RANKED: The 15 best 'Game of Thrones' episodes so far

Now that there's more battles, twists, deaths, wildfire explosions, Frey pies, and alliances, the episodes have gotten more intense with more action than exposition there are still some stand-out episodes from the earlier seasons.

In preparation for season 7 premiering July 16 (so close, but feels as far as Daenerys has been from Westeros this whole time), we ranked the 15 best episodes just in case you're one of those people who doesn't have enough time to re-watch the entire series in less than two weeks.

Here are the best episodes of "Game of Thrones," ranked.

15. “The Old Gods and the New” — season 2, episode 6

First aired:

Biggest moment:

14. "Two Swords" — season 4, episode 1

First aired: April 6, 2014

Biggest moment: The Hound wants some chicken and helps Arya get Needle back/cross Polliver's name off her list.

We're introduced to Oberyn Martell, who arrives in King's Landing for Joffrey and Margaery's wedding. Joffrey makes fun of Jaime's lack of a hand. Brienne persuades Jaime to keep his word on protecting Arya and Sansa Stark. Jon Snow almost gets executed for his time undercover with the Wildlings (aka: for sleeping with Ygritte), but Maester Aemon releases him.

13. “The Children” — season 4, episode 10

First aired:

Biggest moment:

David Benioff and D. B. Weiss were nominated for the 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for this episode.

12. "The Lion and the Rose" — season 4, episode 2

First aired:

Biggest moment: Joffrey is poisoned to death at his wedding to Margaery Tyrell.

At the wedding, Cersei confronts Brienne and accuses her of being in love with Jaime. Oberyn also makes sure that Cersei understands that she's not the queen — she is Queen regent. But the Purple Wedding isn't the only big part of the episode. Bran has a vision and discovers where to find the three-eyed raven, and Theon/Reek admits to Ramsay and Roose Bolton that he did not kill Bran and Rickon Stark.

George R.R. Martin wrote the episode, and Lena Headey submitted this episode for consideration for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

11. “Baelor” — season 1, episode 9

First aired: June 12, 2011

Biggest moment: Ned Stark loses his head/life.

10. "You Win Or You Die" — season 1, episode 7

First aired:

Biggest moment:

9. “The Mountain and the Viper” — season 4, episode 10

First aired:

Biggest moment:

8. “And Now His Watch Is Ended” — season 3, episode 4

First aired:

Biggest moment:

7. “The Door” — season 6, episode 5

First aired:

Biggest moment:

6. “Walk of Punishment“ — season 3, episode 3

First aired:

Biggest moment:

5. “Hardhome” — season 5, episode 8

First aired:

Biggest moment:

4. “Battle of the Bastards” — season 6, episode 9

First aired:

Biggest moment:

Pretty much this entire episode was a battle rivaling the epic scale of any episode before it. Before the gruesome, nerve-racking battle that occupies the majority of the episode, Daenerys returns to Meereen riding Drogon and destroys the Sons of the Harpy in a clever plan executed with the help of Tyrion Lannister and Grey Worm. The episode also features an epic stare down from Lady Mormont.

Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding DirectingOutstanding WritingOutstanding Supporting Actor

3. “The Rains of Castamere” — season 3, episode 9

First aired:

Biggest moment:

2. “Blackwater” — season 2, episode 9

First aired:

Biggest moment:

This was the first major battle in "Game of Thrones" history, and certainly the first filmed on such a grand scale. What makes this episode so good isn't necessarily the battle, though. The choice to keep this episode contained to King's Landing and the characters in it brought some empathy for Cersei Lannister (Lena Heady, giving one of the best performances of the show) and her children, some more insight on Shae, and gave a good feel for what it's like to be in a castle under siege.

Peter Dinklage chose this episode for consideration for Outstanding Performance for an Actor in a Television Drama for the 64th Emmy Awards.

1. "The Winds of Winter" — season 6, episode 10

First aired:

Biggest moment:

Lena Headey was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the 68th Emmy Awards for this episode.