Esquire SG

Pivotal moments that made Game of Thrones into what it is today

Choices hammer a story into its form.

Words By
The secret union of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen will lead to the birth of Jon Snow. The scandal will cause ripples throughout the kingdom. But it paints Jon Snow as the rightful ruler by blood and law, which will be a threat to Daenerys' claim to the Iron Throne in the future.
This started Bran's journey into becoming the Three-Eyed Raven. If he wasn't paralysed, he would have gone to King's Landing instead of recuperating at Winterfell. Without a paralysed Bran, he wouldn't have the aide of Hodor.
Done in by a wild boar. Robert Baratheon's death gives Cersei an opening to take control, which leads us to...
Ned Stark's execution. Ned's death, along with Robert Baratheon's will usher in the War of the Five Kings (Joffery, Stannis and Renly [Robert's younger brothers], Robb Stark and Balon Greyjoy).
The relationship started out rocky but it soon calmed. Alas, happiness is short-lived as Khal Drogo falls into a coma due to a festering wound. Daenerys puts her husband out of his misery by smothering him. This is Daenerys first big act of letting go.
After tying her husband's killer to the stake and setting her on fire, Daenerys enters the pyre. She emerges, unscathed, and with three newly born baby dragons.
Invited to the marriage feast of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey; Robb Stark, along with his wife, Queen Talisa, his mother, Lady Catelyn and his bannermen, didn't expect to be victims of a massacre. The 'Red Wedding' effectively ended the conflict between House Stark and House Lannister. For his part in the massacre, Roose Bolton, is awarded the title of Warden of the North. The incident also forces Arya to seek revenge on House Frey.
Samwell Tarly, in possession of a dragonglass spearhead, stabs at a White Walker that was pursuing Gilly's baby. This was the moment that Samwell knew the effect that dragonglass has against the Wights.
Although treated as a close family friend, Theon betrays Robb to aid his father in invading the North. In wresting Winterfell from Bran Stark, Theon is eventually betrayed by his own men. This betrayal led to his capture by House Bolton and subsequent torture by Ramsay Bolton.
Daenerys liberates Slaver's Bay. Its success secures Daenerys's reputation and the addition of the Unsullied before she sails for the Iron Throne.
The Battle of Blackwater saw the defeat of Stannis Baratheon. House Tyrell (who aided King Joffrey) allied with House Lannister to become the largest faction in the War of the Five Kings.
Tried for the assassination of King Joffrey, Tyrion Lannister, lambasts the kangaroo court and opts for trial by combat. Oberyn Martell, from House Martell, volunteered to fight on Tyrion's behalf against Ser Gregor Clegane. He lost and Tyrion is sentenced to death. Jaime frees Tyrion from prison and while on the run, Tyrion kills his lover and his father, Tywin. Tywin's death leaves House Lannister open to disarray. Cersei would fill his role as Queen Regent.
After being murdered by his own men, a once-deceased Jon Snow is revived by Melisandre. Jon's revival fulfils part of the Azor Ahai or the Prince that was Promised prophecies.
Even after much mental and physical abuse, Theon finally broke free from his Stockholm mindset to rescue Sansa. After surviving a perilous leap into the waters, Theon and Sansa is later rescued by Ser Brienne of Tarth and Podrick.
Using his warging powers, Brans uncovers the past but his efforts attract the attention of the White Walkers. With the enemies at the door, Hodor holds the door to the back exit, allowing Bran and Meera times to escape. During the exodus, Bran inadvertently wargs into a younger Hodor and links past-Hodor and present-Hodor. The mind-meld is too much for past-Hodor, who continues to mutter Meera's shouting ("Hold the door") that soon becomes his appellation. Meanwhile, the present-Hodor continues to hold the door and ultimately sacrifices himself to the wights.
Cersei kills two birds (her trial and her enemies) with one stone (lots of wildfire). But the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor takes another victim—King Tommen—who upon hearing that his wife, Margaery, was one of the many casualties, kills himself. Although distraught, Cersei is later crowned Queen.
Arya cements her decision to leave the House of Black and White by killing the Waif and casting off her 'nameless identity'. Arya returns to Westeros.
It was a bloody battle that saw no end to the night. Humanity is ultimately saved when Arya killed the Night King. With a diminished army, Daenerys marches towards King's Landing to claim her throne.
Even with the surrender of Cersei's army, Daenerys forged ahead, razing King's Landing and killing many innocents.
To prevent further catastrophe, Jon Snow had to kill Daenerys. Her death ushered in a new order, one that's fronted by Bran Stark as the new ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
Through a vote among the council, Bran is crowned King of Westeros. His impotency means that 'rulers will not be born' but will be, instead, chosen by the council.

The tale of Game of Thrones is serpentine and multi-limbed. But before its foregone conclusion, the narrative is shaped by characters' decisions and forces out of their control. Who can forget the revelation of Jon Snow's parentage or the death of Shireen? Remember the origins of the Night King?

All these and more are what makes the show so riveting. We invite you to take a trip down memory lane at some of the pivotal moments that made Game of Thrones into what it is today.

More Galleries

Top Stories

Most Engaged Stories

GET THE INSIDE WORD

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and recommendations from the Esquire team—what we’re wearing, reading, watching, drinking, eating, and listening to in Singapore and abroad.