As audiences eagerly look forward to House of the Dragon, it is the perfect time to revisit the best episodes in each season of Game of Thrones. The highest-rated episodes of each season on IMDb indicate what fans generally liked best about Game of Thrones, the same elements that many fans hope to see in House of the Dragon.
The highest-rated episodes in Game of Thrones tend to feature iconic moments, shocking plot twists, satisfying character development, and in some cases, intricate battle and action sequences. In instances where multiple episodes had the same rating, the episode with more IMDb user votes is deemed the best of the season.
Season 1: "Baelor" (9.6)
This game-changing episode proved that no character was safe as the series' main character Ned Stark was executed. The brilliance of the episode is that it fools the audience into thinking that Ned will be saved from the dire situation he finds himself in. Much of the episode features Robb and Catelyn Stark making choices that allow them to defeat the Lannister forces in the field of battle and to get closer to King's Landing.
Varys tries to convince Ned to confess to the crimes that he did not commit, but that the Lannisters want him to say, which Ned ultimately does to save Sansa. Joffrey initially seems to accept Ned's words, only to have him executed in front of Sansa and the masses instead. "Baelor" successfully subverted audience expectations, raised the stakes, and set the tone for the rest of the series.
Season 2: "Blackwater" (9.6)
"Blackwater" was the first Game of Thrones episode that was devoted entirely to a single setting and a single battle from start to finish. While it was a departure from traditional episodes, it worked because of how it brought so many different characters' storylines together into a single location and conflict.
There were likable and unlikable characters on both sides of the conflict and the battle was primarily grounded in the point of view of Tyrion Lannister, a character fans were deeply invested in and who was easy to feel bad for during the battle. The Battle of Blackwater pushed Tyrion, Sandor Clegane, Cersei Lannister, and many other characters in ways they'd never been pushed before, all while the show's most intense battle yet raged around them.
Season 3: "The Rains Of Castamere" (9.9)
Featuring the Red Wedding, one of the most iconic GoT moments ever, it comes as no surprise that "The Rains of Castamere" is the highest-rated episode in season 3. Other than those that had already experienced the Red Wedding in A Storm of Swords, no one could have predicted that the wedding of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey would turn into the most shocking and significant event in the series since Ned Stark's execution in the first season.
Many fans still haven't recovered from the sudden tonal shift from a joyous wedding to a devastating massacre that killed off some of the show's most likable and important characters. The buildup and the execution of the Red Wedding is flawless, and even after 8 seasons, is arguably the strongest moment and best episode in the entire series.
Season 4: "The Lion And The Rose" (9.7)
Season 4 is the first season where the ninth episode was not the highest-rated installment. The season's second episode "The Lion and the Rose" and the sixth episode "The Laws of Gods and Men" are currently both rated highest at 9.7, but more IMDb users rated "The Lion and the Rose."
Only a few episodes after "The Rains of Castamere," Game of Thrones once again altered the status quo, this time lethally poisoning King Joffrey at his own wedding. As the King of Westeros since the end of season 1, a character surrounded and protected by powerful people, and as the show's most despicable character, it was equally surprising and satisfying to see Joffrey meet his end. The future of the Seven Kingdoms seemed more uncertain than ever, along with raising the compelling question of who dared to assassinate Joffrey.
Season 5: "Hardhome" (9.8)
"Hardhome" is the best thing about season 5. This episode made the White Walkers and the Army of the Dead feel more powerful and terrifying than they ever had before. Unlike the Battle of Blackwater or the Battle of Castle Black, this was not a case of underdogs rallying to win with help at the last moment.
This was an utter massacre where the underdogs were brutally murdered and added to the Army of the Dead, or they barely escaped with their lives. It was chilling and astonishing to watch for book readers and for those who only watched the show, as it was unlike anything fans had ever seen before and solidified how important the Army of the Dead was to the endgame of the series.
Season 6: "Battle Of The Bastards" (9.9)
Season 6 ended on a high note as the ninth episode "The Battle of the Bastards" and the tenth episode "The Winds of Winter" earned 9.9 ratings, although many more IMDb users rated "The Battle of the Bastards."
Game of Thrones had been building to a showdown between the Starks and the Boltons for a while. All the buildup paid off in this heart-stopping episode, grounding the audience in Jon Snow's perspective amidst all the chaos and destruction. The audience felt like they were suffocating just as much as Jon and his allies were as the Bolton forces closed in around them. The ending of the episode is also one of the strongest in the series, featuring the important death of Ramsay Bolton in a moment that shows Sansa Stark's incredible character development.
Season 7: "The Spoils Of War" (9.7)
For years, Game of Thrones fans fantasized about what it would be like to see dragons unleashed in Westeros. There had also been teases since season 1 of what it would be like to see the Dothraki on the battlefield in Westeros.
"The Spoils of War" finally made these fantasies and teases a reality as Daenerys Targaryen fought against the Lannister forces with Drogon and the Dothraki. While it was thrilling to behold, it wasn't a simple case of wanting to see Daenerys obliterating her enemies entirely, as the likable Bronn and Jaime Lannister were on the other side. Fans were on the edge of their seats, not wanting to see their favorites on either side meet a violent end.
Season 8: "A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms" (7.9)
With all the highest-rated episodes in seasons 1-7 being at 9.6 or higher, the drop to 7.9 speaks volumes about how most fans felt about the final season. While most of the episodes in the final season were divisive, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" was a generally well-liked episode.
Everyone enjoyed seeing Brienne of Tarth being officially knighted, as she had always been one of the most honorable characters in the show, someone who embodied what a knight should be. Her emotional, joyous reaction and the supportive reactions of other characters was a truly heartwarming moment. The episode also featured some long-awaited reunions and thoughtful ruminations before the long-awaited battle against the Army of the Dead.