RANKED: The 15 best 'Game of Thrones' episodes so far

Game of Thrones Tyrion

As "Game of Thrones" gets frighteningly close to its endgame and the characters get closer to each other geographically, the episodes get more thrilling.

Now that there's more battles, twists, deaths, wildfire explosions, Frey pies, and alliances, the episodes have gotten more intense — with more action than exposition — but there are still some stand-out episodes from the earlier seasons.

In preparation for season 7 premiering July 16 (so close, but feels as far as Daenerys has been from Westeros this whole time), we ranked the 15 best episodes just in case you're one of those people who doesn't have enough time to re-watch the entire series in less than two weeks.

Here are the best episodes of "Game of Thrones," ranked.

15. “The Old Gods and the New” — season 2, episode 6

First aired: May 6, 2012

Biggest moment: "Where are my dragons?"

This mid-season episode feels more like a finale or a penultimate episode. As a result of Tyrion's deal with Dorne, Myrcella Baratheon is sent away on a boat and everyone watches, and Cersei threatens Tyrion, blaming him for the separation. On the way back to the Red Keep, there's a riot in King's Landing. Also, Tyrion slaps Joffrey. And over in Harrenhal, Arya is serving as Tywin Lannister's cup bearer. Littlefinger shows up in the same room as her, but it's unclear whether or not he recognizes her (the scene's intensity rivals that of the Red Wedding and any scene with Ramsay in it).

14. "Two Swords" — season 4, episode 1

First aired: April 6, 2014

Biggest moment: The Hound wants some chicken and helps Arya get Needle back/cross Polliver's name off her list.

We're introduced to Oberyn Martell, who arrives in King's Landing for Joffrey and Margery's wedding. Joffrey makes fun of Jaime's lack of a hand. Brienne persuades Jaime to keep his word on protecting Arya and Sansa Stark. Jon Snow almost gets executed for his time undercover with the Wildlings (aka: for sleeping with Ygritte), but Maester Aemon releases him.

13. “The Children” — season 4, episode 10

First aired: June 15, 2014

Biggest moment: Tyrion escapes with the help of Jaime and Varys, then kills Shae and his father, Tywin (while he poops in the privy).

And that's not all. Brienne takes down The Hound, Arya gets on a boat to Braavos, and Daenerys chains her dragons (except Drogon, who's missing). Stannis Baratheon and his army interrupt Jon Snow's negotiations with Mance Rayder, and Jon burns Ygritte's body north of the Wall.

David Benioff and D. B. Weiss were nominated for the 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for this episode.

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