Game Of Thrones: 10 Essential Episodes To Rewatch Before The Season 8 Premiere

As the eighth season of HBO's Game of Thrones rapidly approaches, many people are electing to refresh their memories by binging through the first seven seasons of the show. Due to time constraints however, that's not a viable option for everyone. So we've narrowed it down to the ten most essential episodes to rewatch before the final season begins.

Spoilers for the first seven seasons to follow...

Episode 1.04 - Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things

Not the first episode that people think of, but it remains a major catalyst for everything that came after it. Aside from the character introductions of Gendry and Samwell Tarly, this episode saw Catelyn Stark make one of the worst decisions in the history of Westeros and arrest Tyrion Lannister for a crime he didn't commit.

Why so important: this act is essentially what got Ned killed and started the War of the Five Kings.

Episode 1.10 - Fire and Blood

In the wake of Ned Stark's beheading, the Young Wolf Robb rallies the North to march on the crown and Tyrion is named Hand of the King - getting some valuable experience for his future position - but it's what's happening in Essos that has the most impact long term. In this episode, viewers saw Daenerys Targaryen become the Mother of Dragons.

Why so important: The hatching of the dragon eggs is the single most significant thing to happen in the first season, and might be the only hope to save the living from the Night King.

Episode 3.04 - And Now His Watch Is Ended

North of the Wall, Lord Commander Mormont is murdered by some of his own men at Craster's Keep, setting up Jon Snow's eventual path to leadership. Across the sea, Daenerys gains another of her many titles as she wages her war against the slavers and obtains the service of the Unsullied - Dracarys!

Why so important: this is the point that Dany starts to become an actual threat to the crown.

Episode 3.09 - The Rains of Castamere

The infamous Red Wedding episode saw Tywin Lannister dismantle the Northern forces, kill the heads of House Stark, and capture the Lord of Riverrun, all without lifting a finger. Allowing Walder Frey and Roose Bolton to commit the murders of Robb, Catelyn, Talisa, Grey Wind, and all the Stark bannermen present was brutal, but likely saved thousands of lives that would have been lost on the battlefield.

Why so important: not only did this cripple House Stark, but the ironic playing of "The Rains of Castamere" actually foreshadowed the later annihilation of House Frey.

Episode 4.08 - The Mountain and the Viper

This episode is best remembered for the battle between Gregor Clegane and Oberyn Martell to decide the fate of Tyrion Lannister. And though cool, this is just one of the many focuses of an episode that also saw Jorah's betrayal revealed to Dany, and Sansa aligning herself with Littlefinger to cover up the murder of her aunt.

Why so important: this led to Ellaria taking over Dorne, Jorah earning exile and eventually kidnapping Tyrion, and Sansa trusting Littlefinger enough to let him hand her to the Boltons.

Episode 5.08 - Hardhome

North of the Wall, the trek to Hardhome sees Jon Snow offer an alliance to the remaining Wildling forces for the war to come with the dead. Knowing they have no choice, the free folk agree to join the crows and travel south, but before they can, the dead arrive. In Meereen, Jorah delivers Tyrion to his Queen before being exiled for a second time.

Why so important: this display of power from the Night King spelled out just how hopelessly outmatched the Night's Watch is, and why the alliance with the Wildlings was so needed.

Episode 6.05 - The Door

A tear-jerker for sure, "The Door" saw several character deaths highlighted by that of Hodor. In a selfless act, he sacrifices himself to give Bran and Meera a slim chance at escape. And as we find out the origin of his name, we learn that the last several decades have simply been spent waiting for this moment.

Why so important: Bran becomes the Three-Eyed Raven and we are giving proof that he can affect change in the past. Additionally, Sansa is offered the Knights of Vale by Littlefinger and Euron Greyjoy comes to power at the Kingsmoot.

Episode 6.10 - The Winds of Winter

The High Sparrow really underestimated Cersei Lannister. After her incarceration and walk of shame, he probably should have expected some sort of retribution, though never could have predicted this. In a Micheal Corleone-level of efficiency, Cersei destroys all of her enemies inside the city. This results in the suicide of her son and opens the door for her to take the throne.

Why so important: Cersei is Queen, Jon's named King of the North, Dany recruits Dorne and Highgarden before setting sail for Westeros, and Arya puts an end to Walder Frey.

Episode 7.06 - Beyond the Wall

No one can overlook the sheer magnitude of fallout from this journey. Jon takes an all-star lineup of fighters north of the wall to bring back a wight in hopes of convincing Cersei to join them in the fight against the dead. Everything goes wrong though when Dany is forced to fly north and save the boys, losing a dragon in the process.

Why so important: the dragons seem like the only chance our heroes have to defeat the Night King, and the shift in power that comes with him taking one for himself is monumental.

Episode 7.07 - The Dragon and the Wolf

Nearly everybody who is anybody heads south to King's Landing for a parlay with the Queen. Once there, despite proof of the threat to the north, Cersei is ultimately unconvinced to help, making the losses suffered passed the wall all the more painful. At Winterfell, the remaining Stark kids put an end to Littlefinger's plot and his life.

Why so important: Cersei's refusal means that they gave the Night King a dragon for nothing, and Euron's ruse of cowardice will allow him to deliver the Golden Company to Westeros without warning.