The eighth and final season of Game of Thrones is standing at our doors. The finale, as we know will be a thrilling ride, and there’s nothing more I have to say about it. DB Weiss and David Benioff’s HBO adaptation of George RR Martin’s Song of Fire and Ice series of fantasy novels became an international sensation ever since the first season of the show dropped.
The show’s most significant selling point has been the unexpected twists that have shocked the audience continuously. As of now, seven seasons of the show has aired, and it is hard to remember all of them.
Game Of Thrones S1- S7 Highlights
If I talk in hours, then the complete length of the seven seasons have been around 76 hours. I don’t think people would remember everything that has happened till now. There has been so much sex, violence, political strategies, betrayal, and unexpected deaths that even hardcore fans like myself struggle to recall. Most importantly the toughest challenge is to recollect all the characters that have been a part of the show.
So, if you are looking to recap everything before watching the final season of the show, then keep reading.
Season 1
Things began when a member of Night’s Watch, who guard the Wall to the north of Westeros, comes across a White Walker, which was considered as a myth. After some time, Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark, is offered to become the new Hand of the King after “Hand of the King” Jon Arryn dies mysteriously.
Though, Ned is not interested in taking up the role despite being offered by his old friend King Robert Baratheon himself. But, the King didn’t come alone to Winterfell. He is accompanied by Queen Cersei Lannister, her twin brother, Jaime Lannister, and another brother, Tyrion Lannister. The worst among them was the son of Queen, Joffrey.
Then, the audience is left baffled when Bran Stark witnesses Jaime making love with his twin sister, Queen Cersei. Jaime shoves Bran out of the window. Somehow, the boy survives but is crippled for life. His mother, Catelyn takes care of the son by constantly sitting beside his bed. Also Jon Snow, Ned’s bastard son, says farewell to the family home. He travels to the north to join semi-monastic Night’s Watch.
The twist of the season comes when Princess Daenerys Targaryen is introduced who is about to marry barbarian warlord Khal Drogo. The marriage is arranged by Daenerys cruel brother, Viserys, who wants to claim the Iron Throne.
At the same time, in Westeros, Ned is left surprised when his wife arrives at King’s Landing. She came to inform Ned about the fact that Lannisters killed Jon Arryn. Later, Ned discovers that Joffrey isn’t Robert’s biological son, and Cersei admits that Jaime is the father of her children. Ned underestimates his enemies and is then executed.
After some time, Daenerys surprises everyone as she accepts life as the wife of Khal, who dies after sustaining a wound. Then, enters the dragon Queen with three of her dragons, which she received as the wedding gift.
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Season 2
The second season begins with a lot of drama with Tyrion taking up the role of Hand to stop Joffrey. Whereas, Robert Baratheon’s brother Stannis also has plans to deprive Joffrey of the throne. Stannis falls under the spell of his supernatural counselor, Melisandre.
During this time, we witness Robb Stark’s army progressing towards South with Jaime. Robb then sends his childhood friend, Theon Greyjoy to his family to seek an alliance with his father, but he betrays the trust and captures Winterfell.
Robb also sent his mother, Catelyn to meet Stannis’ brother Renly Baratheon. She asks him to join hands with his brother, but he refuses. An evil force sent by Melisandre then murders him. But, Catelyn and Renly’s bodyguard, Brienne of Tarth are forced to leave the place as they are accused of assassination.
Things then move on to Jon Snow, who is trying to uncover the evidence of sacrifices at the Wall. Lannister soldiers then capture Arya. She is taken to the castle of Harrenhal. Later Stannis fails to invade King’s Landing, thanks to Tyrion’s cunning use of wildfire.
Elsewhere, we see Daenerys arriving at Qarth. Though, she is imprisoned in the House of the Undying. She escapes, and fans are in for a surprise in the next season.
Season 3
The third season begins with Lannister family drama. Tyrion is demoted from his position as Hand after saving King’s Landing from Stannis by his father, Tywin. Tyrion is forced to marry Sansa, whereas Joffrey is engaged to Margaery Tyrell (Renly’s widow).
Things then move to Jon Snow, who finally encounters Wildling leader Mance Rayder. They finally agree that they have a common enemy and that’s White Walkers.
We then see Robb backs out of an arranged marriage to Roslin. This happens because he falls in love with Talisa. Despite backing out, Starks are invited to the wedding, but it is a trap set up by Roslin’s father, Lord Walder Frey.
Robb, Catelyn, and Talisa are murdered at the wedding, and Arya witnesses the killings. With most of the family members dead, Bran continues his journey to the north to find the ‘Three-Eyed Raven.’ He also discovers that he can project his mind into the body of a direwolf
Meanwhile, Daenerys’ plans to conquer the Westeros is looking strong. She receives counsel from Ser Barriston Selmy and Jorah Mormont. So, we finally witness a new power taking over the East.
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Season 4
The fourth season finally brings the journey of Joffrey to an end. His wedding doesn’t go according to the plan, and he is poisoned. Sansa also exits the King’s Landing with the help of Littlefinger, and he takes her to Lysa Arryn.
Things again take a turn when Lysa tries to kill Sansa by pushing her to a Moon Door. Though, she is saved by Little Finger and Baelish. Jaime and Brienne finally arrive back at the King’s Landing only to discover that Sansa has escaped.
At the same time, Cersei blames Tyrion for assassinating Joffrey. The case is to be decided through trial by combat. Though his champion, Oberyn Martell is defeated and Tyrion is sent to prison once again. The strange thing happened when Jaime freed his dwarf brother. Tyrion then discovers his father in bed with his mistress Shae. He executes his father and escapes from the King’s Landing.
Arya and The Hound also quit the Western continent. They witness a fight between Sandor and Brienne. Later we witness Arya crossing the Narrow Sea to study under Jaqan H’ghar.
Season 5
The fifth season begins with Stannis burning the King Beyond the Wall. Meanwhile, Jon Snow is elected leader of the Night’s Watch, but the senior members of the order do not approve it.
Then, we witness Sansa leaving the Vale with Littlefinger, who takes her to Ramsay Bolton with the intention of Sansa marrying Ramsay. This will lead to establishing a Stark back in the Winterfell.
Sansa then discovers Theon in her former family home and is tortured by the younger Bolton on her wedding night. In the meantime, Stannis arrives at the Winterfell to Bolton but is easily defeated after Stannis’ men didn’t wish to fight for the maniac.
At the King’s Landing, Cersei neutralizes her daughter-in-law, Margaery, who got married to Cersei’s younger son and king, Tommen. Soon, the talks about Cersei’s relationship with his brother Jaime reach the High Sparrow. She is then forced to enact naked walk of penance through the capital.
On the other hand, the Dragon Queen takes over the city of Meereen with her army. Though, things go out of her control when Sons of Harpy rise against her. She is helped by one of her dragons. Tyrion finally meets Daenerys and wins her trust.
In the meantime, Jon Snow and his men are attacked by the Night’s King. And, then the devastation happens as Jon Snow is killed by Alliser Thorne and several men of the Night’s Watch.
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Season 6
The biggest thing that people remember from Season 5 is Jon Snow’s death. But, not for a long time. He is brought back to life by Melisandre. After coming back from death, Jon Snow plans to reclaim Winterfell from Ramsay. He is also reunited with Sansa. In the Battle of Bastards, Ramsay is finally defeated and fed to his own dogs.
At the King’s Landing, Cersei is still humiliated with her Walk of Shame, and High Sparrow dominates King Tommen in the meantime. Later Jaime reveals that Myrcella is dead.
In the meantime, Arya leaves the House of Black and White as a champion assassin. She then avenges the death of her mother and brother by killing Walder Frey.
Bran Stark, on the other hand, studies with the Three-Eyed Raven. He is interrupted by the Night King, who kills off Three-Eyed Raven.
As the dragon flew Daenerys to Dothraki, and she is imprisoned. But, she defies the odds and becomes the leader of Dothraki. She then returns to Meereen. Theon and Yara Greyjoy steal the royal fleet from their uncle, Euron Greyjoy. They both then sail to Essos to join hands with Daenerys Targaryen.
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Season 7
Talking about the final season before the finale. Daenerys finally reaches Westeros and sets up her army camp in Dragonstone. In the meantime, Melisandre advises Daenerys to join hands with Jon Snow.
Finally, Jon Snow is invited, and he meets Daenerys at the Dragonstone. The pair comes close and make plans to defeat the Lannisters and White Walkers. They both decide to send the Unsullied to King’s Landing. They capture the Casterly Rock, but Iron Fleet arrives and destroys their ship.
On the other hand, Cersei considers a marriage proposal from Euron, who also defeats Yara and her army. During the battle with Lannisters led by Jaime, Daenerys’ dragon, Drogon is injured. Though, Jaime is intimidated by seeing the dragon and warns Cersei of Daenerys’ powers.
In the meantime, Jon and the Dragon Queen head north of the Wall to capture a White Walker. But, Jon is trapped by Night King and Daenerys comes to her rescue. In the process, she loses her dragon Viserion.
Snow and Dragon Queen head to King’s Landing to convince Cersei to join hands in battle against the White Walkers. Later, we witness the most awaited thing by fans – lovemaking between Jon and Daenerys.
In the meantime, Sansa and Arya are untied with Bran. But, things don’t go smoothly between them, and Littlefinger tries to exploit it. Soon Bran clears that it was Littlefinger who killed Jon Arryn. Sansa has no choice and has him executed. Bran also learns that Jon is not a Stark but a Targaryen.
The Night King and the White Walkers finally enter through the Wall… Now, we await what happens in Season 8.
