Game of Thrones (2011 — 2019)

Game of Thrones (2011–2019), an American fantasy drama TV series by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO, is based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Filmed in various locations like the UK, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, and Spain, it first aired on April 17th, 2011 and ended on May 19th, 2019 with a total of 73 episodes across eight seasons. Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, the show boasts a diverse cast and follows multiple storylines. Critics and historians have commended its medieval realism approach as author Martin aimed for it to read more like historical fiction than contemporary fantasy with a focus on battles, politics, and character development over magic and sorcery.

Season 1 (2011). The story unfolds in a remarkable world, mainly on the continent of Westeros, while another setting plays out on Essos in the east. Following the novel’s lead, the season centers on Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark, a nobleman and Warden of the North, who is asked to serve as King Robert Baratheon’s Hand (chief advisor). On a quest to uncover his predecessor Jon Arryn’s murderer, Ned stumbles upon secrets surrounding the influential Lannister family, including Queen Cersei, who was responsible for Jon’s death. After Robert’s passing, Ned is accused of treason and executed by King Joffrey Baratheon, Cersei’s tyrannical teenage son. In Essos, Viserys Targaryen, exiled son of the former king, forces his sister Daenerys into marriage with a Dothraki leader in exchange for an army to reclaim the Iron Throne.

Season 2 (2012). The events detail a fantastical world divided into two continents, Westeros and Essos. The season’s focus is on the consequences of Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark’s shocking demise and the ensuing political upheaval. At its core, the plot centers on the War of the Five Kings, a battle among various leaders of Westeros vying for control of the Iron Throne or seeking self-governance. Cersei Lannister, widow of King Robert Baratheon, remains in the capital as queen regent while her son Joffrey reigns as king over seven kingdoms. Meanwhile, her twin brother Jaime is a captive of Robb Stark, and her other brother Tyrion serves as Acting Hand to King Joffrey until their father Tywin Lannister returns to defend the capital. To the north, Jon Snow and his fellow Night’s Watch members find an unlikely ally during their expedition beyond the Wall.

Season 3 (2013). The events of this story take place in a fictional world known as Westeros, with another storyline occurring on the neighboring continent of Essos. Like the novel, the season continues to follow The War of the Five Kings, with all four kings in Westeros vying for the Iron Throne. As tensions rise, Robb Stark seeks vengeance for his father’s death and fights for independence for the North. Other plotlines include Daenerys Targaryen’s ascent to power in Essos, Jon Snow’s undercover mission beyond the Wall, and the struggles of the remaining Stark children throughout Westeros. Meanwhile, Jaime Lannister returns to the capital and a reawakened threat from the Army of the Dead looms over all of Westeros.

Season 4 (2014). The story is set in a fictional world known as Westeros, with another storyline unfolding on the continent of Essos to the east. Following Robb Stark’s death at The Red Wedding, the remaining kings in Westeros all believe they have a claim to the Iron Throne. King Joffrey’s death by poison during his wedding leads to accusations against his uncle Tyrion and the crowning of young Tommen Baratheon as king. Meanwhile, Sansa Stark manages to escape King’s Landing, and at the Wall, Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch face a daunting battle against 100,000 Wildlings until Stannis’s army intervenes. Bran Stark’s visions take him beyond the Wall where he encounters the Three-Eyed Raven. In another part of Essos, Daenerys Targaryen seizes control of Meereen and takes on the role of queen in Slaver’s Bay, though she soon realizes that ruling is more challenging than conquering. She is forced to restrain her growing dragons who have become increasingly difficult to manage.

Season 5 (2015). Similar to previous Game of Thrones seasons, season five continues the stories primarily focused in the fictional location of Westeros, with a few storylines taking place in Essos. King Tommen, Cersei Lannister’s hesitant and youthful son, remains in power in Westeros. After fleeing to Essos, Tyrion crosses paths with Daenerys Targaryen, who is facing struggles as she attempts to rule Slavers’ Bay and control her growing dragons. The Lannister family must confront new foes, including a religious sect that Cersei foolishly empowers. As a result, both Cersei and Queen Margaery are arrested; Cersei confesses her sins and undergoes a humiliating walk of atonement before being released. Meanwhile, Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and serves under Stannis Baratheon, who is determined to claim the Iron Throne by attacking Winterfell. Sansa Stark is left behind by Littlefinger at Winterfell, where she ultimately marries Ramsay Bolton and endures horrific abuse from him. Ultimately, Stannis is defeated and killed while Sansa manages to escape along with Theon.

Season 6 (2016). In the sixth season, the noble families of Westeros are engaged in a fierce struggle for the Iron Throne. The Starks and their allies emerge victorious in the ‘Battle of the Bastards’, reuniting Sansa Stark and Jon Snow. Meanwhile, Tyrion Lannister takes charge of Meereen while Daenerys Targaryen is held captive by the Dothraki. However, she ultimately gains their loyalty by defeating their leaders and emerging unharmed from a deadly fire. In King’s Landing, Margaery Tyrell surrenders to the High Sparrow, who grows in power by influencing King Tommen. But things take a tragic turn when Cersei avoids her trial by using wildfire to destroy the Great Sept, killing many including her adversaries and family members. As a result, Tommen takes his own life and Cersei claims her place as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Over in Dorne, Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell’s daughters seize control by eliminating their rulers, Doran and Trystane Martell.

Season 7 (2017). The penultimate season sees the main plots of the show intertwining as the final season approaches. Daenerys Targaryen arrives in Westeros with her army and three dragons, launching a war against the victorious Lannisters, who have defeated her allies in the south and west. Meanwhile, Jon Snow entrusts Winterfell to Sansa and seeks out Daenerys for help in defeating the White Walkers and Army of the Dead. As their relationship deepens, he also gathers dragonglass from Dragonstone. Back at Winterfell, Arya and Bran (now known as the Three-Eyed Raven) return and bring justice to Littlefinger. When Daenerys is tempted to destroy King’s Landing, Tyrion reminds her that she does not want to be remembered as a queen of destruction. In an effort to convince Cersei of the threat posed by the white walkers, Jon ventures beyond the wall to capture a wight. However, his group is ambushed and nearly killed until Daenerys swoops in with her dragons to save them. Tragically, one of her dragons falls victim to the Night King’s power and becomes part of his army.

Season 8 (2019). The final season portrays the culmination of two primary conflicts in the series: the Great War against the Army of the Dead and the Last War for control of the Iron Throne. Initially, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and other key characters gather at Winterfell to confront the Dead. In a crucial moment, Bran lures the Night King out into the open, allowing Arya to defeat him and shatter his army of White Walkers and wights. Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister remains in King’s Landing and strengthens her forces, preparing traps for a weakened Daenerys. The second half of the season sees Daenerys suffering losses as she continues her quest for the throne until she launches a final assault on King’s Landing with her last dragon, Drogon. In a fit of madness, she burns and massacres everyone in the city, including Cersei and Jaime. Despite these actions, Daenerys proclaims her determination to achieve her goal of ‘liberating’ the entire world.