To the casual fan of this show, what made Game of Thrones so special was the high budget and all the CGI and other nonsensical stuff that doesn’t really add to the true legacy of the show. In truth, what made the legacy of the first 4 seasons of Game of Thrones so legendary was the quality of the writing. George R.R. Martin wrote an absolutely incredible and detailed world and amazing characters that are just unforgettable.

This is the true legacy of Game of Thrones; just how brilliant the writing was for the first half of the run of the whole show. This is most clear in the conversations and dialogues that the characters engage in, showing how clever they really are and how they are all always looking to play the game. So, let’s take a look at all the best conversations in the show!

25. The Wars to come (Season 1, Episode 2)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEB5t1qRdmY&pp=ygUObmVkIGFuZCByb2JlcnQ%3D

A great conversation in the second episode of the show consists of Robert and Ned talking a lot about their past very fondly and remembering what their youth was like. It shows Robert being vulnerable and telling Ned how much he loved his sister and that she was taken from them both, as well as the state of the world at the moment and how they must be prepared for all the wars to come. There's also a very brief but important moment which teases Jon’s true parentage.

24. Cersei and Tyrion’s final talk (Season 7, Episode 8)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHIsBi0EWkU&pp=ygUWY2Vyc2VpIGFuZCB0eXJpb...

This scene takes place in season 7, right after the famous Dragonpit scene where Cersei sees Dany for the first time. This meeting is called underway due to the North needing the Crown’s help in defeating the White Walkers, but Cersei refuses, causing Tyrion to go to her privately to get her to see reason and help them. They talk about their past and Tyrion’s acknowledgement of Cersei’s hatred towards him. 

23. Orson Lannister (Season 4, Episode 8)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997lGD65WNc&pp=ygUTdHlyaW9uIGphaW1lIG9yc...

This was a much needed comic relief scene in the show, especially because at this point in time, Tyrion was headed towards certain death. When Jaime visits him, they reminisce about their simple-minded cousin, Orson Lannister, who used to crush beetles for fun. This is a very heartwarming scene as we see 2 brothers who love each other very much talk about their lives before one of them dies.

22. Scheming (Season 1, Episode 5)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJHwZ5HWMnY&pp=ygURdmFyeXMgYW5kIGlsbHlya...

Varys is undoubtedly one of the smartest characters in the entire show, but he is also one of the most mysterious and cunning. He is always 2 steps ahead of most others and is always planning something, which is never more evident in this scene where Arya wanders to an unknown part of the castle and overhears Varys and Illyrio talking about something vague. Only with hindsight do we truly understand what they are talking about and their plans for the kingdom.

21. Break the Wheel (Season 5, Episode 8)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO1S9o1u3II&pp=ygUfZGFueSBhbmQgdHlyaW9uI...

The scene where 2 fan favorite characters, Tyrion and Dany, meet for the first time certainly doesn’t disappoint. It sees them speaking to each other as equals and confidants in each other's abilities, with Dany appointing Tyrion as an advisor and Tyrion asking Dany what she plans to do after coming into power, to which she replies that she plans to break the wheel.

20. Kill the Boy (Season 5, Episode 5)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkLElgflOME&pp=ygUVa2lsbCB0aGUgYm95IGpvb...

Maester Aemon was one of best side characters in the entire run of the show and was one of the only characters that was actually morally pure. He was very old and very experienced, which demanded the respect of even the most insane member of the Watch. The conversation between him and Jon about the nature of duty will always remain one of the best in the show.

19. Catelyn guilt (Season 3, Episode 2)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd5Q0UzuF2w&pp=ygUWY2F0ZWx5biBndWlsdCBvd...

Cat was a very nuanced character with a great deal of flaws that helped people really sympathize with her. One thing that people hated, however, was her treatment of Jon, which she regretted as well. In a private conversation with Talissa, she admits that she wanted Jon dead when he was a baby and always hated him his entire life. This was something she deeply regretted now.

18. Jon and Mance (Season 3, Episode 1)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyJ9aubRvSk&pp=ygUPam9uIG1lZXRzIG1hbmNl

Jon’s meeting with the Wildling King was an undercover operation that was done in order for Jon to know what their plans were and to find out how they were going to do them. What happens instead is Jon finds the Wildlings to be normal people just like him who are just trying to survive, and through his talks with Mance, he finds out that the leader is genuinely a good man who is only just looking to help his people.

17. What about my wrath (Season 1, Episode 7)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB4UrhI-3w&pp=ygUTd2hhdCBhYm91dCBteSB3c...

Upon finding out the truth, Ned seeks out Cersei to tell her and her family to flee the capital to escape Robert’s wrath, to which Cersei replies ‘and what about my wrath’. This entire conversation is great as it shows both Ned and Cersei arguing about the reality of the situation they’re in and how they are supposed to play the game of thrones.

16. Legacy (Season 1, Episode 7)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47MazYDnmaU&pp=ygUWdHl3aW4gYW5kIGphaW1lI...

Legacy is the ultimate pursuit of Tywin Lannister, and to have a lasting legacy for himself and his family is what he wants over all things. He believes the only way that the family can endure properly after he is gone is through Jaime, as Cersei’s children belong to the Baratheon line and he never really counts Tyrion as his child. Him and Jaime have a very enlightening discussion about legacy and he tells Jaime what must be done to complete his legacy.

15. The disappointing child (Season 2, Episode 1)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yevcu_R_Biw&pp=ygUqbXVzdCBiZSBoYXJkIHRvI...

The reaction of the small council, especially Cersei, to Tyrion becoming the Hand of the King was just joyous to behold, as everyone was just befuddled, but Tyrion’s smile at Cersei’s rage was the best part. However, this all turned serious as Tyrion was made aware of the situation Joffrey put them in by beheading Ned and scolded Cersei for not putting a stop to it. He ends the conversation by asking Cersei how it feels to be the disappointment for once.

14. Sentencing Janos (Season 5, Episode 3)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCreYytA9f4&pp=ygULamFub3MgZGVhdGg%3D 

Janos Slynt’s fate in the show is one of the most satisfying as he is killed for being the most useless and miserable character. Though this scene starts off as a conversation between him and Jon, it turns into Janos insulting the Lord Commander and refusing a direct order. Jon is forced to behead Janos in front of the entire Watch as well as Stannis and his army.

13. Jon and Dany (Season 7, Episode 6)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvNXy7CYDhs&pp=ygUSam9uIGtuZWVscyB0byBkYW55

This conversation takes place after Dany saves Jon and the rest of the party from the Night King ambush that happens north of the Wall, causing his whole opinion of bending the knee to change. The conversation that takes place after this between the 2 shows why Dany is worthy of being the queen as well as laying the seeds of their relationship in the future.

13. What makes a good king (Season 4, Episode 3)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doY0IjisBlk&pp=ygUcdHl3aW4gd2hhdCBtYWtlc...

If there’s one person in this world that you want on your side during your reign as king, it’s Tywin Lannister. After Joffrey dies, he goes to the new king Tommen and immediately begins to teach him about the intricacies of ruling. But now, Tywin sees that this one isn’t as stupid or insane as his older brother, so he can actually be molded into a good king. Tywin starts to question and educate him on the spot in a brilliant scene.

12. Duty is the death of love (Season 8, Episode 6)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1sD2DqIZt8&pp=ygUSam9uIGtpbGxzIGRhZW5lcnlz

Season 8 was an absolute dumpster fire and even this moment in the finale where Jon is forced to kill Dany is more or less a trainwreck. However, the scene before this is alright. Where Tyrion and Jon talk about the nature of duty and love and we can see Jon is very conflicted in what he wants to do but he knows that he has to do it, no matter how much he loves Dany. This is also a nice parallel to the conversation that Jon and Maester Aemon had about the same topic.

11. I will be your champion (Season 4, Episode 7)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1elRCLunmsg&pp=ygURb2JlcnluIGFuZCB0eXJpb...

Oberyn was a character that had all the charisma and stage presence in the world but was gone far too soon. As Tyrion is taken prisoner and finds himself without anyone to fight the Mountain on his behalf, he sees that one of the judges of his trial is now willing to become his champion. Oberyn tells the story of how he first saw Tyrion when he was a baby and didn’t think that he was ever a monster, then vowing to take revenge on the Mountain for what happened to his sister.

10. Little Bird (Season 8, Episode 4)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsw6h5z1nuo&pp=ygUVc2FuZG9yIHNhbnNhIHJld...

For all the hate season 8, especially the Long Night gets (and rightfully so), Sansa and Sandor’s reunion was very lovely indeed. This was the first time they met since season 2, where we could have always seen that Sandor had a soft spot for Sansa and wanted to protect her but he couldn’t always do so. In this reunion, they go over the fact that while Sansa saw many horrors, it was instrumental in changing her into the strong person she is now. Awfully stupid writing overall, but it was a good moment.

9. Tyrion and Jaime (Season 8, Episode 5)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxxCas0w4xw&pp=ygUYdHlyaW9uIGphaW1lIGxhc...

Let’s get one thing abundantly clear; this scene overall is one of the worst scenes in the whole show, but the last 35 seconds of it are easily the best part of all of season 8. This scene takes all of the tried and tested character development that Jaime had for 8 seasons and throws all of that away in literally just one sentence when Jaime says he never really cared for innocent people.

That’s an absolute travesty that really makes it seem like this season was written by 2 writers who they found outside and had never seen the show. However, the last part is when the 2 Lannister brothers embrace and make it clear just how much they love each other and it is very nice to see. Tyrion admits that if it wasn’t for Jaime, he would have never made it past his childhood. That part felt like the real relationship that GRRM had written for the characters. 

8. Mance before death (Season 5, Episode 1)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixleS9QNqg8&pp=ygUeam9uIGFuZCBtYW5jZSBiZ...

The last conversation between Jon and Mance Rayder is a really memorable one. As Jon confronts Mance with the prospect of him being executed if he doesn’t bend the knee to Stannis and make his Wildlings do the same, Mance straight up refuses. He knows that he will die, and so plans to do it standing rather than kneeling, teaching Jon an important lesson on leadership in the process.

7. Arya and Tywin (Season 2, Episode 2)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcM9yQzdDKg&pp=ygUZYXJ5YSBhbmQgdHl3aW4gc...

This is one of, if not the, best changes that the writers made from the books. In the books, it is Roose Bolton who is in charge of Harrenhal while Arya works as his cup bearer, whereas in the show it is in fact Tywin. Each and every one of their scenes together is absolutely electric as both actors and characters have amazing chemistry and play off of each other very well. Arya reminds him a lot of his daughter, so he treats her fairly and loves his chats with her. Tywin recognizes that she is very intelligent so she makes for great conversation.

6. Where power resides (Season 2, Episode 3)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpL6Fwu0wkw&t=1s&pp=ygUTd2hlcmUgcG93ZXIg...

Almost every single time Tyrion and Varys share a scene together, it is a treat to watch (in the first 4 seasons anyway). This is because these 2 are some of the most intelligent and clever people in the entire show, so whenever they talk it is highly intelligent discussions that are always fun to spectate, especially in this scene where Varys is applauding Tyrion for his smart trick he did in order to find the rat that was working against him and for Cersei. Then, he presents a riddle on the nature of power which really hits home with Tyrion.

5. Jon convinces Tormund (Season 5, Episode 5)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rmw5R-nPTo&pp=ygUeam9uIGFuZCBtYW5jZSBiZ...

Tormund always recognized Jon as a man of honor, even though Jon betrayed him and the Wildlings. Because of this, Jon and Tormund have an unspoken and very close bond and Jon realizes that he needs to befriend Tormund to get the support of the Wildlings in the war against the White Walkers. So, Jon has a great conversation with Tormund about allegiances and presents him with the idea of them going to Hardhome to get the rest of the remainingFreefolk on their side as well.

4. The Dragonpit (Season 7, Episode 7)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GGcyH9VCQs&pp=ygUJZHJhZ29ucGl0

This scene in the dragon pit is contrived, but it is still cool to see so many of the characters from different areas and arcs of the show come together and talk in just one scene. For most of them, they had been meeting for the first time in many seasons, so there were multiple reunions all happening at the same time. Among the most notable here was Tyrion meeting Cersei again after 4 seasons, Dany meeting Cersei for the first time and Sandor meeting his brother after 6 seasons and promising to kill him, right to his face.

3. The King is tired (Season 3, Episode 10)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcOWcrVU9FI&pp=ygUSdHl3aW4gb3ducyBqb2ZmcmV5

Everyone loves it when an annoying and spoiled little brat gets put in their place. So, when Joffrey is walking around and acting like he’s the only reason why the Crown is winning the wars, Tywin rightly puts him in his place and makes it known that it is in fact Tywin that is winning Joffrey’s war for him. When Joffrey talks back, Tywin calmly puts so much fear into Joffrey’s eyes that it is just glorious to see. Even the conversation afterwards between Tywin and Tyrion about the war is exceptional.

2. Chaos is a ladder (Season 3, Episode 6)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rc6CHH-E-4&pp=ygURY2hhb3MgaXMgYSBsYWRkZ...

When I said that Tywin, Tyrion and Varys are the smartest characters on the entire show, it is true. However, it is only true if they are all looked at after Petyr Baelish, who was the architect for the whole events of the War of the 5 Kings in a way that ended up with himself having the most power. This is very evident when Varys walks up to Baelish in the throne room and initiates a conversation on the nature of chaos, which Littlefinger has a perfect analogy for. This was the show at its peak.

1. Jaime’s confession (Season 3, Episode 5)

The scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOpQqVCt-Jc&pp=ygUQamFpbWUgY29uZmVzc2lvb...

If there was an award for the best character development and the most nuanced character in the entire series, it would undoubtedly go to Jaime Lannister. This was a character who started off as a villain willing to throw children from the top of towers, who then turned into a broken and torn man who once had an idealistic view on the world but the true nature of people turned him evil. He is called Kingslayer by everyone as mockery, but the real reason he did this was to save the entire city from doom. 

After losing his sword hand, he gains a new perspective on life. In the bath scene with Brienne, he lays out all the truth of why he did what he did for the first time ever. He knew that if he tried telling anyone else about this, they wouldn’t believe him because it would be his words against that of Ned Stark, so he just let the grief and hatred and fear consume him, turning him into a completely different person. This scene shows the beginning of the best character arc in the whole show in my opinion.

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