Celebrate the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel announcement with the best episodes
Haven’t you heard? The story of House Targaryen will be told, and your beloved Game of Thrones has a prequel in the making. According to the official statements, “the series will tell the story of House Targaryen (a.k.a. the House that gave us the Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen) and take place 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones”.
Based on George RR Martin’s novel Fire and Blood, the Game of Thrones prequel will be called House of the Dragon, and official pictures from the set are making the rounds on the internet already. They feature Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
Production on the prequel started on April 26th this year, and the series is expected to have a 2022 debut. In anticipation of this prequel, we’re sure you want to bingewatch the entire series, but if you find yourself in a time crunch, we’ve picked out the best episodes from Game of Thrones, so you can enjoy the greatest moments but don’t have to sit through the whole thing.
“Blackwater”
Jump into the ninth & penultimate episode of the second season, “Blackwater”. Everything explodes in a geyser of green flame. What green flame? Tyrion Lannister’s secret weapon detonates with explosive ferocity. If you read the book before watching the episode, you might have been caught by surprise as to how much more intense the explosion was depicted on screen.
And then, with the screams & cries of people burning or drowning to death will bring you back with a jolt. The cinematography is grim, which plays to the advantage of the plot.
“The Rains of Castamere”
In the ninth & penultimate episode of the third season, we witness multiple deaths: Frey men kill Stark soldiers and Grey Wind, Robb’s direwolf. Lothar repeatedly stabs the pregnant Talisa in the stomach, killing her unborn child. Robb Stark dies, Catelyn dies — after killing Lady Joyeuse. Too many deaths to keep count of.
The episode also gave us one of the more famous lines from the show, “The Lannisters send their regards”. These words were said by Roose Bolton to Robb Stark, moments before he killed him. We’re not saying you won’t be catatonic with grief & shock by the time the episode comes to an end, but the drama & the battle will be well worth the watch.
“Fire and Blood”
You never forget the first season finale. The focus is on Emilia Clarke, who portrays Daenerys in all her ferocity for the first time ever. This is a major juncture for the show. When she finds out that Mirri’s curse has killed her unborn child, she has her tied to Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre, who she mercy-killed by the way. Yeah, a lot is going on in this episode.
She places her dragon eggs on the pyre, declares herself queen of a new khalasar, and steps into the lit pyre. When she emerges unharmed from the fire, that’s the least of anyone’s concerns. She is clad in three infant dragons. In that moment, everyone bows down to her & she becomes the mother of dragons.
There’s a lot happening with the Starks too: Robb Stark is declared the King in the North. If only he knew the fate that’s to befall him.
“Baelor”
We have a thing for the ninth, penultimate episodes of each season. But “Baelor” deserves to be on this list for the sheer surprise element that is so characteristic of the entire series. Sean Bean, who plays the ineffable Ned Stark is killed. It’s truly the moment it becomes clear that manipulation, lies, deception are very pervasive in this game of thrones.
So when Ned Stark agrees to make a false confession in order to protect Sansa, he also ensures Arya is safe. Once he’s made sure of that like a doting father, he confesses to treason and is beheaded.
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It’s hard to pick just a few epic episodes from the series, but these should get you started well in time for the prequel.
