Ranking Game of Thrones Seasons Worst to Best
8. Season 5
Game of Thrones is widely regarded as one of the best scripted television shows of all time. I recently watched it for the first time through this past year and it somehow surpassed expectations. However, it wasn’t perfect no mater how much I pretended it was. Season 5 showed for the first time during my viewing that the show was capable of errors. Coming down from the highs of the Season 4 finale was always going to be a challenge considering how the show essentially restarted again here. That meant a lot of building and downtime for our characters that borders on boring at times. We also have to sit through the awful treatment of Sansa that isn’t enjoyable in the slightest even if making Ramsey more villainous was the point. There are some bright spots though, such as the menacing entrance of the white walkers in “Hardhome” and Daenerys riding her dragon for the first time in that epic Coliseum scene. Jon Snow’s apparent death was also really well-done in hindsight if he had not come back a couple episodes later.
7. Season 8
Alright, I’m about to make a statement that might turn readers away from this page: Season 8 is NOT THAT BAD. The conclusion to such a pop culture phenomenon was always going to be controversial and if you can accept that then you will be rewarded. Let me make my case before we get into the negatives. Episode 2’s “calm before the storm” is unnerving stuff full of reunions and knighting (looking at you Brienne and Arya). This is followed by the Long Night battle that contains the best score from the series. The afterparty is also a bunch of fun which is something you can’t say about much of the series’ tone. You can then make the argument that Daenerys’ heel turn in King’s Landing was rushed and I won’t disagree with you. But her dragon’s destruction is such a spectacle to see coupled with the long-awaited CleganeBowl that takes place in it. I could go on but you get the point: season 8 has a lot to offer. If we have to get negative about it, one might say that nothing in this season has room to breathe. Characters also completely abandon years of development in a moments notice that rubbed me and fans the wrong way. Therefore, it was not a very satisfying conclusion to a fantastic show despite its positives.
6. Season 7
Season 7 of GoT is very similar for me to 8 for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s also extremely rushed. Second, the timeline and traveling rules go completely out the window. Gentry running back to the Wall, then getting word to Daenerys, then flies to save Jon outside the wall ALL before pretty much anyone dies in a day is just ridiculous. I mean it used to take a whole season to get to King’s Landing from Winterfell. Those are my main complaints as everything else is actually pretty good. The “Spoils of War” gives a great battle showing just how easy the dragon’s can wipe out an army. It also has the Sansa and Arya reunion we had been waiting for 6 seasons!! Also, while the “Battle Outside the Wall” may lack logic, but it’s still cool to see some of the best fighters in Westeros interact and fight side by side for the first time. Season 7 stays above 8 in that the conclusion isn’t a disappointment.
5. Season 1
Game of Thrones season 1 serves as a prequel for the events that transpire in the series. Essentially it is the catalyst, as once they stunningly killed out the MAIN protagonist Ned Stark then s*** hit the fan. Everything before then sets the table for what is about to become and builds the world of Westeros (and Essos). The dialogue in the show is probably at its best here when they had to focus more on the script due to the budget. It’s thoroughly engaging content even if things can be a little confusing given the map you need to learn who is who at first.
4. Season 2
Now we’re getting into greatness folks. Season 2 took what made the first click and added some more flare. The first thing that comes to mind is one of the best episodes in Game of Thrones with “Blackwater.” Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) stars here carrying King’s Landing on his back. His strategy to use wildfire on Stannis’ ships is a signature character moment along with an incredible visual. Speaking on Stannis, we finally get to explore Dragonstone and witch Melisandre’s supernatural activies. That black smoke kill on Remly Baratheon came out of nowhere and showcased her powers perfectly. My only real issue would just be that Daenerys’ time in Qarth is underwhelming and pointless in the grand scheme of things.
3. Season 3
It’s time to talk Red Wedding folks. The most shocking and talked about moment from Game of Thrones has been done to death so I won’t get too deep into it. It is absolute peak tv that kills a quarter of the cast in minutes when we thought Robb was untouchable. “The Rains of Castmere” also solidified GoT’s penultimate episodes as the ones to look forward to going forward after three bangers in a row. Alright, I’m done now. Onto Jon Snow and Ygritte. My favorite couple from the show consummate their feelings in the cave in this installment and it was worth the wait. It as really hard to put this season at three but that is more of testament to the other two’s strengths than 3’s limited faults.
2. Season 6
So why is S6 above #3? I think there are more iconic episodes and moments that occur than season 3. Battle of the Bastards. Ramsey’s demise. Jon’s resurrection. Daenerys’ departure for Westeros. Hodor’s backstory. Cersei blowing up the Sept of Baelor. Jon’s heritage revealed. The list goes on and on and season 3 can’t hold a handle to it unfortunately. The season is would’ve been perfect if Arya’s arc on Braavvos wasn’t so dull.
Season 4
Season 4 of Game of Thrones is perfect. That’s right I said it. It is the most balanced of the show as well as the most impactful. Many characters get significant development, the dialogue is great (Tyrion’s trial especially), and the set pieces aren’t just there for entertainment sakes. Joffrey’s death is such glorious comeuppance I wish I could spend the whole section on it but, alas. “The Watchers on the Wall” is even more emotionally devastating (for the audience this time) as we get an hour long bottle episode of the best directed battle in the show. Then, the gut punch of Ygritte dying is just the cherry on top. Just fantastic stuff all around. Let me know if you can find something bad to say about this season in the comments or email me!
