Home > Game of Thrones > Season 1 « TV Series Page Game of Thrones: Season 1 (2011) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Want to see Episode List Season 1 Game of Thrones Critics Consensus Its intricate storytelling and dark themes may overwhelm some viewers, but Game of Thrones is a transportive, well-acted, smartly written drama even non-genre fans can appreciate. 90% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 40 96% Audience Score User Ratings: 6771 More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 100% Winter Is Coming Air date: Apr 17, 2011 Series Premiere. Lord Ned Stark is troubled by disturbing reports from a Night's Watch deserter; King Robert and Lannisters arrive at Winterfell; the exiled Viserys Targaryen forges a powerful new allegiance. More 2 100% The Kingsroad Air date: Apr 24, 2011 Bran's fate remains in doubt; Jon and Tyrion head to the Wall; Ned faces a family crisis en route to King's Landing; Viserys bides his time in hopes of winning back the throne; Dany focuses on pleasing her new husband, Drogo. More 3 86% Lord Snow Air date: May 1, 2011 Jon impresses Tyrion at Castle Black; Ned confronts his past and future at King's Landing; Daenerys finds herself at odds with Viserys. More 4 100% Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things Air date: May 8, 2011 Ned looks to a book for clues to the death of his predecessor, and uncovers one of King Robert's bastards. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Sam; a frustrated Viserys clashes with Daenerys. More 5 95% The Wolf and the Lion Air date: May 15, 2011 Incensed over news of Daenerys' alliance with the Dothrakis, Robert orders a pre-emptive strike on the Targaryens that drives a wedge in his relationship with Ned. A captive Tyrion helps Catelyn. Arya overhears a plot against her father. More 6 100% A Golden Crown Air date: May 22, 2011 Reinstated as the Hand, Ned sits for the King while Robert is on a hunt. Ned issues a decree that could have long-term consequences. Tyrion confesses to his 'crimes'; Joffrey apologizes to Sansa; Viserys receives from Drogo his final payment for Daenerys. More 7 100% You Win or You Die Air date: May 29, 2011 Ned confronts Cersei about her secrets; Jon takes his Night's Watch vows; Drogo promises to lead the Dorthraki to King's Landing. More 8 100% The Pointy End Air date: Jun 5, 2011 The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his fathers northern allies and heads south to war; Tyrion forms an uneasy alliance with the hill tribes and reunites with his father. More 9 100% Baelor Air date: Jun 12, 2011 With Sansas's life in danger, Ned makes a fateful decision. Catelyn brokers an unsavory deal. Tyrion is forced to fight on the front lines. Robb captures a prized prisoner. Jon discovers a dark secret about Maester Aemon. More 10 100% Fire and Blood Air date: Jun 19, 2011 Season One Finale. As tragic news spreads across the Seven Kingdoms, Bran and Rickon share a prophetic dream, Catelyn interrogates Jaime about her sons fall, and Robbs destiny is forever changed. More Game of Thrones: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (29) Tv Season Info Get in the 'Game'! Experience the first season of this visionary HBO series set in a mythical world whose inhabitants vie for control of the Iron Throne. But in a land where seasons can last a lifetime, winter is coming...and an ancient evil has awakened. Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Network: HBO Premiere Date: Apr 17, 2011 Exec. Producers: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss Cast Sean Bean as Eddard "Ned" Stark Mark Addy as King Robert Baratheon Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy Kit Harington as Jon Snow Richard Madden as Robb Stark Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo Maisie Williams as Arya Stark Rory McCann as Sandor "The Hound" Clegane Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark Ron Donachie as Ser Rodrik Cassel Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin Conleth Hill as Varys Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy Jerome Flynn as Bronn Jamie Sives as Jory Cassel Gethin Anthony as Renly Baratheon Owen Teale as Allister Thorne Susan Brown as Septa Mordane Francis Magee as Yoren Dar Salim as Qotho Amrita Acharia as Irri Mark Stanley (VI) as Grenn John Bradley as Samwell Tarly Luke McEwan as Rast James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont Josef Altin as Pypar Kate Dickie as Lysa Arryn Miltos Yerolemou as Syrio Forel Elyes Gabel as Rakharo Esmé Bianco as Ros Kristian Nairn as Hodor Peter Vaughan as Maester Aemon Natalia Tena as Osha Roxanne McKee as Doreah Joseph Mawle as Benjen Stark Mia Soteriou as Mirri Maz Duur Callum Wharry as Tommen Baratheon Aimee Richardson as Myrcella Baratheon Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister Dominic Carter as Janos Slynt Emun Elliott as Marillion Wilko Johnson as Ilyn Payne Clive Mantle as Greatjon Umber Robert Sterne Miltos Yerolemou as Syrio Forel Lino Facioli as Robin Arryn Sibel Kekilli as Shae Ian Gelder as Kevan Lannister Roger Allam as Illyrio Mopatis Brendan McCormack as Vardis Egen Ciaran Bermingham as Mord David Bradley as Walder Frey Margaret John as Old Nan Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell Conan Stevens as Gregor Clegane Mark Lewis Jones as Shagga Jefferson Hall as Hugh of the Vale Joe Dempsie as Gendry Brian Fortune as Bowen Marsh Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant Rhodri Hosking as Mycah Brendan McCormack as Vardis Egen Lalor Roddy as Catspaw Conor Delaney Sarita Piotrowski John Standing as Jon Arryn Bronson Webb as Will Dermot Keaney as Gared Rob Ostlere as Waymar Royce Rania Zouari Ian Whyte Spencer Wilding Claire Wright Simon Lowe as Wine Merchant Seamus Kelly Stephen Don as Stiv Edward Mercieca as Baker Antonia Christophers as Mhaegen Sahara Knite as Armeca David Michael Scott as Beric Dondarrion Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie Eros Vlahos as Lommy Greenhands Andrew Wilde as Tobho Mott Gerry O'Brien as Lord Bracken Susie Kelly as Masha Heddle Vinnie McCabe as Rickard Karstark B.J. Hogg Simon Stewart as Lannister Messenger Matthew Scurfield Frank O'Sullivan Hugo Culverhouse Show More Cast News & Interviews for Game of Thrones: Season 1 3 of Game of Thrones’ Biggest Twists, Explained: Director Alan Taylor Looks Back The 21 Best Moments of Game of Thrones Game of Thrones Series By the Numbers: The Tomatometer’s Final Verdict View All Game of Thrones: Season 1 News Episodes 1 100% Winter Is Coming Air date: Apr 17, 2011 Series Premiere. Lord Ned Stark is troubled by disturbing reports from a Night's Watch deserter; King Robert and Lannisters arrive at Winterfell; the exiled Viserys Targaryen forges a powerful new allegiance. More 2 100% The Kingsroad Air date: Apr 24, 2011 Bran's fate remains in doubt; Jon and Tyrion head to the Wall; Ned faces a family crisis en route to King's Landing; Viserys bides his time in hopes of winning back the throne; Dany focuses on pleasing her new husband, Drogo. More 3 86% Lord Snow Air date: May 1, 2011 Jon impresses Tyrion at Castle Black; Ned confronts his past and future at King's Landing; Daenerys finds herself at odds with Viserys. More 4 100% Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things Air date: May 8, 2011 Ned looks to a book for clues to the death of his predecessor, and uncovers one of King Robert's bastards. Robert and his guests witness a tournament honoring Ned. Jon takes measures to protect Sam; a frustrated Viserys clashes with Daenerys. More 5 95% The Wolf and the Lion Air date: May 15, 2011 Incensed over news of Daenerys' alliance with the Dothrakis, Robert orders a pre-emptive strike on the Targaryens that drives a wedge in his relationship with Ned. A captive Tyrion helps Catelyn. Arya overhears a plot against her father. More 6 100% A Golden Crown Air date: May 22, 2011 Reinstated as the Hand, Ned sits for the King while Robert is on a hunt. Ned issues a decree that could have long-term consequences. Tyrion confesses to his 'crimes'; Joffrey apologizes to Sansa; Viserys receives from Drogo his final payment for Daenerys. More 7 100% You Win or You Die Air date: May 29, 2011 Ned confronts Cersei about her secrets; Jon takes his Night's Watch vows; Drogo promises to lead the Dorthraki to King's Landing. More 8 100% The Pointy End Air date: Jun 5, 2011 The Lannisters press their advantage over the Starks; Robb rallies his fathers northern allies and heads south to war; Tyrion forms an uneasy alliance with the hill tribes and reunites with his father. More 9 100% Baelor Air date: Jun 12, 2011 With Sansas's life in danger, Ned makes a fateful decision. Catelyn brokers an unsavory deal. Tyrion is forced to fight on the front lines. Robb captures a prized prisoner. Jon discovers a dark secret about Maester Aemon. More 10 100% Fire and Blood Air date: Jun 19, 2011 Season One Finale. As tragic news spreads across the Seven Kingdoms, Bran and Rickon share a prophetic dream, Catelyn interrogates Jaime about her sons fall, and Robbs destiny is forever changed. More Critic Reviews for Game of Thrones Season 1 All Critics (40) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (7) The main accomplishment of Game of Thrones is that, while it should keep the hard-core fans satisfied, even viewers who don't care whether Theon is a Greyjoy or a Tully can play along and have a good time. Feb 7, 2014 | Full Review… Tom Conroy Media Life Top Critic Game of Thrones, one of the supposed biggies this spring, is a big letdown. Why is it so convoluted and punishing? It is to television what the Spider-Man musical is to Broadway. Apr 17, 2011 | Full Review… Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel Top Critic But the story at hand regularly slows to a crawl, making HBO's at times pokey but otherwise magnificent five-hour Mildred Pierce re-do seem like a 100-meter sprint in comparison. Apr 17, 2011 | Rating: C+ | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic Fans of the acclaimed Game of Thrones books, or even fans of fantasy realms in general, will find much to admire and enjoy here. Apr 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic I mostly loved Game of Thrones, but occasionally grew a little weary of it as well. (And just to answer the obvious question, this is not a small-screen Lord of the Rings.) Apr 17, 2011 | Rating: A- | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic There is the sense of intricacy having been confused with intrigue and of a story transferred all too faithfully from its source and thus not transformed to meet the demands of the screen. Apr 17, 2011 | Full Review… Troy Patterson Slate Top Critic There are several things to recommend HBO's rendition of the story, most notably the cast and many of the visuals. Apr 17, 2011 | Full Review… Maureen Ryan Huffington Post if you replace the gladiators with a Lord of the Rings aesthetic, it's like a classier Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. And praise doesn't come any higher than that. May 23, 2019 | Full Review… Andrew Anthony Observer (UK) Martin's saga goes to considerable lengths to create alternatives to the narratives of male growth. Mar 6, 2019 | Full Review… Daniel Mendelsohn The New York Review of Books As an über-fan of the books, this scratched most of my itches just perfectly. The casting is brilliant. May 11, 2018 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review… Jeremy Nisen Under the Radar Game of Thrones may be epic in its scope and often disconcerting in its content, but it's a strong production that handily delivers what George R.R. Martin fans have been waiting for. Now bring on Season Two! Mar 2, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Will Harris Bullz-Eye.com Maybe the series goes someplace more interesting eventually, but the pilot's lack of imagination, and lack of faith, bodes ill for a fantasy tale. Sep 16, 2019 | Full Review… Noah Berlatsky Splice Today View All Critic Reviews (40) Audience Reviews for Game of Thrones: Season 1 11h ago Took two goes to get into as the world and story has such depth but by the end of the second episode - totally hooked. Richard N 3d ago The biggest battle was me trying not to fall asleep while watching the first and only season I viewed. I will never understand how this show became the force that it did Ethan O Oct 11, 2019 Early Game of Thrones wasn't just good. If the show could've maintained this level of storytelling for perhaps 9 or 10 seasons, it would've been hard to deny it was the greatest TV show made. Epic fantasy made personal, gritty, and believable. John C Oct 06, 2019 An introduction into one of the greatest series of all time Denzel B Oct 03, 2019 Really good, can be a bit boring in parts. Sam E Sep 23, 2019 Dark, intelligent, and occasionally funny, Game of Thrones Season 1 kicks off this spectacular franchise. The story telling and atmosphere is unlike anything I've seen on tv before, the cast and acting is absolutely too notch. The one negative is the slow pace, but everything else just kinda snuffs that out. Bailey K Sep 22, 2019 esta serie es brutal Pedrito P Sep 09, 2019 A perfect adaptation of one of the best works in the fantasy genre! A must watch for anyone, especially those who are fans of the fantasy genre! So much can be said about this series. This season does a great job introducing all the regular fantasy archetypes that are used later to subvert fantasy tropes. Personally, this is my favorite season, as many of the first episodes provide a sense of comfort and escapism that is quickly replaced later by well-written political intrigue and tense plotlines. Both the ending of the first episode and the first season overall definitely work to hook the viewer into watching the entire series. Nate S Sep 07, 2019 Television perfection. Gwenhwyfar S Sep 06, 2019 People say that this is the TV show of all times for a reason. The start is genius and episode 9 is one of the best episodes of the TV show. The best TV shows I have ever seen :) Ofir T See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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