GoT has ended, but writing and discussing it hasn't. Below is my ranking of the seasons of this fantasy epic, from least best to best.
8. Season 5
Defining Episodes: Hardhome, The Dance of Dragons, Mother's Mercy
Main Storylines: Cersei takes power in King's Landing by giving power to the High Sparrow and his Faith Militant. Jon is elected Lord Commander and tries to negotiate peace between Wildlings and the Night's Watch. Littlefinger sells Sansa to wed Ramsay Bolton as Stannis launches an assault on the North. Arya trains in Braavos. Tyrion and Varys travel to Meereen, meeting Jorah en route. Daenerys struggles keeping the slavers and the Sons of the Harpy under control. Jaime heads to Dorne.
Season 5 is often seen as the weakest season simply due to how forgettable the first half of it is. The season was never really going to be better than the four seasons prior for several reasons: George RR Martin was no longer involved in the pre production; the source material of A Feast For Crows and Dance With Dragons are a lot weaker than the first three books; and there is a gaping whole in the show without Tywin Lannister (and at the time The Hound). This isn't to say S5 is bad; it isn't. It is mesmerising television that is more a trial for how GoT can continue without GRRM just as the show begins to overtake the book, leaving the writers to start coming up with their own ideas. This can be seen as good and bad.
The bad side is Dorne. It is a weak story in the books and here it is even worse, even if the decision to send Jaime there does make sense. It is sloppy, badly executed and badly written. It undermines a lot of potentially cool characters like Areo Hotah too. The religious storyline in King's Landing is also a drag, and the slave masters story in Meereen gets tiresome.
However, I actually got behind the writers' idea of putting Sansa in Winterfell, putting her in a place to exact revenge. The story at the Wall is great; Stannis leaves to attack Winterfell as new Lord Commander Jon heads to Hardhome and also into one of the greatest sequences in the show. But the strength of S5 largely lies in its brutal final three episodes. It is perhaps the show's most grim and doom and gloom set of episodes, but there is still a lot of greatness to be found.
7. Season 8
Defining Episodes: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Long Night, The Iron Throne
Main Storylines: Jon, Daenerys and their cohorts fight the Army of the Dead before taking the war to Cersei in King's Landing.
Season 8 is to television what The Last Jedi is to movies. Both caused deep, unfixable fissures in their respectively gigantic fandoms (there are also similarities in that whilst both had the visual / cinematography / music / direction aspects praised, the writing and 'subversions' were heavily criticised). It is tough to compare a streamlined six episode season with a more sprawling ten episode season, but in terms of where it begins and where it ends, and how entertaining it is along the way, I would name this higher than S5. The entirety of this season is essentially made up by David and Dan (D & D) on a very vague outline by GRRM. Which is why they are getting the same stick as Rian Johnson did for The Last Jedi. S8 does have a lot of strengths: the acting, action, direction, visuals, camera work, production design, pyrotechnics, stunt work, make-up, costumes and music are outstanding, pushing the bar for filmmaking as a whole. But the writing is admittedly weak. Generally the consensus is 'I don't mind the choices that characters make, I do mind the lack of build up to get to those choices'. Six episodes was not enough, I would've preferred another episode between 3 and 4 as the focus shifts towards Daenerys. If that had been done, and a few changes to Jaime's story and the sack of King's Landing, this probably would be a lot higher up. I will rewatch this set of six a lot; I think there are some fantastic scenes and moments throughout that just lack the intelligent stitching together that made Thrones the power show to begin with. I do also have issues with the numbers of Unsullied and Dothraki depicted post episode 3.
But whilst I can nitpick this season to bits, I do love so much of it. Episode 3 'The Long Night' is stunning and relentless and well sustained, with the final ten minutes being my favourite sequence across all 73 episodes. The second episode is a heartwarming sendoff to a bunch of characters, spending time together as if it is their last night with one another. Podrick's song is chillingly beautiful and Brienne being knighted is poignant and satisfying. And character arc aside, nobody can deny that the sack and destruction of King's Landing is a technical tour de force and Cleganebowl is as epic a confrontation as can be. And the final twenty minutes of the final episode is unbelievably emotionally powerful. You can hate and argue away, but was GoT ever truly going to end up to your lofty expectations?
6. Season 7
Defining Episodes: The Spoils of War, Beyond the Wall, The Dragon and the Wolf
Main Storylines: Bran and Arya return to Winterfell as Sansa rules. Daenerys lands at Dragonstone and begins her war for the Iron Throne against Cersei. Jon meets Daenerys in the hopes of gaining an ally to fight the White Walkers. Sam Tarly saves Jorah Mormont and heads back North. Euron Greyjoy joins Cersei and helps lead several key victories. The Wall falls.
For the diehard book fans, Season 7 was the beginning of the end for GoT. It is all original material and some logic gaps and plot holes wrinkled noses before S8 fully made some throw up. But again, I have no overall problems with this season except the time jumps. I'm sure if you sat down and detailed all the things going on and where characters move about that there could be some excuse as to how Westeros seems to have shrunk. Or you could just focus on the intense pacing, intriguing character meet ups and action spectacle. The first four episodes are dedicated to Daenerys' war with Cersei. There is a naval skirmish, the taking of Casterly Rock and then Highgarden and the fiery Battle of the Goldroad (I refuse to call it the Loot Train Battle). The second half of the season, episodes 5,6,7, are dedicated to getting ready to defeat the approaching Night King, which sees an elite suicide squad of fan favourites go beyond the wall to capture a Wight. It seems silly but it is class entertainment and the battle on the ice lake remains my favourite action scene of the show. S7 does skimp on the death (we only lose Littlefinger, Olenna Tyrell and the Sand Snakes) and loses a lot of its political scheming until the finale. It may be more 'Hollywoodised' but as spectacle and character goes, it is a strong and largely consistent season, let down a little by how small Westeros now feels.
5. Season 3
Defining Episodes: Kissed by Fire, Second Sons, The Rains of Castamere
Main Storylines: The War of the Five King continues. Robb Stark loses allies and has to seek help from the Freys. Jon infiltrates the Wildlings and falls in love with Ygritte whilst a mutiny occurs in the Night's Watch. Arya encounters the Brotherhood Without Banners and the Hound. Tywin rules from King's Landing and weds Tyrion to Sansa. Daenerys conquers Astapor and Yunkai, gaining the Unsullied.
When it comes to getting friends and family into the show, the season you want them all to finish is season 3. Because S3 has the Red Wedding and as a moment of television, as a twist, as a series of brutal deaths it is impossible to beat. Now I'm not saying that one unflinching sequence is why S3 is higher than the others, but it comes close enough. S3 follows book 3 closely as the War of the Five Kings loses momentum. In comparison to seasons 6,7,8 it seems this is a 'quieter' set of episodes in that it only has a few big moments: Daenerys' 'Dracarys' and employment of the Unsullied being one of them, and Jon and co. climbing the Wall perhaps the other. But S3 has so much fascinating character work. Tyrion's loss of power in the capital is strangely heartfelt, whilst Jaime telling Brienne about killing King Aerys to save King's Landing from wildfire is Thrones at its most quintessential. Episode 5 'Kissed by Fire' is a severely underrated episode; it has that scene as well as Jon breaking his vows with Ygritte, the Hound's trial against Beric, Robb's execution of Karstark... A bunch of great moments.
But wiping out the 'good guys' and their entire army in one smooth stroke is masterfully done and will always be a defining moment of the show.
4. Season 6
Defining Episodes: The Door, Battle of the Bastards, The Winds of Winter
Main Storylines: After being resurrected, Jon and Sansa plan to take back Winterfell from the Boltons. Bran Stark learns the history of Westeros with the Three Eyed Raven. Cersei Lannister is put on trial by the Faith Militant. Jaime Lannister negotiates the surrender of Riverrun. Arya finishes her training in Braavos. Tyrion governs Meereen before Daenerys returns with the Dothraki.
Season 6 was the last of the ten episode seasons, and it uses that length to its advantage one last time. The pieces are still scattered and characters divided, but S6 begins bringing them all together ready for the final two seasons. Tyrion governing in Meereen gives that location a narrative boost and Daenerys, isolated from both dragons and guards, takes power by herself and earns an entire khalasar of Dothraki to return with. Bran's visions and history lessons at the weirwood tree are interesting, especially the Tower of Joy flashback. Seeing Ser Arthur Dayne fight for several minutes proves a wonder to behold; doing the character justice and giving us my favourite sword fight of the show. Inevitably Jon Snow comes back to life and reunites with Sansa as they begin rallying support. Cersei's story in King's Landing is mixed; watching the zombie Mountain kill is awesome but the High Sparrow and his zealots are so bloody boring. It does have weak episodes (1,3,4,6,7,8 are more average instalments) but episode 5 'The Door' is so emotional it could be described as psychological trauma as Hodor sacrifices himself (does this make him Kingsguard?). Then comes episode 9 and 10, both directed by the superb Miguel Sapochnik in the greatest one-two punch of the show. The Battle of the Bastards is a cinematic master class and The Winds of Winter is a taut and rewarding finale. In these two episodes everything is ready for the finale and characters are where they need to be. To echo Gandalf, "the board is set, the pieces are moving."
3. Season 2
Defining Episodes: The Ghost of Harrenhal, The Old Gods and the New, Blackwater
Main Storylines: Stannis Baratheon enters the game as King Robert's true heir, preparing his siege on King's Landing where Tyrion has just become Hand of the King. Daenerys and her baby dragons are hosted at Qarth. Jon journeys beyond the Wall to scout the Wildling army. Robb Stark, Renly Baratheon, Balon Greyjoy and Joffrey Baratheon also all vie for power. Arya travels with a group of Night's Watch recruits and serves as Tywin Lannister's cupbearer at Harrenhal. Theon Greyjoy takes Winterfell.
If Season 2 had the budget of the seventh season, it would feature multiple onscreen battles throughout as the War of the Five Kings tears through the landscape. Thankfully it doesn't, as this would detract from later battle sequences and instead we get another strong character season. Jon Snow is great throughout season 5, Ned Stark is great in season 1, Oberyn is exhilarating in season 4- but if any character absolutely owns a season it is Tyrion here. In the first episode he waddles into the capital as Hand of the King and watching him play the game is hilarious: dismissing Janos Slynt, ratting out and arresting Pycelle, installing Bronn and the hill tribes as his soldiers and berating Joffrey throughout. Peter Dinklage just inhabits Tyrion. Then there's 'Blackwater', the penultimate episode that gives us that wildfire explosion and Tyrion's rousing call to arms. This was when GoT fused character and wit with serious movie style VFX, announcing itself as a television force to be reckoned with. 'Blackwater' will, for me, always be the show's biggest achievement in writing.
Tyrion aside, S2 has some solid twists and plots. Stannis assassinating Renly provides the 'big' death of the season, whilst Theon betraying the Stark cause sets in motion seasons of punishments later on. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gets to sink his teeth into some of Jaime's best scenes and Jon's adventures beyond the wall is another favourite storyline. With the loss of Ned Stark, who was the show's main actor, S2 switches things up, playing more to the ensemble and giving Tyrion the spotlight.
Also worthy of mention is another deviation from the novels where Arya serves Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal. It's a smart move and their scenes together are riveting, with Maisie Williams ably standing up to Charles Dance. One of these, involving Littlefinger, ranks among the most suspenseful across eight seasons.
2. Season 1
Defining Episodes: Winter is Coming, You Win or You Die, Baelor
Main Storylines: Ned Stark is appointed Hand of the King and investigates the death of previous Hand Jon Arryn. Jon Snow joins the Night's Watch. Viserys Targaryen weds his sister Daenerys to Khal Drogo. Catelyn Stark imprisons Tyrion as the clouds of war begin to fall on Westeros.
Season 1 has aged like cheese, or wine. After S6/7 I would've had S1 a bit lower but post the ending of Thrones, this set of ten episodes has proved rewarding and, with hindsight, is a truly stunning achievement. It is enthralling and intriguing and mysterious; mapping out the many locations and characters with pin point precision. Despite all the narrative heavy lifting to be done, it still finds time for wit and comedy and intense ultra violence. Ned Stark's investigation into Jon Arryn's death, and his own eventual downfall is horrible to rewatch, you see his mistakes and missed opportunities and it is agonising; just as GRRM intended. King's Landing is the place to be this season, but Tyrion's adventures around Westeros are entertaining and Daenerys and Khal Drogo make for a strangely watchable couple. It's the season of incest, sex, beheadings, more sex, Robert Baratheon being an absolute unit and the height of political machinations. Few images are as iconic as the finale's closing shot, as an unburnt and nude Daenerys arises, three baby dragons around her.
Eight years later and seven seasons later and S1 is still getting the payoff it originally planted. It's where it all began and of all the seasons is most rewarding on a rewatch.
1. Season 4
Defining Episodes: The Laws of Gods and Men, The Mountain and the Viper, The Children
Main Storylines: Tyrion Lannister is imprisoned and put on trial as Oberyn Martell enters the game, looking for vengeance. Daenerys Targaryen conquers and rules Slaver's Bay. The Night's Watch prepare for battle against the Wildling armies of Mance Raydar. Arya Stark and the Hound wonder war torn Westeros whilst Sansa heads to the Vale with Littlefinger.
I don't see how people could argue Season 4 isn't the best season. It just is. It has the breakneck pacing of S7/8 but across ten episodes and is filled with twists and reveals, deaths and deep conversations. It is easily the most consistent when evaluating its episodes, which I will now do. Episode 1: Oberyn arrives in town, Arya and the Hound wipe out a pub of soldiers, Jaime seeks out his family. Episode 2: Joffrey dies! Episode 3: Daenerys arrives in Meereen and Daario gets that sweet kill! Episode 4: Olenna admits to killing Joffrey, Dany conquers Meereen, Jaime knows Tyrion is innocent and sets Brienne off with a new sword and Podrick. Episode 5: Jon takes out the mutineers. Episode 6: Tyrion's trial! Episode 7: Littlefinger takes power in the Vale by murdering Lysa Arryn, Oberyn volunteers to be Tyrion's champion, Hot Pie makes a welcome return. Episode 8: the Wildlings attack Mole's Town, Sansa plays the game, Theon secures Moat Cailin, Oberyn fights the Mountain... Episode 9: the Battle of Castle Black. Episode 10: Tyrion kills Tywin, the Hound fights Brienne, Arya leaves Westeros, Bran gets to his destination, Stannis arrives at the Wall.
Now how's that for big moments. And then remember all the scenes with the Hound and Arya, Jaime and Tyrion's scenes and the fantastic deaths we get of named and unnamed characters. For me, S4 was the sweet synthesis of thoughtful writing and massive scale and action. There are too many MVPs to count but for being an absolute one-season-wonder, Oberyn Martell has to be it.
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