“Game of Thrones”
Need a refresher on how Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) rose to power? Here are all the episodes of “Game of Thrones” you need to see before Season 7 premieres. HBO

There’s no denying it — “Game of Thrones” is inarguably one of the best shows on TV. Not only is the HBO original series among the highest rated, it was also dubbed the most viewed show of 2016 with millions of viewers tuning in weekly. The show continues to sweep award shows, with more than 15 Emmys, five Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe Award, and has been dominating water cooler talk in offices around the world since it’s premiere in 2011.

A new season of “Game of Thrones” will be here before you know it, which means it’s time for longtime fans and novice viewers alike to brush up on their knowledge of the Seven Kingdoms and all that’s happening there. As is evident from their record high viewership and many accolades, co-creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have committed themselves to providing viewers with their highest quality of work. While each and every episode of “Game of Thrones” is a good one, there are some that just stand from the rest.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of “Game of Thrones,” or just want to be included in chatter about the show, there’s a better way to watch than sitting through the series in it’s entirety. Here are 17 must-see episodes of “Game of Thrones”:

Season 1, Episode 1 - “Winter is Coming”:

It only makes sense to start your binge at the beginning. The first episode of “Game of Thrones” introduces viewers to the Stark family and explains their dynamic. You’ll learn why Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is, but isn’t, a part of their family, as well as how the Starks are involved in the ongoing drama in the Seven Kingdoms and why they are a threat to so many other houses. Viewers also hear about White Walkers for the first time, which will be important in later seasons.

Season 1, Episode 8 - “The Pointy End”:

By this point in the series, things are already heating up. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) was captured, Syrio (Miltos Yerolemou) and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) come under attack by Lannister guards and Cersei (Lena Headey) was hard at work playing mind games with Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). Robb (Richard Madden) gathered the men of his father’s army, hoping to take on the Lannisters and free his father, while Jon began making waves at Castle Black.

As news spread of his father’s capture, Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) began taunting Jon about the situation. He called Ned a traitor, which nearly prompted an all out fight. Jon was sent to his chambers, where he was confronted by a wight — or a member of the White Walker’s army — in the form of one of the dead Night’s Watchmen’s bodies. He was able to defeat it, but little did he know his fight with the Winter Soldiers was only just beginning.

Season 1, Episode 9 - “Baelor”:

The first major battle of “Game of Thrones” ensued during Season 1, episode 9 — and it was a victory for House Stark. Robb was able to take down his opposition, capturing Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in the process. His joy was short lived, however, as things went south for the rest of his family. Catelyn Stark believed she’d struck a deal with the ever-slimey Walder Frey (David Bradley), but will later find that he’s an enemy of the Stark family. While she and Robb rallied in the hopes of freeing Ned and saving Winterfell from capture, the once prestigious King of the North has been faced with a difficult decision — he could make a fake confession for treason or risk having daughters Arya and/or Sansa killed. He chose to confess and was beheaded before their eyes.

Season 1, Episode 10 - “Fire and Blood”:

After being manipulated by Cersei, Sansa agreed to marry her son Joffrey (Jack Gleeson), who was acting as leader of King’s Landing at the time. Before long, he began terrorizing the girl — slapping her across the face and humiliating her at every chance he got. At one point, Joffrey even threatened to bring her brother Robb’s head to her on a spike.

In Winterfell, Bran — who had been pushed out a window by Jaime Lannister — began having prophetic dreams about the three-eyed raven. His visions inspired him to set out with his loyal servant Hodor (Kristian Nairn) on a mission to find this mysterious man.

Season 2, Episode 3 - “What is Dead May Never Die”:

Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) — a longtime friend of Robb and the Stark family — betrayed House Stark for the first time in episode 3. During the show he returned home, where he was included in his father’s war council. During the meeting he learned of his father’s plans to attack the North and suggested that they team up with the Starks rather than fight them. His father was appalled at the suggestion, striking him. Rather than alert Robb to the danger that lie ahead, Theon decided to let it unfold which had disastrous effect later in the show.

Episode 3 is also the first time “Game of Thrones” viewers learned about Arya’s kill list. This will continue to be a theme throughout the series.

Season 3, Episode 8 - “Second Sons”:

Sansa, who was once set to marry Joffrey, was forced to instead marry his older brother Tyrion (Peter Dinklage). The arrangement was made as another way to degrade her and to torture Tyrion, who was seeing a commoner behind his family’s back. The ceremony was a complete disaster between Tyrion’s drunkenness and Joffrey’s many attempts to humiliate Sansa and his uncle at any turn. At one point he declared it time for the bedding ceremony, which consisted of the men in attendance stripping down Sansa and carrying her and Tyrion off one a wooden marriage bed to their chambers. As you can imagine, Sansa was less than thrilled about the idea.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the Seven Kingdoms, Melisandre (Carice van Houten) has asserted her full power for one of the first times on the show. She nearly convinced Stannis (Stephen Dillane) to kill Gendry (Joe Dempsie), whom she was after for his blood and the power that it holds. During this episode marked Gendry’s disappearance from the show, though he is expect to return in Season 7.

Season 3, Episode 9 - “The Rains of Castamere”:

Two words — red wedding. Whether you’ve been watching “Game of Thrones” for years or not, you’ve probably heard something about this monumental moment in the show’s history. It’s gory, it’s heartbreaking and it’s important to things that have played out in the seasons since it occurred and will likely continue to be as the show comes to a close.

Season 3, Episode 10 - “Mhysa”:

Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) was forced to decide whether she wanted to be known as a conqueror or a liberator. She and her men marched to Yunkai to meet with the city’s slaves and owners. There, she began to shake things up and created tension with the slave owners.

Season 4, Episode 2 - “The Lion and the Rose”:

Joffrey was finally ready to tie the knot with new bride-to-be Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), but that just wasn’t in the cards to the couple. Their wedding was rocked by temper flares and a shocking death that delighted some and left others in danger.

Viewers also learned in this episode just how dangerous Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) was. He was shown hunting a peasant girl in the woods near his kingdom for fun, joined by Theon — who he degraded and forced to be known as Reek. Ramsay’s father returned home from battle during the episode and ordered his son to attempt to take back the lands now run by Theon’s family. He promised to legitimize him as a member of house Bolton, rather than forcing him to be known as a bastard, in return.

Season 4, Episode 9 - “The Watchers on the Wall”:

The Wildings launched a brutal attack on Castle Black, forcing Jon and the other men of the Night’s Watch to attempt to defend their home. They were greatly outnumbered, but managed to hold off. Many were killed during the attack, but something much bigger comes from the battle.

Season 5, Episode 7 - “The Gift”:

After the attack, Jon did the unthinkable — he and Tormund (Kristofer Hivju) set out to try and talk to the Wildings. He hoped that doing so would help to bridge the gap necessary to fight off the White Walkers, which would save both the Wildlings and the people of the Seven Kingdoms.

While Jon was gone, a major player in the Night’s Watch died of old age. Sam held a funeral for him during which his body was burned. Tensions were still high at Castle Black, despite the sad death, and Gilly (Hannah Murray) found herself under attack.

Sansa also found herself at the treacherous hand of Ramsay during Season 4, episode 4. She attempted to reach out to Theon, whom she’d known before, but he was completely brainwashed.

Season 5, Episode 8 - “Hardhome”:

The White Walkers showed their muscle during Season 5, episode 8 of “Game of Thrones,” setting the tone for the future of the show. A number of Free Folk were killed during the episode and Jon came face-to-face with the leader of the undead army.

Season 5, Episode 9 - “The Dance of Dragons”:

Daenerys finally mastered her dragons during Season 5, episode 9 and it’s something you’ll just have to see to believe.

Season 5, Episode 10 - “Mother’s Mercy”:

A major star was unexpectedly killed off during this episode when his own men betrayed him.

Season 6, Episode 2 - “Home”:

For the first time in “Game of Thrones” history a character was brought back to life.

Season 6, Episode 9 - “Battle of the Bastards”:

House Stark and House Bolton faced off for Winterfell in what was one of the bloodiest battles in “Game of Thrones” history. One house accepted defeat and a major villain was killed off the show.

Season 6, Episode 10 - “The Winds of Winter”:

Cersei fell on some bad times and was imprisoned by the High Sparrow. In Season 6, episode 10 of “Game of Thrones” she found herself back in control in a majorly unexpected way.

RELATED STORIES