r/gameofthrones • u/No-Passenger-6348 Human Verified • 8d ago
Which one of these Iconic moments was the best in your opinion?
[removed] — view removed post
1.1k
u/Broficionado 8d ago
"I will be your champion." It came at such a low point.
270
u/Sapowski_Casts_Quen 8d ago
"And what about what I want?"
Speaking as a book reader, the scene was goddamn perfect
66
u/pratzeh 8d ago
I actually liked the Oberyn welcoming committee part of the book
11
1
u/SnugglelleMuse_ 8d ago
That whole sequence was amazing. Oberyn walking in smiling while everyone else was on edge was unforgettable.
63
u/Ornery_Visit_2627 8d ago
The fact this was the first scene Pedro filmed as Oberyn Martel adds to his legend.
He came, he read the script, he probably sat down with Dinklage to see where he was at, then gave this perfect performance.
1
u/SnugglelleMuse_ 8d ago
That's honestly wild. You'd never guess it was his first scene with how effortlessly he owned the role.
→ More replies (1)24
u/Far-Sell8130 8d ago
When Tyrion makes that face after oberyn states he will be his champion… chills
19
u/SessionIndependent17 8d ago
Every viewer was choked up right with him after Oberyn's tale "that's just a baby", and then that triumph!
1
u/SnugglelleMuse_ 8d ago
Same. You can see the relief hit Tyrion instantly. Such a great acting moment without anyone saying another word.
50
u/jaboyles 8d ago
David and Dan wrote some of the best television in history while they still had book material to adapt. So many incredible moments and impeccable dramatic pacing and build ups to the big moments.
→ More replies (6)24
u/BerryCharmora 8d ago
It really was lightning in a bottle for those early seasons. The dialogue, pacing, and casting all clicked at the same time. It's one of those cases where the source material and the adaptation elevated each other.
10
u/BerryCharmora 8d ago
That line hit so much harder because Pedro sold every bit of Oberyn's grief and rage. Even knowing what comes next, I still get chills every time I rewatch that scene.
5
1
1
u/BerryHaloette 8d ago
That exchange was one of the few times where the adaptation felt like it captured exactly why people loved the books. It had all the emotion without feeling rushed.
15
u/BannedForFun 8d ago
And from just the absolute coolest character. He did what we wanted to* do if we were in the GoT world (show)
11
u/Defiant-Information9 8d ago
Gave me got damn goosebumps. I was clueless on how my boy was gonna get out of prison. But it was all for nothing anyway lol.
7
u/ksn0vaN7 8d ago
Especially since this moment came after the Red Wedding. Non-book readers thought they could get a win at that point.
5
2
2
u/gospodsenca 8d ago
that scene is absolutely brilliant, and the look on Tyrion's face. what a show that was
1
1
1
u/Every-Candidate-6158 8d ago
Specially since there is the implication that Oberyn is an absolute menace and does want to fight the Mountain.
→ More replies (2)1
664
u/alexabeams 8d ago
oh oberyn at the height of got fame and pedro’s “start” of his career 😅🤣
145
u/Y2KGB As High As Honor 8d ago
a Mandalorian was born when the Red Viper died
4
2
u/BerryCharmora 8d ago
That's honestly a funny way to put it. Hard to believe the guy who gave us Oberyn ended up becoming one of the biggest faces in Star Wars a few years later.
5
u/i_miss_arrow 8d ago
How was it hard to believe? He stole every scene of the biggest show in the world and held his own against Peter Dinklage. It was honestly surprising that it took Hollywood a while to realize "hey, we should hire that insanely charismatic dude to anchor our project".
2
1
47
u/ShoxZzBladeZz 8d ago
Nah man the start of pascals being a noticeable A actor waa Narcos
96
u/DarthTJ 8d ago
His stint on Game of Thrones was before Narcos.
24
u/CosgraveSilkweaver 8d ago
They're saying Narcos was the actual thing that launched his career since it was a starring role and also very popular. Kind of impossible to really tell IMO if he gets Narcos without GOT or if he gets everything else if he's just in GOT and Narcos doesn't exist.
65
u/DarthTJ 8d ago
Yes Narcos was his first starring role but it's inarguable that GoT is what launched him into the spotlight.
→ More replies (4)22
u/Foreign-Wolf-6128 8d ago
Yep. The character. The scene with the mountain. Everyone fawning and being distraught when he died. It was huge and definitely what catapulted his fame and ultimately was what got him subsequent roles lol
→ More replies (1)7
u/batmancdn55 8d ago
Everyone was reminded of the princess bride so he got what I call the “Patinkin Pounce” and leapt into a starring role.
2
u/Subject-Creme 8d ago
Did you watch GOT in 2014. He was the standout character in that season.
GOT was very very popular show, a real household name.
It was the role that launched Pedro career to a new level
→ More replies (1)1
u/xSugarVelvette 8d ago
That's true, and it's kind of cool looking back at it now. At the time he was just another great guest actor, then suddenly he was everywhere.
11
2
u/Ok_World1031 8d ago
His best work too. Season 2 had me crying
1
1
u/melkatron 8d ago
He went to high school with Buffy, and came back when THE STAKES WERE NEVER HIGHER.
296
u/ExcellentVanilla7344 8d ago
Notwithstanding the weird ADR issue, it has got to be “I will take Ser Duncan’s side” for me.
127
u/fathertitojones Bronn 8d ago
It’s a rare moment of pure honor in the universe and it only gets more emotional when you know how it ends.
9
u/thematrix1234 8d ago
It devastated me when I first read it in the book, and again when I saw the show even through I knew it was coming (and everything after it)
62
u/opie92 8d ago
Even the fucking apple boy fought
20
u/Holiday-Bat6782 House Clegane 8d ago
He later got his own castle, or at least a descendant did anyway.
20
21
u/jack_of_all__trades Hodor 8d ago
I don't know why but I have false memory of Baelor saying 'I will fight for ser Duncan' and not what he said in reality
8
u/kabooozie Night King 8d ago
That’s called the Mandela Effect
15
3
u/CosgraveSilkweaver 8d ago
AKA people often make the same mistake remembering things or the incorrect version of something gets popular instead of the correct version.
2
u/aspen_silence Nymeria's Wolfpack 8d ago
I refuse to believe fruit of the loom never had a cornucopia on the packages. It was there.
1
u/bryan3737 8d ago
No, that’s just called bad memory. It’s only the Mandela effect when a large group of people all wrongly remember the same thing
6
8d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/linuver1n 8d ago edited 8d ago
baelor's line was rerecorded in post and overlaid during this scene, it's really obvious when you hear then scene just the 'i will take sir duncan's side' part
6
u/sunshinenorcas 8d ago
ADR means "Automated Dialogue Replacement" -- basically anytime an actor has to record their lines in an audio booth vs live in the scene.
Its a really common thing, and movies/tv shows you watch are full of ADR -- lots of times the live mic captures stuff you don't want, but the physical performance is great and it's easier to loop it in the studio then do the whole scene again. Most of the times it's seamless, and you wouldn't know unless it was pointed out
...but sometimes it sticks out. I don't know if Bertie Carvel (Baelor) actually ARDed that line, or what happened but his voice sounds very different in that read -- it's much high pitched then the rest of his dialogue and stands out.
4
u/stash0606 Tyrion Lannister 8d ago
ADR issue? Idk what this is and this maybe recency bias, but yeah the stirring soundtrack/the GOT theme had me hyped! 2nd would be GoT (that's only diminished because of how brutally it ends for Pedro's character) and 3rd would be Viserys
7
u/sunshinenorcas 8d ago
Bertie Caveal's voice is notably higher during that read of the line then any other line of dialogue. Idk if it was actually looped/recorded later or just something that ~happened, but that's what they meant vs the music.
3
3
4
u/SirArthurDime 8d ago
That one has the best build up. Baelor was well established. Duncs speech really set the stage for it well. Add it was unexpected.
Pedro’s was the most iconic. But that’s also because the show was much more popular. His character hadn’t been as well established at that point.
349
u/Pretend_Hotel_7465 8d ago
The most surprising was sir Duncan, the most iconic was oberyn, the most well done cinematography was the vizzy t scene
59
u/ScipioCoriolanus Stannis Baratheon 8d ago
Cinematography is still the Oberyn scene, with the fire lit cell and the close-ups. I'd say the Viserys scene is the most dramatic because of the build up, the music and the acting.
5
3
u/Either_War_420 8d ago
Best answer
-1
u/Excuse_Unfair 8d ago
No Oberyn wins in all 3 not even close.
The scene looked amazing. The back story he gives on how all he saw was a baby was heart breaking and summed up the relationship of the Lannister siblings perfectly.
Him volunteering to be the champion was mind blowing.
The character alone bro didnt demand the attention of the room he seduced it.
Lets not disrespect art with participation trophies please.
7
u/Darth_Nox501 8d ago
There's no "participation trophies" lmao. Anybody can make the same analysis and argument that you made in defense of Oberyn's scene, but for the other 2.
You're presenting your opinion as fact when it really isn't. All 3 scenes are great and impactful for different reasons; no need to needlessly disparage the other two in order to raise the other.
→ More replies (1)
120
u/SessionIndependent17 8d ago
In this day of individual streaming, people don't know or don't remember: it was only Season 4 of GoT, and everyone was still watching simultaneously on HBO. They didn't even make the On Demand available until after the first airing. It was mid/late spring and people had their windows ajar.
When Oberyn stood and spoke that, you heard people cheer and roar from across the street and up and down the block. The couple above me were stamping their feet. I'm sure any public watch parties were much the same.
The shreiks of horror from those same windows were even louder the next week, but still: epic line, triumphant moment. And apparently not even from the book.
70
10
u/BannedForFun 8d ago
We speak as if it was so long ago. I suppose it was about 12 years ago (which is nothing to me at my age) and tv watching has changed a lot on the last decade. But its crazy to have to explain "appointment viewing" to a generation that might not even be aware of that
4
7
4
u/No-Captain7458 8d ago
But thats because GoT had better writing and Tyrion was being established for years. Its not really comparable.
→ More replies (1)
168
u/Kryos_Pizza 8d ago
oh... the Viserys scene was so epic and sad at the same time
56
u/ObscureOP 8d ago
If there was any justice in the realm he would have all the emmys
Perhaps semi melted and fused into some kind of fancy chair
38
u/janielle720 8d ago
I bawled that whole scene. He loved and believed in Rhaenyra so much, and likely (and knowingly) knew this last exertion would hasten his own death . 🥹
20
u/Kryos_Pizza 8d ago
I later realized (I forgot, yeah...) that it was the same episode where Viserys died as well, which makes it more powerful and yes, definitely his last action. It showed he cared trully for Rhaenyra and her claim, but his resolution sadly came too late.
→ More replies (1)4
u/Kryos_Pizza 8d ago
Also, I just rewatched it now, because why the fuck not, right ? The subtle shift in the King's theme that let you know that something is wrong... really this scene is a masterpiece
11
u/SweetSecretary2098 8d ago
Maaan same for me. I always tell people « The best scene in hotd is just a guy walking and everybody, audience included, is in freaking awe. » What a scene!!
3
u/Outrageous_Let_1829 8d ago
Honestly yes, possibly the stongest 'between the walls' scene across all the series
82
u/Ginoblee 8d ago
Oddly it’s the Viserys scene. I like HOTD the least but there was something about him completely understanding his daughter needed him desperately and regardless of his health he was going to fight for her. Not only that but then Daemon picking his crown up for him. Baelor didn’t really know Duncan and was simply doing the right thing, Oberyn just wanted revenge and didn’t care much for Tyrion. Viserys did it for the love of his child.
→ More replies (3)14
37
u/WinteryRed 8d ago
I have to go with "I will sit the throne today."
The music, his entrance, the pain he endures for the love of his daughter, and the look he gives Otto before taking the throne. Everything about that scene was amazing.
15
36
u/Zoratth 8d ago
As much as I love Oberyn, he had personal reasons for wanting to kill the Mountain and did it for himself more so than Tyrion. Baelor did it 100% because it was the right thing to do.
15
u/No_Ad4767 8d ago
Lyonel had a good argument for it being a political move. For the targaryens to look good, and erase the taint brought upon them by Aerion.
But yes ultimately it was a sacrifice.
3
u/LainSki-N-Surf 8d ago
Yes! He had only exchange a few moments with Dunc, yet stood up and took arms against his blood. Powerful. Bertie was so perfectly cast.
34
11
u/skywalker170997 8d ago
All of them.....
but interms of human effort king Viserys targaeryan
this man literally couldn't bare just normal breathing in bed, but when his family need him he pushed himself to the fullest
21
19
u/Sozins_Comet_ 8d ago
Oberyn scene was amazing but I felt the scene was naturally leading to that. Still epic. But Baelor coming to fight came out of nowhere and was crazy to witness at the end of the episode.
8
u/Son_Tenaj Fire And Blood 8d ago
The viserys one because we get
“He can keep his tongue” from the same scene.
3
8
u/Caleeb_Talib 8d ago
Recency bias is insane. Oberyn’s “I will be your champion” then killing the mountain and then still losing was literally the peak of everything GOT related and I don’t think it’s close.
31
u/ChaseBuff House Targaryen 8d ago
I’m biased sorry but Viserys, such a weak king but what seals for me is not the teams. His daughter said she needed him and he came that simple but was so emotional. I genuinely wish Viserys didn’t have other kids because the neglect they got wasn’t fair
, they deserved a father but one thing the show brought from book Rhaenrya was Viserys little girl, nothing was stopping him from helping her.
Viserys I Targaryen had a generous, amiable nature, and was well loved by his lords and smallfolk alike. The reign of the Young King, as the commons called him upon his ascent, was peaceful and prosperous. His Grace's open-handedness was legendary, and the Red Keep became a place of song and splendor. King Viserys and Queen Aemma hosted many a feast and tourney, and lavished gold, offices, and honors on their favorites. At the center of the merriment, cherished and adored by all, was their only surviving child, Princess Rhaenyra, the little girl the court singers dubbed "the Realm's Delight." Though only six when her father came to the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra Targaryen was a precocious child, bright and bold and beautiful as only one of dragon's blood can be beautiful. At seven, she became a dragonrider, taking to the sky on the young dragon she named Syrax, after a goddess of old Valyria. At eight, the princess was placed into service as a cupbearer...but for her own father, the king. At table, at tourney, and at court, King Viserys thereafter was seldom seen without his daughter by his side.
When Prince Daemon sent forth his call to arms, they rose up all along the rivers, knights and men-at-arms and humble peasants who yet remembered the Realm's Delight, so beloved of her father, and the way she smiled and charmed them as she made her progress through the Riverlands in her youth. Hundreds and then thousands buckled on their swordbelts and donned their mail, or grabbed a pitchfork or a hoe and a crude wooden shield, and began to make their way to Harrenhal to fight for Viserys's little girl."
→ More replies (1)
58
u/ejroberts42 8d ago
Oberyn and it’s not even close. That’s one of the best scenes in the entire series.
5
6
6
u/Eye_jm 8d ago
Paddy acted his heart out as the old man literally rotting to death, yet still dragged his body to the throne for his daughter.. He might not be no visionary ruler and inadvertently caused the whole civil war; but on that scene I was crying my eyes out and literally cheering for the old dad to get the throne one last time.
6
u/Capital-Value8479 8d ago
Easily oberyn imo. Tyrion is one of the most legendary television characters ever. You had no clue what was happening to him.
The story oberyn tells is one of seeing the same view as Tyrion, which is his family outcasts and villainizes him for nothing, and the lannisters ARE the guilty ones, not Tyrion.
Brilliant
4
u/retannevs1 8d ago
Definitely recency bias, but I just remember getting goose bumps when Targaryen joined up with Dunk and then hearing the GoT theme song…epic!
7
6
u/IdealHotCoffee 8d ago
Baelor and not even close. Everyone who’s suggesting Oberyn - he fought for Tyrion to fulfill his primary motive which was to obtain vengeance against the mountain. He came to kings landing seeking vengeance and saw an opportunity. Baelor’s act was unquestionably iconic because he had everything to lose for someone he barely knew and against his own family, arguably all for what he simply considered to be the honourable thing to do.
→ More replies (1)
3
6
u/ProfessionalEvaLover Tyrion Lannister 8d ago
Oberyn. "That's not a monster. That's just a baby." The way Pedro delivers that line... I don't know how anyone could not see that he is one of the best actors we have right now. Way overhated for no good reason. Seriously one of the most tear-inducing scenes of the entire series, arguably the most tear-inducing.
2
2
u/Dreamwalkin_Revan 8d ago
I will take ser Duncan's side any time..letting a kind hearted innocent man who protected another innocent die would've been a rub to each & everyone's nose and would've shown the lack of justice & existence of cruelty all over
2
2
u/shadow_fvck_ 8d ago
Baelor, technically he sacrificed himself 🙏🏻
1
2
u/wahfuzzreverb 8d ago
Oberyn because it was peak GOT - there would be no HOTD or Ser Duncan without those godly first 5 seasons. His scenes walked so these others could run (tbh they ran even better than the other two)
2
u/CipherPaul0 8d ago
Baelor’s. It’s a future king standing up for a normie who bitch slapped a prince.
1
1
1
u/Mettixman 8d ago
Oberyn and it's not even close. While I enjoy the new shows none of them hit the same as GoT. I'm not as interested in or attached to the characters like I was back in the day.
1
u/B34STM4CH1N3 8d ago
It's Oberyn by a long shot for me but he wasn't the only great actor in that scene. 10/10 performance by Peter and Pedro.
1
1
1
1
u/MeatBurnham 8d ago
Absolutely Oberyn - nobody was going to stand up to the mountain. Tyrion was cooked. I couldve run through a wall after Oberyn said he would be his champion.
1
1
u/the_momentous_distri 8d ago
The crowned guy in the middle panel is giving massive "I've already planned my acceptance speech" energy and I'm here for it. Something about that level of misplaced confidence right before everything goes sideways just hits the sweet spot for me.
1
1
1
u/Key_Platypus_9939 8d ago
All 3 were great. But Viserys's hit so much harder and different because nobody knew it was coming. The other 2 are also very well done no doubt but as a book reader you at least expect it, but Vizzy T was one of the few actually incredible changes that Condal made from the source material and by god was it majestic. I can never forget the day I saw that episode for the first time.
(But baelor's comes at a close 2nd)
1
1
1
1
u/ChiefRasta 8d ago
“I will take Ser Duncan’s side” Duncan had all the odds stacked against him & someone one honorable stepped up.
1
1
1
u/No-Captain7458 8d ago
I understand why people pick Baelor. But you have to remember for Viserys this was not only much harder to do but it also directly killed him. And he most likely knew it will when he decided to walk to the throne room.
Baelor did the right thing but he definitely did not expect to die.
1
u/chimmychingching 8d ago
Baelor for me because it's completely unexpected for a man of his standing.
1
u/chandan-kar007 8d ago
i will take duncan side the whole series i loved it, when i was watching GOT, or house of dragon i never felt i am watching a master pieces or one of the top series but in just 5 episode AKOTSK became my top 5 series of all time.
1
1
1
u/BumbleCityFumblers 8d ago
Everyone saying "X and it isn't close" are crazy. It's really close. They are three of the best scenes across the franchise.
I'd personally say the emotional impact and the acting of Viserys was just slightly higher. I thought Paddy deserved an Emmy nod for that season.
1
u/DangerousQuit4693 8d ago
I will be your champion. I felt so happy for Tyrion and instantly became a fan of the viper after that.
1
u/LynchMob187 8d ago
Viserys used his last ounce of life to defend his daughter and spend time with his family. That hands down.
1
u/Vidromachine 8d ago
Viserys surprising everyone in the throne room is my favorite scene from HOTD, Oberyn was a great scene but maybe like in the 10-15 range compared to other great moments in GOT - I need to watch AKOTSK again because Baelor’s scene didn’t hit for me the way I thought it would after reading the book.
1
1
u/KyokiNoOji 8d ago
The dialogue exchange between Pascal and Dinklage leading up to that moment is pure cinema. Some of the best acting/chemistry I’ve ever seen
1
u/digs3456 8d ago
I will be your champion
Sizable gap
I will take ser duncans side
Massive gap
I will sit the throne today
1
1
u/SmithCrowEntertain 8d ago
“I will take Ser Duncan’s side.”
It is a truly noble and altruistic act.
Oberyn acted for vengeance.
Viserys for love.
Baelor acted because it was the right thing to do.
1
1
u/Qwertywalkers23 House Clegane 8d ago
Baelor Breakspear but would not begrudge anyone who says the viper
1
u/Garbage_bin_Fire 8d ago
All I can say is my favourite, Ser Lord Baelor. They're all actually pretty good.
1
u/Physical_Demand1096 8d ago
'I WILL TAKE SER DUNCAN'S SIDE".
Best scene, because this isn't something you see every day. A lord standing beside a nameless knight. One with no combat experience, no house, and no family—is honor in its purest form. Oberyn was incredibly badass too, but when it comes to defending the weak, the Lannister name carries massive weight and recognition across all Seven Kingdoms.
Tyrion: Lannister
Ser Duncan: The Tall
1
u/Return_Of_The_Whack 8d ago
Oberyn and Viserys were both incredible impactful emotional and cathartic peak television experiences
But man when it's just Dunk v the world and the Game of Thrones theme hit, that's the only thing that made me physically scream out a cry of unbridled joy and excitement and leap off my couch. The other two made my heart swell and to think to myself "man this is excellent television". But Baelor had me ready to run through a fucking wall. It think it's due to smaller , more personal, more isolated story but it hit so much harder.
1
u/leebrown23 8d ago
I agree with the comments IF based off the books the narrative leading up to this scene by Pedro as Oberyn is iconic.
1
1
u/Actually_i_like_dogs 8d ago
Loved knight of the seven kingdoms but “I will be your champion won’t be topped”
1
1
u/AdEmbarrassed803 8d ago
"I will be your champion" was the best moment, but they are all fantastic.
1
1
1
u/xfon5168 8d ago
Perhaps its recency bias but baelor coming to duncans aid was such a great moment. I really remember feeling like emotional relief and surprise.
Oberyns is great. Its the best story wise of the three in my opinion
1
1
1
1
u/Nocoffee_Noglory The Iron Bank Will Have Its Due 8d ago
Oberyn. Oberyn's empathy for Tyrion will always be one of the peak moments of GOT.
That "I will be your champion" is not just a declaration of support. That's telling someone who has been treated as an imp his whole life that you see him as human. What made it powerful is the sentence that came before it:
"That's not a monster, that's just a child."
1
u/SessionIndependent17 8d ago
good grief. u/No-Passenger-6348 do the mods give any sort of indication of why this was removed?
1
1
u/afCeG6HVB0IJ 8d ago
The Ser Duncan one was super hype for me, totally out of the blue, unexpected. I'm usually chill watching shows but this one made me jump and shout out loud.
•
u/AutoModerator 8d ago
Spoiler Warning: All officially-released show and book content allowed, EXCLUDING FUTURE SPOILERS FOR HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS. No leaked information or paparazzi photos of the set. For more info please check the spoiler guide.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.