A decade since it aired and Hardhome is still my favorite Game of Thrones episode

Among the many Game of Thrones episodes that successfully strike a subtle balance between engaging and outright marvelous, Hardhome stands out at the top. This eighth episode of the fifth season remains my favorite as it was tasked with lifting the show from a lull to new heights, and it truly delivered!

A decade has passed since Hardhome first aired on HBO, yet it still delivers plenty of impact, from Tyrion's appearance to the arrival of the White Walkers.

Here's everything that you need to know.

Hardhome was a spectacular Game of Thrones episode

The fifth season of Game of Thrones took a different direction from what was initially outlined in the book series, and Hardhome was arguably the episode where the show deviated the most from its source material. However, that didn't stop the episode from gaining special significance for me.

For starters, Sansa's character transformed from a distressed damsel to someone who confronts Greyjoy with her accusations. This was unexpected in the best way and proved to be a welcome surprise. It was even revealed during their exchange that the two boys killed weren't Bran and Rickon, but rather two farmboys.

On the other hand, the depiction of Arya's training with the Faceless Men in Braavos created significant anticipation for her return to Westeros. Furthermore, the dialogue scene involving Tyrion and Daenerys added a new level of gravitas to this Game of Thrones episode.

However, all of these elements paled compared to the spectacular battle at the maritime settlement of Hardhome, from which the episode also derived its name. The appearance of the terrifying White Walkers and the Night King was particularly haunting, both for me and the Wildlings.

Game of Thrones director opens up about Hardhome

Miguel Sapochnik was the director of Game of Thrones who helmed the episode "Hardhome." Speaking in an exclusive interview with Vulture magazine, Sapochnik shared his insights from the experience of filming the famous action sequence towards the end of the episode:

"I try to approach all episodic work the same. No matter the content. I look for a dramatic or emotional spine to the story I’m telling, something that stands out to me thematically about the episode and its relationship to the rest of the season/series. Then I talk to the writers or showrunners about what their expectations are or what they are trying to get from this story."

He further added:

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"With “Hardhome” it was the same, just bigger and more to keep in your mind at any one time. But you keep turning it over and over and eventually the good ideas stick, the bad ones fall away, and by the time you come to shoot, you’ve imagined it enough that shooting is, on the one hand, academic, and on the other, this great opportunity to free yourself up to exciting mistakes and discoveries you never could have thought of. But all the while knowing in the back of your mind that you still have this solid version you worked out that you can always fall back on if things stop working when you are shooting."

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