annashay 
Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) was always one of the most compelling characters in Game of Thrones. While the series went off the rails at the end, Tyrion was always a consistent presence. His character arc held the overall narrative together at so many moments when other characters went completely off the rails. While some fans are still bitter about his ultimate endorsement of a certain “Raven” as the new ruler of Westeros, Tyrion’s consistency still stands out in the series overall.
Tyrion’s journey was one of the best ones featured in Game of Thrones, and several episodes highlight just how much he developed as a character. Some episodes highlight the fact that Tyrion’s power came from his brilliant mind and deep understanding of the nature of power. Other episodes showcase how he was always able to turn his vulnerabilities into strengths. The best Tyrion-centered episodes of Game of Thrones show just how complex this character always was.
10
“Home”
Season 6, Episode 2
In the second episode of Game of Thrones‘ sixth season, Tyrion learns that the cities of Astapor and Yunkai have been captured by former slavers. Tyrion decides to unshackle Viserion and Rhaegal. He knows that Mereen will need dragons to defend it, so he takes it upon himself to set them free. When doing so, he takes this as a moment to fully take in the fact that he has come so far and that he is fully committed to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and her cause.
Setting the dragons free to defend Mereen signals that Tyrion never lost his power…
Tyrion’s choice to unshackle the dragons is an important moment for him as a character. While this episode focuses on other stories, including the resurrection of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), this is a crucial episode in Tyrion’s character development. Setting the dragons free to defend Mereen signals that Tyrion never lost his power, even after having to flee King’s Landing. Tyrion unshackling the dragons is a physical manifestation of the fact that he has always been one of the series’ most powerful characters.
9
“The Gift”
Season 5, Episode 7
Much of the fifth season of Game of Thrones saw Tyrion running for his life and facing the consequences of killing his father. He is both literally and metaphorically set adrift as he outruns his sister who wants him dead. Near the end of the season, Tyrion meets Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen). The two are sold into slavery, and taken to Daznak’s fighting pit. After Jorah beats the other fighters, he reveals his true identity and presents Tyrion as a kind of gift to Daenerys.
…This is the episode that sets the stage for Tyrion to become a completely different character as he gets a new lease on life.
This episode is an important one for Tyrion since it represents the end of his time running away and the start of a new chapter as an advisor to Daenerys Targaryen. This is the beginning of two important relationships for Tyrion. Given the fact that these three spent a lot of time sharing the screen in the show’s later seasons, this episode may seem unimportant. However, this is the episode that sets the stage for Tyrion to become a completely different character as he gets a new lease on life.
8
“Mhysa”
Season 3, Episode 10
The season finale of Game of Thrones‘ third season takes place in the aftermath of the Red Wedding, where Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) and Robb Stark (Richard Madden) are killed alongside other members of their house and army. When the Lannisters are informed that their plan has been successful, Tyrion warns his family that the Northerners will never forget their family’s role in the massacre. He then shares a tender moment with Sansa (Sophie Turner), who he tries to comfort.
…Tyrion is able to see how cruelty makes them weaker.
This is one of Tyrion’s most important episodes because it shows the depth of his character. Watching him do his best to comfort his wife is bittersweet, since there’s obviously nothing he can say to address her pain. This episode shows that Tyrion is capable of seeing the big picture, unlike his family. While his father and sister are single-minded in their focus on maintaining power, Tyrion is able to see how cruelty makes them weaker.
7
“A Golden Crown”
Season 1, Episode 6
Many of Tyrion’s stories in the early seasons of Game of Thrones revolve around the fact that he’s always able to rely on his wits to get out of difficult situations. Some of these are funny, and some are life-threateningly dangerous. Early in the show’s first season, Tyrion is captured by Catelyn and imprisoned by her sister. He is given the option of a trial by combat, and chooses Bronn (Jerome Flynn), a sellword, to fight his battle.
Tyrion and Bronn’s friendship is essential to this series.
This episode is one of Tyrion’s best because it establishes arguably one of the most interesting relationships featured in the show. Tyrion and Bronn’s friendship is essential to this series. Seeing the beginning of their friendship is heartwarming, charming, and downright hilarious, just like they both are as characters. This episode is also proof that, as brilliant as Tyrion is, he has always relied on others to help him out of the stickiest situations.
6
“The North Remembers”
Season 2, Episode 1
Game of Thrones Season 2 kicks off with a complete shift in the power dynamics that exist in Westeros. After Ned Stark’s (Sean Bean) execution, his son Robb rides south to avenge his death. Joffrey’s (Jack Gleeson) reign is characterized by chaos and cruelty. As the Lannister family mostly enables Joffrey’s sadism to continue unchecked, Tyrion is made Hand of the King in his father’s place. He makes clear that he intends to use his new political power to keep his nephew in check.
As the Lannister family mostly enables Joffrey’s sadism to continue unchecked, Tyrion is made Hand of the King in his father’s place.
This episode shows how Tyrion recognizes where the real power in Westeros lies. He goes so far as to mock his sister Cersei (Lena Headey) for her inability to keep Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) detained. This season premiere is a turning point for Tyrion since he is finally given a chance to put his intellectual abilities to use by making use of an official title. The fact that he isn’t afraid to go against his own family shows how well he understands how precarious their grip on power is.
5
“Valar Dohaeris”
Season 3, Episode 1
Before Game of Thrones‘ unfortunate ending, the series often used its season premieres to set up new dynamics for the characters. The third season’s premiere episode is another example of one that puts Tyrion on a new path. In this episode, he gets a chance to confront his father directly. Tyrion’s relationship with his father, Tywin (Charles Dance), is one of the most important parts of his character and this episode puts this in the spotlight.
Watching Tywin explode at Tyrion and tell his son in no uncertain terms that he was never loved is both heartbreaking and a moment of clarity.
Tywin’s relationship with all of his children could hardly be described as healthy or warm. His particular hatred of Tyrion, however, always stood out. This hatred comes out in this season premiere, when Tyrion asks to be named as heir to Casterly Rock. Watching Tywin explode at Tyrion and tell his son in no uncertain terms that he was never loved is both heartbreaking and a moment of clarity. This moment is important for Tyrion’s character, because it highlights in no uncertain terms where all his pain originated from.
4
“Blackwater”
Season 2, Episode 9
“Blackwater” sets up the end of Game of Thrones‘ second season by showing the influential Battle of Blackwater Bay. As Hand of the King, Tyrion is tasked with defending King’s Landing from a Baratheon naval invasion. Although it was never in doubt that Tyrion’s intelligence made him a brilliant military strategist, the actual battle gives him a chance to prove to himself and others that he is also an exceptionally skilled warrior.
…It was never in doubt that Tyrion’s intelligence made him a brilliant military strategist, the actual battle gives him a chance to prove to himself…
This is one of Tyrion’s most important episodes because it highlights the fact that he is more than his intelligence. Watching Tyrion be given a chance to step up and take charge in a practical way while Joffrey runs away and hides shows how well-suited to power he always was. This episode shows that he could be a brilliant leader as a politician and a soldier if he was given the chance and if this was something he wanted.
3
“The Children”
Season 4, Episode 10
“The Children” is another example of a Game of Thrones season finale that completely upends the story. Although it was always clear that Tywin and Tyrion would have one final, brutal confrontation, it still comes as a shock to see Tyrion take his fate into his own hands in such a shocking way. After Tywin tries to have Tyrion accused of Joffrey’s murder, Tyrion has no choice but to have one final confrontation with the man who never loved him.
…It was always clear that Tywin and Tyrion would have one final, brutal confrontation…
It’s difficult not to sympathize with Tyrion, especially as he has to suffer the indignity of seeing the love of his life in his father’s bed. While it might be jarring to see Tyrion kill his father with a crossbow in a privy, it’s ultimately a fitting end for a man who never had anything other than hatred for his youngest child. This is one of Tyrion’s standout moments.
2
“Second Sons”
Season 3, Episode 8
After Joffrey ends his engagement to Sansa, Tywin orders Tyrion to marry her, even though he is significantly older. Neither Sansa nor Tyrion want this marriage, and so it’s no surprise that the wedding itself is a deeply awkward event. Although Tyrion does his best to try to reassure Sansa that he means her no harm, there’s no hiding that this marriage represents a kind of cage for Sansa as she remains trapped in King’s Landing.
…Tyrion again reveals the depth of his character by first thinking of Sansa…
This is a heartbreaking Tyrion-centered episode because it shows how his family is willing to humiliate him at every opportunity. Despite this, however, Tyrion again reveals the depth of his character by first thinking of Sansa and doing everything he can to put her at ease. While this marriage doesn’t fundamentally change who he is, it reveals that his focus on power never makes him abusive, unlike members of his family.
1
“The Laws of Gods and Man”
Season 4, Episode 6
“The Laws of Gods and Man” emphasizes everything that makes Tyrion one of this series’ best characters. His family wastes no time in blaming him for Joffrey’s death, and he’s immediately detained. He’s given the chance to speak for himself at his show trial. Although he knows that he will be condemned and blamed for a murder he didn’t commit, he takes his chance to call out his father for hating him all his life.
Rather than quietly accepting his fate, Tyrion shows everyone that he would never surrender without a fight.
What makes this the best Tyrion Lannister episode of Game of Thrones is the fact that he is finally given a chance to air his grievances. Watching him express a lifetime of hurt and resentment is heartbreaking, since it’s clear he’s been holding this in for years. Rather than quietly accepting his fate, Tyrion shows everyone that he would never surrender without a fight. His speech defending himself is one of the most memorable moments in the entire series, and is still held up as an example of when the show was at its best.
