You’re not a true Game of Thrones fan unless you’ve re-watched at least some of the episodes. Some fans have even decided to re-watch the entire series. However, 7 seasons of ten hour-long episodes (sometimes longer than that) is a lot to take before the premiere of season 8. Luckily for us, Game of Thrones co-executive producer and writer Bryan Cogman is here to help.
There are 21 episodes you need to watch before starting season 8, Cogman writes in Entertainment Weekly.
Warning: Spoilers ahead! Here’s What Happened In The First Episode Of The Final Season Of Game Of Thrones
Though Cogman takes the time to comment on each and every one of the episodes, I have a few things to say here and there. His insight is interesting, as he’s credited as a writer on many of the episodes, which you can check out here. Without further ado, here’s what we have to say:
1 – “WINTER IS COMING” (Season 1, Episodes 1)
2 – “THE KINGSROAD” (Season 1, Episode 2)
The episodes that started it all, from the death of Jon Arryn, to a shocking end in episode one. Cogman calls this a “double feature” and recommends that you watch these together as “much of Episode 1 is devoted to simply meeting the various characters and understanding the world of the show. Episode 2 really makes you care.” “Oh,”, he adds “and Ep 2 is the one where Tyrion slaps Joffrey (not for the last time).”
3- “BAELOR” (Season 1, Episode 9)
We still can’t get over this episode. Beside how we know what happens in this episode (Ned Stark 4eva) , I would say this episode changes the entire show. While it starts out as a whodunit to try to find out who killed Jon Arryn, Game of Thrones turns into a war story, not a detective story. After that, every other character’s arch spirals into chaos and everyone is left alone to figure out just what the hell they’re going to do.
Read more: Take One Last Look At The Entire GoT Cast Before The Season Finale
@hollywoodmena
4 – “FIRE AND BLOOD” (Season 1, Episode 10)
“Baby dragons. Need I say more?” Cogman has a point.
5 – “WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE” (Season 2, Episode 3)
Cogman is credited as writer of this episode and says he is “particularly proud of the sequence where Tyrion plays the various council members against each other and roots out a spy.” Also, he says, it’s the episode in which we all meet Brienne!
@bjornirondick
6 – “THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW” (Season 2, Episode 6)
Enter Ygritte and then: “WHERE ARE MY DRAGONS????”
7 – “BLACKWATER” (Season 2, Episode 9)
A landmark episode. This is the first episode to feature a huge battle and it was written by George RR Martin himself.
@movie.scope
8 – WALK OF PUNISHMENT (Season 3, Episode 3)
@lingofreaks
9 – “AND NOW HIS WATCH IS ENDED” (Season 3, Episode 4)
10 – “KISSED BY FIRE” (Season 3, Episode 5)
11 – “THE RAINS OF CASTAMERE” (Season 3, Episode 9)
This episode is so significant. We still weren’t over Ned’s death when this happened. How could we have been so naive? Cogman himself says that it changed “everything —both for the story and for the life of the show. I’ll never forget the experience of shooting that scene (more or less in sequence) over the course of a week. Michelle Fairley performed her final, gut-wrenching moments with 100 percent commitment during every single rehearsal and every single take — even when the camera wasn’t on her.”
Don’t miss: Game of Thrones Will Get Its Own Documentary Following Its Final Season
@movie.scope
12 – “THE LAWS OF GODS AND MEN” (Season 4, Episode 6)
After the last episode Cogman makes a huge jump to the middle of the next season. He skips over 7 episodes and with it some major plot points but, oh well, this episode is pretty good as well, it’s the one with Tyrion’s trial, as Cogman’s call it.
@bjornirondick
13 – THE MOUNTAIN AND THE VIPER (Season 4, Episode 8)
Just when you thought Game of Thrones couldn’t get more shocking, we get a one-on-one between The Mountain and Oberyn Martell. He is such a memorable character, and no one will ever forget how this ended.
@setimacabine
14 – “THE CHILDREN” (Season 4, Episode 10)
“Far too many iconic scenes and sequences to list here.” Great, let it roll!
@movie.scope
15 – “HARDHOME” (Season 5, Episode 8)
“Remember the White Walkers? They’re BAAAACK.”
16 – “THE DOOR” (Season 6, Episode 5)
“Hold the door. Hold the— (dissolves into sobs)”
@movie.scope
17 – “BATTLE OF THE BASTARDS” (Season 6, Episode 9)
Cogman gives credit to Kit Harington and the cast and crew, but as a viewer, I would also say it’s the best battle sequence on television of all time. It may also be the best episode in the entire series, at least visually.
@mintygriff
18 – “THE WINDS OF WINTER” (Season 6, Episode 10)
In terms of the story, Cogman wonders whether this episode could “be the definitive episode of GoT.” I disagree, but he has a point: “It’s got just about everything: Jon becomes King in the North (and we learn the truth about his parentage), Cersei blows up the Sept of Baelor and takes the Iron Throne, and Dany finally sets sail for Westeros. Boom! Another tour de force from Miguel Sapochnik… and it’s far from his last (insert second evil laugh here).”
@movie.scope
19 – “THE QUEEN’S JUSTICE” (Season 7, Episode 3)
“This episode has three blockbusters in that vein,” says Cogman. “Jon and Dany meeting for the first time,” Cersei’s revenge on Ellaria, and Lady Olenna saying “tell Cersei it was me” before drinking the poison.
@bjornirondick
20 – “THE SPOILS OF WAR” (Season 7, Episode 4
@bjornirondick
21 – “THE DRAGON AND THE WOLF” (Season 7, Episode 7)
This is the scene where many of the living main characters come together in the same space. The ones that don’t (Sansa, Arya, and Bran) unite to bring us a surprise against Littlefinger. Oh and then there’s that nude scene at the end, which is major.
@ingoheiseWhat will happen next? What are your bets? We can’t wait!
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