The earlier seasons of Game Of Thrones are generally regarded as the best installments in the series. The initial seasons of the hit HBO show featured complex political intrigue combined with jaw-dropping action sequences. Season 4 included several iconic scenes that skyrocketed the show's popularity and expanded the intricate world of Westeros.
Season 4 of GoT saw characters such as Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Sansa Stark slowly grow in power, as well as the implosion of House Lannister. There were plenty of show-stopping scenes that suggest the fourth season might have been the show's best.
Brienne Of Tarth Vs. The Hound
In Season 4 of Game Of Thrones, The Hound collided with Brienne of Tarth in a bloody and brutal showdown of strength. Brienne clashes with Sandor Clegane whilst looking for the Stark sisters and, after a few close-calls, overpowers the notable warrior.
Brienne and the Hound pulled no punches during their epic confrontation. Their fight does not feature in the books; Brienne has a gruesome encounter with Biter and the Hound seemingly succumbs to infection after his leg is wounded by the Tickler.
Tyrion's Trial Speech
Tyrion Lannister delivered his most iconic speech whilst on trial for the murder of Joffrey in Season 4. After Shae testifies against him, Tyrion rebels against his father's scheme to send him to the Wall and delivers some brutal home truths to the people of King's Landing.
Tyrion proclaims that he didn't kill Joffrey and berates the people for turning on him after he defended the city against Stannis Baratheon. His epic speech concludes with his quintessential demand for a trial by combat.
Battle Of Castle Black
Mance Rayder's slow march to the Wall finally culminated in Season 4, as the King-Beyond-The-Wall and his army of wildlings attacked Castle Black. Jon Snow stepped up in his first display of leadership by leading the defense of the Night's Watch against the Free Folk.
The Battle of Castle Black is one of the show's best battle sequences. Several characters die, including Jon's lover Ygritte, and the bloody collision is instrumental to the series narrative.
Joffrey's Death
It took four seasons but evil King Joffrey finally got his well-deserved comeuppance at the Purple Wedding. The sadistic monarch is poisoned at his marriage feast to Margaery Tyrell and perishes after a short but tyrannical reign on the Iron Throne.
Audiences everywhere cheered for the death of Joffrey and were glad to see him pay for his crimes against the Starks. With the poison concealed in her necklace, Sansa Stark unknowingly helped avenge her family.
Tyrion Kills Tywin
Joffrey wasn't the only Lannister to die in Season 4 of Game Of Thrones. The Starks suffered heavy losses earlier in the series, but retribution finally came for House Lannister when Tyrion killed his abusive father Tywin.
Tyrion's final encounter with Tywin is a chilling and heartbreaking conclusion to their complex relationship. The Lannister patriarch's actions catch up with him and his death signals his family's gradual fall from power.
Daenerys Becomes Queen Of Meereen
Daenerys Targaryen led a conquest against slavery in Season 3, liberating the cities of Astapor and Yunkai whilst amassing an impressive army of soldiers and sellswords. In Season 4, the Targaryen queen completes her conquest by taking Meereen, the third city in Slaver's Bay.
The Breaker of Chains makes a powerful decision in Season 4 to remain in Meereen instead of sailing for Westeros. Daenerys realizes she must learn how to be a queen and stays in Slaver's Bay to face the consequences of her actions.
Arya's Adventures With The Hound
Arya Stark and the Hound were an unlikely duo who grew from bitter enemies to reluctant companions. In Season 4, Arya and Sandor travel through the Riverlands together. Both characters grudgingly look out for each other as they navigate a brutal, post-war Westeros.
The Hound and Arya have an impressive confrontation with Lannister soldiers during the season's opening episode "Two Swords." Despite the chilling culmination of their journey at the end of the season, their odd-couple adventures are highlights in their story arcs.
Sansa Escapes From King's Landing
Sansa Stark finally escaped from the Lannisters' clutches in Season 4 after being held hostage in the Capitol since Season 1. Ser Dontos helps Sansa flee King's Landing during Joffrey's wedding before escorting her to Petyr Baelish, who takes her to the Vale.
Sansa begins to learn from Littlefinger's example whilst in the Eyrie. The Stark exile matures from the naive girl she used to be and takes the first steps in her journey towards becoming Queen in the North.
Oberyn Martell
Oberyn Martell, the rebellious Prince of Dorne, journeyed to King's Landing seeking revenge for his sister's death in Season 4 of Game Of Thrones. The Viper collided with the Mountain and met a tragic fate in one of the show's most iconic - and gruesome - fight scenes.
Oberyn was a great addition to the cast, despite his abrupt death. The Martells provided new political intrigue to the narrative as well as fresh opponents for the Lannisters.
Stannis Saves The Day
Stannis' arc was lackluster in Season 3, but the Baratheon monarch made up for it in Season 4 by saving the day for the Night's Watch. Stannis and his forces arrive at the Wall just in time to save Jon Snow and subdue Mance Rayder and the wildlings.
Stannis' journey to Castle Black brought Jon Snow and Melisandre together and expanded the mysterious prophecy of the Prince Who Was Promised. The Red Priestess instantly notices the Lord Commander's importance and later switches her allegiance from Stannis to Jon.