Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of rape and violence.Running for eight seasons throughout the 2010s, Game of Thrones excelled as an enthralling masterpiece of dark fantasy drama that, even with its much-maligned conclusion, remains one of the most definitive and best shows of the modern era of television. It follows a power struggle between vying families that engulfs the whole of Westeros in a brutal war for the Iron Throne. All the while, the heir of a once-great house builds her army and influence in the eastern land of Essos, while an ancient and mythic evil begins to stir as winter descends from the North.
In addition to its captivating fantasy appeal, Game of Thrones was also able to ensnare the attention and awe of viewers with its relentless intensity born from its abrupt narrative twists and its penchant for killing off major characters. Whether they feature epic and heart-stopping battles, moments of violence that shocked audiences with their graphic detail, or some of the most profound betrayals television has ever seen, these 10 episodes represent Game of Thrones at its most intense.
10
“The Door”
Season 6, Episode 5 (2016)
With Season 6 seeing many parties aligning themselves in order to mount another push against House Lannister and their allies, the mid-point of the season sees the political maneuvering continue. While this is thrilling in itself, the episode finds its true moments of palpable suspense in Bran Stark’s (Isaac Hempstead Wright) story. North of the Wall, in the lair of the Three-Eyed Raven (Max Von Sydow), Bran continues to learn of Westeros’ history, but his visions must be cut short when he and his party are swarmed by wights.
In a desperate bid, Hodor (Kristian Nairn) is ordered to hold the door while Bran and his friends escape (in one of the best last stand scenes on TV). However, through Bran’s connection to the past and his consciousness being strained in multiple directions, he inadvertently possesses the mind of a young Hodor, which leads to him convulsing in Bran’s vision as he dies while holding the wights back in the present time. It is a sequence that is as intense as it is heartbreaking, making “The Door” one of the most emotionally distressing episodes in the entire series.
9
“Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”
Season 5, Episode 6 (2015)
“Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” marks a pivotal episode in the series, but also one that will long be remembered with an air of infamy for its most intense and disturbing scene. This is, of course, for the horrific rape scene involving Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). Following their wedding, Ramsay intimidates Sansa into entering his chambers, where he molests her while demanding that Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) stay in the room to watch.
Given the negative fan reception to the sexual violence in Season 1, many were stunned that the series not only returned to depicting such content in explicit detail, but also doubled down on the intensity and brutality of its presentation. This intensity and content have made the Season 5 episode one of the most polarizing in the series, with some fans viewing the episode as being unnecessarily shocking, while others regard it to be a sobering moment that confronts audiences with a horrific act that still happens daily. Regardless of where one stands, the scene is an important beat in Sansa’s arc, and it does make her eventual triumph over Ramsay all the more satisfying.
8
“The Climb”
Season 3, Episode 6 (2013)
Game of Thrones is usually at its most suspenseful when seismic narrative shifts are transpiring, when beloved characters find themselves in peril. However, GoT was also able to conjure moments of sickeningly intense viewing through the deft detail of the show’s violence. One of the best examples of this comes in Season 3’s “The Climb,” with Ramsay’s torture of Theon Greyjoy realized in excruciating detail.
Tormenting him psychologically while inflicting horrific physical pain on him, Ramsay challenges Theon to use his wits to determine where he is being held, why he is being tortured, and who his torturer may be. The realization of Ramsay flaying Greyjoy’s pinky finger is certainly not for squeamish viewers, making for one of the most stomach-churning moments of the series. The Season 3 episode is also made intense due to the wildlings’ climb of the Wall and the violent demise of Ros (Esmé Bianco) at the hands of King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson).
7
“The Bells”
Season 8, Episode 5 (2019)
Another episode that will long be viewed with a sense of notoriety, “The Bells” is perhaps more commonly known as the episode where Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) burns down King’s Landing even after the city’s forces surrender. It marks a particularly frustrating chapter of the series, with its unrestrained senselessness making many fans feel betrayed as their favourite characters acted against reason and some of the show’s most detestable figures met with underwhelming demises.
While this air of disappointment is what will linger, it is worth mentioning that, upon reflection especially, “The Bells” does contain some striking moments of violence and intensity. Arya’s (Maisie Williams) perspective of the carnage is particularly harrowing, with her efforts to sneak into the Red Keep to assassinate Cersei (Lena Headey) seeing her in the midst of the death and destruction. Her experience of the scattered corpses and collapsed buildings is an intensely impactful and tender moment in what is otherwise a misguided Game of Thrones episode.
6
“Battle of the Bastards”
Season 6, Episode 9 (2016)
From the Battle of Blackwater Bay to the Massacre at Hardhome, Game of Thrones features plenty of captivating and heart-stopping battles throughout its eight-season run. The best of them, however, is undeniably the titular clash of Season 6’s penultimate episode, “Battle of the Bastards.” With Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) rallying his wildling allies and those still loyal to House Stark to challenge the rule of House Bolton in the North, it is presented as a brutal and hot-blooded assault of brutality and bloodshed.
Complemented by Fabian Wagner’s evocative cinematography, the episode immerses viewers in the heat of the conflict. The violence of the battle is as vast as it is callously random, yet the feud progresses with such meticulous craft that it remains firmly focused and exhaustingly propulsive. From Rickon Stark’s (Art Parkinson) deadly dash towards his brother to the sickening sense of claustrophobia during the sublime “human crush” sequence, “Battle of the Bastards” is a relentlessly intense episode of large-scale action that soars as one of the best episodes Game of Thrones ever produced.
5
“The Dance of Dragons”
Season 5, Episode 9 (2015)
The penultimate episodes of Game of Thrones seasons have an uncanny knack for delivering shocking twists that are as devastating and intense as they are unforeseeable. A prime example of this is the Season 5 episode, “The Dance of Dragons.” Despite covering a litany of character arcs, it ratchets up the tension with sublime skill, but the episode is defined by to key points of dramatic tension and unbearable suspense.
In the fighting pits of Meereen, the Sons of the Harpy launch an ambush against Daenerys and her allies. The episode is perhaps more memorable though for the events that transpire in the North, with the state of Stannis’ (Stephen Dillane) depleted forces seeing him sacrifice his young daughter Shireen (Kerry Ingram) with the hope the Lord of Light will grant more favorable conditions for the attack on Winterfell. Bolstered by a phenomenal and deeply distressing performance from Ingram, the scene with the child being burned at the stake is as mortifying as any Game of Thrones depicted.
4
“The Mountain and the Viper”
Season 4, Episode 8 (2014)
Not only did Game of Thrones present some astonishing large-scale battle sequences throughout its run, it also contained several gripping and absorbing duels, with the best of them coming in Season 4’s “The Mountain and the Viper.” With Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) facing a thwarted trial as he stands accused of assassinating King Joffrey, he demands a trial by combat that sees the vengeful Dornish prince Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) facing Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), the brutish man who raped and murdered his sister.
The tension surrounding the duel is palpable, with the episode gradually building up to the climactic clash throughout its runtime. When it finally comes, the juxtaposition of Oberyn’s swashbuckling flamboyance and Clegane’s imposing might is instantly entrancing. Given Oberyn was such an instant fan-favorite, viewers felt every slash, swipe, and stab of the duel, and even when Oberyn had the upper hand, they feared a sudden twist. Unfortunately, that twist comes in devastating fashion when Oberyn tries to procure a confession from a wounded Clegane, only to be overpowered and killed in horrific fashion. It makes “The Mountain and the Viper” not only one of the most intense episodes, but one of the most shattering as well.
3
“The Winds of Winter”
Season 6, Episode 10 (2016)
An episode that is loaded with tension and twists from the very beginning right through to the end, “The Winds of Winter” ensured Season 6 concluded in an appropriately stunning fashion. The crux of the episode revolves around Cersei Lannister’s trial at the Sept of Baelor to be conducted by the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce). As Lady Margery (Natalie Dormer) grows increasingly speculative about Cersei’s absence, a maimed and hobbled Lancel Lannister (Eugene Simon) crawls towards a burning candle placed agonizingly close to a stash of wildfire.
The mounting suspense as Cersei’s devious scheme gradually comes to fruition is brilliantly supported by Ramin Djwadi’s exceptional score that sees the intensity elevate at exactly the right pace, right up to the moment the wildfire ignites, destroying the sept and everyone inside it. It marks one of the most suspenseful and shocking passages in the show, and it had such an effect on audiences that the episode is among the highest-rated installments of GoT on IMDb.
2
“Baelor”
Season 1, Episode 9 (2011)
While the entirety of Season 1 stood out in the context of television entertainment for its exceptional writing and its production value, it wasn’t until the penultimate episode that viewers finally realized just what sort of series they were in for. “Baelor” is not only one of the most viscerally intense and seismic episodes of Game of Thrones, but it also marks one of the most iconic hours of small-screen drama in the history of the medium.
This, of course, is due to what transpires in King’s Landing, with Eddard Stark (Sean Bean)—for all intents and purposes the protagonist of the series—agreeing to make a false confession and pledge fealty to Joffrey in order to save Sansa. As Arya watches on in the crowd, his words are met with merciless cruelty from Joffrey, who goes against his word and orders Eddard to be beheaded immediately. All Game of Thrones fans can remember the ominous air of dread that lingered throughout the episode and the pit they felt in their stomach when Joffrey barked his sadistic order.
1
“The Rains of Castamere”
Season 3, Episode 9 (2013)
Perhaps better known as its moniker, “The Red Wedding,” the penultimate episode of Season 3 is forever enshrined in the annals of television history for its gut-wrenching and heart-breaking twist that made for what is arguably the most intense hour of television of all time. “The Rains of Castamere” places its focus on the pivotal union between House Stark and House Frey Edmure Tully’s (Tobias Menzies) marriage to one of Walder Frey’s (David Bradley) daughters. However, still vexed by Robb Stark (Richard Madden) going back on their past deal, Frey betrays the Starks and has them, and their allies slaughtered in his hall.
Whatever rosy complexion the episode flaunts is immediately shattered the second Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) notices the doors being barred as the band begins playing “The Rains of Castamere.” Just as viewers are able to process what has happened, the wedding celebrations erupt into a medley of horrific violence. Seeing the heavily pregnant Talisa Stark (Oona Chaplin) being stabbed in the stomach repeatedly is one of the most harrowing sights the series ever produced, while the abrupt death of so many beloved characters is jolting to say the least. As such, “The Rains of Castamere” comfortably stands as the most intense episode Game of Thrones ever presented.
