Ranking Every Game of Thrones Season: The Ultimate Guide from Worst to Best!

Reflecting on it now, many viewers believe that the quality of Game of Thrones gradually dropped over time, but this was not always apparent while the show was airing. Despite a disappointing finale, many still considered the series an achievement until the last season. With hindsight, perspective, and honest critique, we can now evaluate each aspect of this TV juggernaut more objectively, identifying the elements that contributed to its successes and failures, ultimately leading to its eventual demise. Dissecting the chaos can be intriguing, and it may even spark fresh theories about the conclusion of George R.R. Martin’s book series, A Song of Ice and Fire.

The television series “Game of Thrones” ran for eight seasons on HBO, spanning a period of eight years, which is quite a challenge for such an expansive production. At the end, author George R.R. Martin stated that the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, decided to conclude it at that point, against his own and HBO’s wishes. Martin speculated that the series might have continued for up to 12 seasons, but Benioff and Weiss “yearned for a different lifestyle.” Actor Kit Harington later explained in an interview that due to the intense demands of the show, it likely couldn’t have lasted any longer than it did.

Without a doubt, everyone’s aware that the number of seasons wasn’t the sole problem with “Game of Thrones.” The storyline had its ups and downs, and fans frequently judge these based on when it followed George R.R. Martin’s books, when it veered off course, and when it ran out of content to adapt. Interestingly, the showrunners departed from Martin’s narrative well before they exhausted the books to adapt. Below, we delve into how this led to their missteps throughout all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones,” ranked for your reading pleasure.

8) Season 8

It’s likely not shocking that the eighth season of Game of Thrones, the series finale, ends up at the bottom. Many viewers found the ending unsatisfying, and it left quite a few hearts broken along the way. Originally planned for ten episodes, this shortened season consisted only of six, which proved insufficient to cover all the storylines that needed resolution. Even if each episode was extended beyond an hour, it still wouldn’t have been enough.

The storyline was essentially divided into two segments: initially, the White Walker saga was hurriedly wrapped up, followed swiftly by the power struggle for the Iron Throne. While these events may have been based on George R.R. Martin’s original plan, they appear to diverge significantly from the narrative themes that had been established previously. The mysterious and complex nature of the White Walkers, as well as their hidden motives, remained largely unexplored; instead, the show presented this battle as a righteous one without any political subtleties whatsoever. This abrupt transition left us feeling jarred as we quickly moved south to witness one of our main characters, Daenerys, transform from a hero into a villain and tyrant with astonishing speed.

Instead of merely pointing out the major events, this season also delved into some disheartening character endings, such as Jaime Lannister’s reversed redemption journey, the “Clegane Bowl,” and the shattering of Sansa Stark’s heart and her essence. I could elaborate extensively on Season 8 for countless paragraphs, but for this list, it suffices to label it as the most disappointing season of the series.

7) Season 7

Reflecting back, it’s undeniable that Season 7 and Season 8 were quite similar in terms of quality for me as a devoted cinema enthusiast. The compressed episode count was certainly a factor that affected the show’s overall impact, making it seem like everything was being hurriedly put together for the final episode.

While watching each new episode during its airing, the anticipation of the unknown ending kept things engaging. However, it now feels as if all the intriguing setups were merely a prelude without any substantial payoff.

For instance, we never delved deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Walkers, their magic, or their influence on the wight dragon. The eldritch terrors driving Euron Greyjoy’s ambitions remained unexplored, and sadly, we missed out on joining Bran in his eerie communion with the Three-Eyed Raven’s shared consciousness.

In this television series, the absence or alteration of certain characters and storylines from the original books can be particularly noticeable during specific seasons. For instance, in George R.R. Martin’s books, Beric Dondarrion transfers his miraculous life force to Catelyn Stark’s corpse, creating “Lady Stoneheart.” However, since this plotline wasn’t developed in the show, we instead see an unusual group of men traveling north of The Wall without a clear purpose.

Similarly, another character from Martin’s books who claims to be Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, Aegon, is another contender for the Iron Throne. Since the show chose not to include him, any significance his story might have had is distributed among characters like Cersei and Daenerys, while the absence of his tale is quite evident.

6) Season 5

From my perspective, I’d like to deviate from the usual chronological approach and delve into Season 5 instead. By this point, the series seems to stray further and further from Martin’s books, and I find myself ranking Season 5 slightly below Season 6 for a specific alteration that leaves me frustrated: Jaime and Bronn’s adventure in Dorne. This storyline bears little resemblance to the Dornish plot as outlined in Martin’s books – if anything, it feels more like a caricature. Additionally, this detour pulls Jaime away from the compelling narrative unfolding in the Riverlands where his presence would be pivotal.

In the current season, there was much criticism about the graphic portrayal of marital sexual violence involving Sansa and Ramsay Bolton, which differed from the books where Jeyne Poole, a friend of Sansa’s childhood, was married to Ramsay in disguise as Arya. However, less attention is given to the character development of Jon Snow, where the show’s portrayal of him as overly stoic marks a significant shift from his character in Martin’s books, with the dying man in the snow at the end of the season being a stark contrast to his previous death scene in the books.

5) Season 6

The finale of “Game of Thrones” surprised many viewers as it dealt with the show’s escalating narrative problems by emphasizing visual grandeur, and none more so than Season 6. In retrospect, you may recall this period for episodes like “The Door,” “Battle of the Bastards,” and “Blood of My Blood.” It wasn’t coincidental, but upon closer examination, these plotlines raise some significant questions. For instance, Sansa’s swift mobilization of the Vale and simultaneous coordination with Jon seems implausible, and Dany’s second instance of surviving fire could have provided a valuable chance for introspection and character growth.

4) Season 4

I find myself regretting that I ranked Season 4 so low, given my deep affection for “The Watchers on the Wall.” The season did introduce some concerning deviations from the books, and initially, it appeared these were strategic choices. There are numerous highlights: Tyrion’s trial, Oberyn versus The Mountain, Brienne’s duel with The Hound, and the Purple Wedding. Despite their brilliance, they fall just shy of the awe-inspiring moments that await in later seasons on my list.

3) Season 2

The heart of both “Game of Thrones” and “A Song of Ice and Fire” revolves around the “War of the Five Kings,” and in my opinion, Season 2 is as close to perfection as it gets. Here, young King Robb Stark from the North skillfully outwits the experienced Tywin Lannister, Jaime Lannister tantalizes us with a redemption journey he will eventually abandon, and we witness Jon Snow uncovering the shared humanity between himself and his supposed adversaries.

One of the main storylines that seemed to miss the mark this season is Daenerys’. Her journey into the distant east, filled with peculiar experiences, was a key part of the narrative, but unfortunately, the TV series didn’t fully capture these events as they deserved. This could be an early indication that the show might struggle to portray the magical aspects of the story effectively.

2) Season 3

Among many impressive scenes in Season 3, what stands out is the Red Wedding, which elevated the series to television greatness. It’s challenging to envision another show managing such an unexpected twist with the same impact.

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you, this season has been an unending rollercoaster ride! From Jon Snow scaling The Wall, to Jaime valiantly rescuing Brienne of Tarth from a fearsome bear, and not forgetting Daenerys setting the Unsullied free. But if there’s one scene that stands out as timeless, it’s Dany declaring fiercely to the people of Astapor: “A dragon is not a slave.

1) Season 1

To put it simply, no other series can rival the allure and potential of the first season of “Game of Thrones”. The initial ten episodes beautifully illustrated the incredible possibilities of this format for an adaptation of an epic fantasy novel, even before the budget grew and dragons began to fly. This season also introduced a plot twist that distinguishes it from other medieval fantasies – the execution of Eddard Stark. The shocking beheading of the seemingly central character in episode nine remains one of the most impactful twists this show has ever executed, whether we recognize it or not. Meanwhile, following the transformation of another character from a timid, ordinary girl into a powerful dragon queen left us eager for more to come.

Despite the recent controversy surrounding its finale, I must admit that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Game of Thrones. The series, currently streaming on Max, offers a wealth of unforgettable scenes, and it’s also available on DVD and Blu-ray if you prefer physical media. For those who enjoy reading the books first, George R.R. Martin’s works are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats. And, excitingly, the next installment is expected soon!

2025-03-23 01:13