seen in the first few episodes of Season 5. When he returns he kidnaps – and eventually teams up – with Tyrion. The latter, eager to pledge allegiance to the Mother of Dragons after being betrayed by his own house, travels across the Narrow Sea with the knight. While passing through Old Valyria, the pair is attacked in a frightening scene delivered with plenty of tension and thrills. Unfortunately Jorah does not escape unscathed, having been affected with Greyscale after coming in contact with the Stone Men.
10. Daenerys Targaryen Meets Tyrion Lannister
The moment fans were waiting for since Jorah kidnapped Tyrion, was when Daenerys would meet the kin of those who had killed members of her family and helped usurp their reign in Westeros. It is not only this family history that makes the moment intriguing, but also the fact that Daenerys and Tyrion are arguably two of the most popular characters in the show, and seeing them together would surely be television magic. Played by two strong leads, the moment they locked eyes and Tyrion revealed his identity was truly momentous.
Do you agree with our top ten, or was there something that made more of an impact for you during the season? Share your thoughts, and tune in for the final episode of Season 5 at 23:00 on M-Net City.
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