In 2013, Game Of Thrones continued its domination over pop culture and television screens with its acclaimed and well-received third season. Arguably better than its two predecessors, season three provides some of the most iconic moments and episodes in the show’s history as well as the usual phenomenal performances and writing.
The season thrilled critics and audiences alike. A good way of viewing this acclaim and fan love is by looking at its score on IMDb, an often-cited and acclaimed website for TV reviews episode-by-episode. Review scores can often have both highs and lows within individual seasons, but in season three of Game Of Thrones, it is pretty consistent. Here are all season three episodes of Game Of Thrones ranked, according to IMDb.
EPISODE 2 - DARK WINGS DARK WORDS (8.6)
The second episode of the season sees Bran and his companions encounter brother and sister Jojen and Meera Reed, while Arya, Hot Pie, and Gendry meet the Brotherhood. Also, Sansa confides in Margery her true feelings about Joffrey, while Jaime travels with Brienne through the wild.
The 8.6 score the episode earns comes from 22,048 reviews, 42.1% of which give it a 10.0, while a contrasting 3.4% give it a 1.0. 43.5% of reviewers gave it either an 8.0 or 9.0, so overall great reviews. The episode was praised for the way it introduced its new characters, even if with not much happened.
EPISODE 7 - THE BEAR AND THE MAIDEN FAIR (8.7)
Approaching the end of the season, Talisa reveals to Robb that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Jaime leaves Brienne at Harrenhal, leading to her fighting a bear before Jaime comes back and helps her. Jon and the Wildlings also go south, all the while Daenerys arrives at Yunkai.
The episode again garnered good reviews with 43.9% of the 27,798 reviewers giving it a 10.0 and 43.6% giving it an 8.0 or a 9.0, with only 2.9% giving it a 1.0. The final scene with Brienne and the bear was especially applauded. While the episode is merely building up to the climax of the series and does not get too exciting until the end, it is still of high quality.
EPISODE 6 - THE CLIMB (8.8)
This episode’s titular focus is on Jon and the Wildlings as they attempt to climb the Wall, a seemingly impossible feat. Gendry is sold to Millesandre, Robb tries to get the Frey family back on his side, and following Tywin and Lady Olenna’s discussion, Tyrion tells Sansa of their engagement to each other.
From its 22,537 reviews, a whopping 47% gave it a 10.0 and another 41.8% went for scores between 8.0 and 9.0, with only 2.8% opting for the low 1.0%. Once again, this episode was praised for its ending and alongside that, the negotiation between Tywin and Lady Olenna stole the show.
EPISODE 1 - VALAR DOHAERIS (8.8)
The season premiere sees the surviving members of the Night’s Watch retreat south to warn others while Jon Snow is brought before the King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder. In King’s Landing, Tyrion makes Bronn his protector and seeks reward from Tywin who does not give much. Daenerys is also seeking an army and Jorah Mormont points her to the Unsullied.
45.9% of the 24,383 reviewers saw the episode as a perfect 10.o with only 2.6% going the opposite way and giving it a 1.o and another 42.9% rating it either 8.0 or 9.0. The episode was lauded for its fantastic acting and while it is not the most exciting or action-packed episode, it does a great job of reintroducing characters and story, providing a good foundation for future episodes.
EPISODE 3 - WALK OF PUNISHMENT (8.9)
Three episodes into the season and Robb and Catelyn have arrived at Riverrun for Lord Tully’s funeral. Tyrion is made to be Master of Coin, while Arya, and Hot Pie part ways. Also, Jaime and Brienne are captured. Lastly, Daenerys tries to gain 8,000 unsullied.
The episode gained an 8.9 rating from 22,255 reviews, 45.6% of which gave the episode a 10.0, 44.3% giving it an 8.0 or a 9.0, and only 2.8% giving it the low 1.0. The writing was praised in this episode as was, yet again, the shocking final part, with the episode having a quick narrative pace that appealed to many.
EPISODE 8 - SECOND SONS (9.0)
This episode sees Daenerys try and recruit the Second Sons in her battle against Yunkai. Also, Sam and Gilly get attacked by a White Walker, Ser Davos is released from the dungeons, the Hound takes Arya somewhere unexpected, and probably most importantly, Sansa and Tyrion’s wedding at which Joffrey humiliates them.
The first 9.0 and over on the list got there via 22,362 reviews. 49.7% of them gave it a 10.0 and 41.6% going for either 9.0 or 8.0 with a contradictory 2.8% giving the episode as a 1.0. The episode’s non-convoluted nature was praised, as well as its acting, particularly the scenes with Sansa and Tyrion. Peter Dinklage earned an Emmy nomination for the episode.
EPISODE 5 - KISSED BY FIRE (9.0)
At the midpoint of the season, Jaime and Brienne are delivered to Lord Bolton, Clegane engages in mortal combat, and Cersei begins plotting against the Tyrells. Meanwhile, Tywin has an idea for who Sansa is to wed, Robb has to deal with Tywin’s nephews’ deaths, Daenerys’ army is on the move and, famously, Jon and Ygritte become lovers.
The episode had 22,673 reviews, with 51.4% giving it a 10.0, 39.5% giving it an 8.0 or 9.0 and only 2.8% giving it a 1.0. The episode was highly praised for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s performance and Jaime’s scene with Brienne, as well as the unraveling Lannister plans.
EPISODE 10 - MYHSA (9.1)
The season finale of season three sees Bran cross the wall, Sam go back to Castle Black, Jaime and Brienne reach King’s Landing, Jon leaves Ygritte, the Night’s Watch seeks assistance from Stannis, and the news of the Red Wedding spreads through the kingdom with Joffrey looking to take it as an opportunity to be cruel.
The great 9.1 rating comes from 25,336 reviews with 54.4% deeming it a 10.0, 37.2% giving it an 8.0 or 9.0 and another 2.8% giving it a 1.0. The episode was well-received for its use of character and setting up for the next season, even though it is not the gut punch like other season finales of the show are.
EPISODE 4 - AND NOW HIS WATCH IS ENDED (9.5)
This early episode sees Daenerys gain immense power, while Jaime tried getting used to a life with one hand. Cersei is troubled by the Tyrells, Tyrion wants revenge, and Arya reaches the Brotherhood with Sandor learning his fate.
The episode had a large number of reviews with 30,371. A massive 71.9% of them gave the episode a 10.0, 22.7% went with a 9.0 or 8.0, and as standard, 2.6% giving it a 1.0. The episode was deemed enthralling, with Daenerys’ new power being a good shock to those underestimating her and being an overall satisfying episode.
EPISODE 9 - THE RAINS OF CASTAMERE (9.9)
In the penultimate episode of season three, Daenerys plans an attack on Yunkai, Jon is tested to see where his loyalty truly lies, Bran and his companions split up. Ultimately though, nobody cares about that. All that matters about this phenomenal piece of television is the Red Wedding.
The episode gained a brilliant 9.9 rating from a huge 85,340 reviews. 89.4% of reviewers gave the episode a 10.0 with the usual 2.2% somehow giving it a 1.0. The episode is known for the emotion and shock it rips out of audiences. The tragedy and emotion, along with the shock, story, performances, and extreme bloodiness of it all make “Rains Of Castamere” one of Game Of Thrones’ best ever.
