Kit Harington’s Favorite Game Of Thrones Episode Was Even Better Than Battle Of The Bastards

Kit Harington confessed his favorite Game of Thrones episode, and it’s not exactly a surprise that the Jon Snow actor chose one with perhaps the most epic battle in TV history. The entire focus of the series is the fight for the Iron Throne, resulting in wars waged and many, many lives lost, several of them in some of Game of Thrones‘ best battles. Then there’s also the impending threat of the Night King and his White Walkers, which would have ultimately had much more devastating consequences were it not for Jon Snow.

Though Ygritte may think Jon Snow knows nothing, the Night’s Watchman actually knows quite a bit about fighting in battle. He is also probably the closest Game of Thrones gets to a true hero, willing to risk his life to save others while empowering the people around him to do the same. It’s Jon’s sense of bravery and nobility that results in a television battle for the ages, and Kit Harington’s favorite GoT episode — and no, it’s not “Battle of the Bastards”.

Kit Harington’s Favorite Game Of Thrones Episode Is “Hardhome”

The Jon Snow Actor Is Right About The Battle’s TV Legacy

Jon Snow has many great moments in Game of Thrones, but his most memorable have to be in season 5, episode 8, “Hardhome,” which just so happens to be Kit Harington’s favorite episode. In it, Jon and Tormund reach the titular village beyond the Wall to forge an alliance with the wildlings, in which they would fight the White Walkers in exchange for getting to settle south of the Wall. Many wildlings agree, and an absolute battle for the ages ensues, resulting in many lives not only lost, but also in the Night King turning the dead into wights.

However, some good came from the Hardhome battle, and that is Jon Snow discovering that Valyrian steel can kill White Walkers, a pivotal piece of information that is put to good use in the Battle of Winterfell, in which the Night King meets his demise. Indeed, “Hardhome” changed the game not only for the show, but also TV action sequences as a whole, a sentiment beautifully summed up by Kit Harington (via TVLine):

“‘Hardhome’ still stands out. There’s a battle this season which definitely stands out, but ‘Hardhome’ for me was sort of where everything changed in Thrones. Like the ambition in a battle or a fight got far greater, and I think that’s where they made their mark on action sequences in TV.”

“Hardhome” Contains One Of The Best Battle Sequences In TV History

It’s A Big-Budget Bloody Spectacle

If there’s one word that can be used to describe the Battle of Hardhome, it’s visceral​​​​​​. When I watched the battles for the throne happening south of the wall, I was always riveted, but very aware I was watching a show, whereas in “Hardhome”, I felt like I was in the battle myself. The action sequence is scrappy and relentless, and unlike any of those of other Game of Thrones battles, it’s purely for survival.

Kit Harington also revealed that Game of Thrones had a bigger budget for season 5 than any other in the show’s history (via EW), and it really shows here. With approximately 400 extras and 50 stuntmen, the scope is absolutely epic, and the cinematography and CGI are astonishing.

All of this culminates in one of the most terrifying, heartbreaking conclusions to a battle, when thousands of wildlings have fallen, only to be turned into wights by the Night King. I think I held my breath for all five minutes of that intense sequence, only to let out a choked sob at Karsi’s eyes turning blue as she becomes just another soldier in the Night King’s army.

How “Hardhome” Compares To Other Battles In Game Of Thrones

It’s Epic Action Meets Zombie Horror

Most fans can agree that between that and any battle that came before it, Hardhome is the best in Game of Thrones. Season 1 didn’t have nearly the budget for this kind of spectacle, and though seasons 2-4 had some great action sequences, they weren’t as memorable as the Battle of Hardhome. Then there’s season 8, which contains some of the worst battles in the show’s history, from the mind-bogglingly, literally dark Battle of Winterfell to the Battle of King’s Landing, which resulted from the horrible decision to turn Daenerys into a villain.

Then there’s the mother of all Game of Thrones battles, the absolute gold standard: the Battle of the Bastards. In terms of cinematic scope and stakes for the characters, there’s no debating that Battle of the Bastards wins the day over Hardhome. However, I would argue that the Battle of Hardhome is more innovative.

It’s an epic battle sequence in its own right, but it’s also a zombie horror scene scary enough to terrify the most seasoned horror buffs. Also, let’s not forget that Kit Harington teased the Battle of the Bastards in his interview and still picked Hardhome as the best in Game of Thrones. It’s a little hard to argue with Jon Snow on that one.