In a time of trial by combat and countless battles, Game of Thrones has no shortage of epic fights. Whether it’s a huge battle with thousands or just one on one, the show has delivered some amazing fighting. We’ve looked back on the past seven seasons, and compiled a list of our top 5 fights.
5. Khal Drogo vs. Mago – Season 1, Episode 10 – ‘Fire and Blood’
Basically, what amounts to a disgruntled employee, the short but deadly fight is between Drogo and his subordinate, Mago. Mago is upset that he doesn’t get the usual spoils after a raid and mouths off to Drogo. Drogo isn’t having any of it and challenges Mago. Holding his blade to Drogo’s chest, barely piercing it, a ballsy act of defiance is also met with defiance when Drogo leans into it. Drogo doesn’t realise the cost of his actions though, since his wound becomes infected and he is never the same after it. Sad to think that such an amazing warrior can be erased because there are no antibiotics in Westeros. Unfortunately for the droves of women (and men) that loved watching Jason Momoa play the brute leader, he never recovered from his injury.
4. Battle of the Bastards – Season 6, Episode 9 – ‘Battle of the Bastards’
Jon Snow leading his men into a battle against Ramsay Bolton where they knew they were outnumbered was terrifying enough. It was the Stark bastard taking on the Bolton bastard, and while we didn’t get the one on one battle that Jon Snow was hoping for, it was a cinematic masterpiece of Snow’s troops prematurely advancing to the most unfortunate position of being surrounded by the psychopath Ramsay’s men. Watching them close in, inch by inch to slowly suffocate the troops, with Snow being dead centre was almost too much to watch. Littlefinger thankfully comes to save the day at the request of Sansa and Jon lives to fight another day. Too bad the same cannot be said of poor Rickon, who should have learned to zig or zag…
3. Brienne of Tarth vs. The Hound – Season 4, Episode 10 – ‘The Children’
The lady giant, Brienne, driven by her promise to find and protect the Stark sisters, Sansa and Arya, happen upon the Hound and Arya in the rocky countryside. Arya quietly slips away and neither ends up with her, but that doesn’t matter to the two; swords are drawn and they have a go at each other. They both possess some serious skills with their swords but on this day Brienne gets the best of the Hound and he ends up falling off some high rocks and looks like he’s about to meet his maker. He ends up living though, to fight another day. Hopefully he’ll heal and be ready to take on his brother in Season 8 at some point, because the world needs to see the Hound and the Mountain in the battle of the century.
2. Bronn vs. Drogon – Season 7, Episode 4 – ‘The Spoils of War’
There’s nothing like attempting to take down a dragon, but Bronn sees his opportunity and goes for it. For someone who only is in it for the castle, Bronn seems to enjoy taking risks and placing his life in danger on a daily basis. He goes where the money is, but still manages to exude the charm and qualities of a loved character. He sees his chance during the battle and takes aim at the flying beast. His first shot misses, but he lands his second and Dany’s child goes down. He also saves Jaime moments later. Jaime sees his moment to have a go at the beast, but it is ill timed and he almost gets himself barbequed if not for Bronn, who is turning out to be the best friend a man can have at his side.
1. The Mountain vs. Prince Oberyn – Season 4, Episode 8 – ‘The Mountain and the Viper’
The entire purpose of Oberyn Martell’s existence seems to be to have orgies and wait for the moment he can avenge his sister’s rape and then murder along with her children. He takes on the task of being Tyrion’s champion in a trial by combat against the Mountain who represents the throne. Not concerned about the issue of whether or not Tyrion is guilty or innocent, he just wants a go at the Mountain. It is more show than fight with Oberyn monologuing through the whole affair.
And just when you think Oberyn has finally avenged his sister and family’s deaths, the Mountain is flat on his back, Tyrion will be freed, and right wins this day, he slips on a banana peel. Well, actually it’s the Mountain who trips him, but the fall is almost comical, and he goes down. It is enough though for the Mountain to gain the upper hand and he literally pops the arrogant Oberyn’s head off. Nice.
What have been your favourite fights so far? What fights are you looking forward to in Season 8? Tell us in the comments.
Hardhome should have definitely been on this list, an amazing sequence that really showed for the first time how screwed the living are.