Valar Morghulis: A Ranking Of 'GOT's' Most Threatening One-Liners
Warning: Spoilers are revealed throughout this article.
With the season over and our hearts effectively torn out of our chests, it’s time to reflect on the last five seasons of "Game of Thrones."
There have been happy moments (though few and far between), many somber storylines, a few cringe-worthy scenes and a ton of badass one-liners.
And, while the deaths of our favorite characters (I mean, seriously? Jon Snow was our only hope!) may leave us gasping for breath and shots of vodka, it’s their words that linger in the backs of our minds.
It’s the quotes, witty comebacks and sarcastic digs we find ourselves mumbling over and over again, and repeating almost pathetically in every conversation we can.
The best scenes involve some dangerous threats that leave everyone speechless (or, if you’re like me, screaming, "Yasss!" at the screen until your throat runs dry).
Cersei is a pro at this, but there’s something about Tyrion’s words that have the tendency to send shivers down our spines. Daenerys is constantly being bombarded by some new enemy and always has the perfect threat to bite out.
But, even Arya and Sansa know how to use their words to pack a punch. Here’s a list of the best threatening one-liners throughout the seasons:
14. Catelyn Stark - Season 3, Episode 9
"On my honor as a Tully, on my honor as a Stark, let him go, or I will cut your wife's throat."
This quote was so powerful in its desperation. Catelyn wasn’t someone who’d go down without a fight, even when all hope was lost, and she made good on her word.
13. Cersei Lannister - Season 5, Episode 7
“Look at me. Look at my face. It’s the last thing you’ll see before you die.”
Who would have thought we’d see Cersei fall? Maybe she deserved it; maybe she didn’t, and maybe it was all her fault in the first place.
But, she sure as hell wasn’t going to bend to the will of the High Sparrow so easily.
12. Daenerys Targaryen - Season 4, Episode 4
“I will answer injustice with justice.”
After freeing the slaves of Meereen, Daenerys decides to take justice into her own hands. By nailing the Masters to crosses like they did their slave children, she showed no mercy.
This was one of the biggest “Oh sh*t!” moments of the season, proving Daenerys was not going to take her reign lightly.
11. Sansa Stark - Season 1, Episode 10
Joffrey: "I'll tell you what. I'm going to give you a present. After I raise my armies and kill your traitor brother, I'll give you his head as well." Sansa: "Or maybe he'll give me yours."
Sansa’s father was beheaded right in front of her eyes after having been promised mercy. This girl was put through so much throughout the seasons, and people tend to overlook her bravery and courage.
This scene proves there was a fire inside her all along.
10. Oberyn Martell - Season 4, Episode 1
"Tell your father I'm here — and tell him the Lannisters aren't the only ones who pay their debts."
Most of us didn’t know what to think of Oberyn when he was first introduced, other than, "Damn! Is this man beautiful or what?"
But with this line, we all knew sh*t was going to hit the fan at some point. You've got to love a man on a mission, especially when that mission is vengeance.
9. Tyrion Lannister - Season 3, Episode 10
"Oh, 'monster'? Perhaps you should speak to me more softly then. Monsters are dangerous and, just now, kings are dying like flies."
Tyrion seemed to be the only one not wiling to put up with Joffrey’s sh*t, even after it became obvious what a terror the late king was.
In this scene, Tyrion takes his threats a step futher than before and we rooted him on through every second of it.
8. High Sparrow - Season 5, Episode 7
“A life of wealth and privilege has left you blind in one eye — you are the few, we are the many, and when the many stop fearing the few…”
The High Sparrow may have been speaking with Olenna Tyrell, but he already knew what was in store for the Queen Mother.
This quote marks a defining point in the season, showing just how feeble the power behind wealth and a family name can be.
7. Daenerys Targaryen - Season 5, Episode 8
“Lannister, Targaryen, Baratheon, Stark, Tyrell, they're all just spokes on a wheel. This one’s on top, then that one's on top, and on and on it spins, crushing those on the ground. I’m not going to stop the wheel, I’m going to break the wheel.”
Daenerys is ready to take things to the next level. She’s ready to move on from Meereen and over to Westeros.
And, now that she has a Lannister on her side, it seems as though nothing will derail her from her mission (except, maybe, everything).
6. Arya Stark - Season 3, Episode 9
“Some day I'm going to put a sword through your eye and out the back of your skull.”
Damn, Arya. How can you not love this girl? She’s got a list of people she’s hellbent on killing, and she’s made a good dent in it thus far.
When she threatens The Hound with these words, everyone watching knows she plans to make good on them.
5. Cersei Lannister - Season 3, Episode 8
"If you ever call me sister again I'll have you strangled in your sleep."
Can’t we all just get along? Okay, so Margaery was totally working her manipulation, and she knew she’d never get on Cersei’s good side, but I doubt she was ready for such a blunt proclamation from the Queen Mother.
It didn’t stop her from pushing her luck, though.
4. Daenerys Targeryen - Season 2, Episode 6
“I am Daenerys Stormborn, and I will take what is mine, with fire and blood.”
All Daenerys wants is a few ships to cross the Narrow Sea. But, no one is willing to take the risk. I mean, who even is this girl, anyway?
Oh, just you wait. This is one of the first of many declarations proving just how strong and determined this girl can be.
3. Tyrion Lannister - Season 2, Episode 8
"I will hurt you for this. A day will come when you think you are safe and happy, and your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth. And you will know the debt is paid."
After Cersei finds out about Tyrion’s secret love affair, she makes her move. And, while she didn’t get her hands on Shae (not yet, anyway), she reinforced the hatred we all felt toward her from the start.
This was the strongest threat ever uttered by Tyrion, and it left us all feeling just as sick with rage.
2. Daenerys Targaryen - Season 1, Episode 4
"The next time you raise a hand to me will be the last time you have hands!”
What a defining moment for our Mother of Dragons! Before this scene, Daenerys was just a chess piece to her brother, Viserys. He had his eyes on the Iron Throne and was willing to do anything (and put his sister through anything) to get there.
But, our Khaleesi wasn’t having it. And in the end, Viserys got what he deserved.
1. Cersei Lannister - Season 1, Episode 7
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.”
This quote is a classic! And, it’s the truest quote of the entire show. These characters are just pawns, every last one of them. And, once you’re in the game, the only way out is death.
Stay strong and remember:
