'Game of Thrones': The 6 Best Action Sequences

6. Stannis vs. King’s Landing

It was the sellsword Bronn who fired the arrow laced with wildfire that kicked off the Battle of the Blackwater, the show’s first stab at a giant-scale battle sequence, and also the first of many times that the would-be king Stannis Baratheon has had his rear end handed to him. The fact that the fight took place at night allowed director Neil Marshall to hide some of the less impressive digital effects, while also fostering an atmosphere of breathless tension that had us wanting to follow Joffrey’s lead and flee the frontlines. Blackwater was the place where Game of Thrones planted its flag as a first-rate purveyor of fantasy spectacle.

5. The Bear vs. the Maiden Fair

 

Despite being experienced brawlers, Brienne of Tarth and Jaime Lannister spend the majority of this fight trying to avoid their furry opponent. But can you blame them? That bear is a freakin’ giant! (To be fair, Brienne actually does try to fight the beast, swatting him with her wooden sword. It’s Jaime who favors the “Run away!” strategy.) And even though this behind-the-scenes video makes it clear that no actual bears — or people — were harmed in the making of this sequence, it’s harrowing enough to put you off all bear-related entertainments, from Yogi Bear to the Country Bear Jamboree.

4. Syrio Forel vs. Lannister Enforcers

 

It takes a true master of the blade to defeat a host of opponents with a training sword. That’s the kind of schooling that master swordsman Syrio, provides Arya Stark, in what turns out to be her final lesson. Of course, wood can only defend against steel for so long; the brave Forel eventually falls beneath Ser Meryn Trant’s onslaught. Arya is long gone by then, but she reserves a special place for him on her kill list going forward.

3. The Wildlings vs. the Wall

 

They may be a ragtag bunch compared to the well-armed, well-defended legions of the Night’s Watch, but the Wildling army makes for a formidable opponent, precisely because they have nothing to lose. Just watch them attack that 700-foot wall of ice, with human-sized soldiers scaling its towering heights like a jungle gym — trying to dodge obstacles like giant scythes — while giants break through the gates that rest at its base. Victory is essentially impossible, but the Wildlings don’t appear to know the meaning of that word.

2. Khal Drogo vs. Mago

 

In a finishing move that causes even Mortal Kombat fans to go “Ewwww!” Khal Drogo rips out his opponent’s tongue through his throat after Mago makes the mistake of insulting the moon of the mighty Khal’s life. That’s one way to silence trash talkers.

1. Brienne vs. The Hound

The cliffs of Westeros (or, you know, Ireland) provide a suitably epic backdrop for Sandor Clegane’s send-off at the sword, hands, and teeth of Brienne. The fallen knight has no shame in employing dirty tactics to defeat his noble nemesis, forcing Brienne to go feral in her own attempts to survive; after taking a big bite out of Clegane’s one good ear, she literally punches the guy off a cliff. It’not a clean victory for Brienne, but at least it’s a victory