8.9 million People tuned in to the live screening of the Game of Thrones season finale in 2017 with an estimated 30+ million watching on streaming sites later. Unfortunately for devoted fans of the show there were no tales from Westeros this year as the series took a break and is not set to return until late summer 2019.
The rich dialogue of Games of Thrones has inspired a whole host of internet memes, merchandise and advertising campaigns. In this article we take a look at 5 cult lines from the hit TV show and see what they inspired.
*WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
“That’s what I do. I drink and I know things.”
– Tyrion Lannister, Season Six, Episode Two
Peter Dinklage’s iconic character Tyrion trades in his life in Westeros and turns his back on the Lannister family to become an advisor to Daenerys Targaryen Mother of Dragons. When discussing the upkeep of the Dragon, Tyrion reveals that the creatures do not ‘do well in captivity’.
When questioned as to how he knows that, he utters his famous line which has since gone on to be plastered on t-shirts, coffee cups and wine glasses. Of course, it’s not just drinks that the quote has been featured on but obviously internet memes as well.
“Hodor!”
– Hodor, Season One to Six (potentially eight)
Hodor is first introduced to the Game of Thrones audience in season 1 as a simpleton working as a stable hand at Winterfell. He is strong as an ox, caring and loyal but the only word he can utter is ‘hodor’.
The reasoning behind this is explained in a much later episode but we won’t spoil the surprise if you haven’t reached that part yet. Recently the actor who plays Hodor – Kristian Nairn – starred in an advert for social trading company eToro screaming the word “HODL”, a tongue in cheek reference to bitcoin investors who refuse to sell even when the value of their stock is plummeting.
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”
– Cersei Lannister, Season One, Episode Seven
Ned Stark is nearly everyone’s favourite Game of Thrones character and the anguish that viewers felt when he was executed in season 1 was real! In this episode whilst in conversation with Ned Stark, Cersei reveals her ruthless edge whilst also highlighting Ned’s naivety.
This famous quote would go on to characterise the brutality and Machiavellian motives behind the actions of the show’s biggest characters. Cersei’s quote has been used in memes, as well as to launch games merchandise by the show.
“Winter is coming.”
– Ned Stark, Season One, Episode One
We challenge you to find anyone in your circle of friends that doesn’t utter this line when the temperature suddenly starts to drop. Ned’s famous line is a reference to the rise of the White Walkers and the impending doom of the seven kingdoms.
It is so famous because it outlines the arc of the story from the very first episode. The line has become so popular that there is even a website specially designed to sell merchandise with the quotation printed on it.
“You know nothing Jon Snow!”
– Ygritte, Season Four, Episode Nine
If you choose to ignore Ygritte and Jon Snow’s absolutely atrocious northern accents, then you can’t help but warm to their characters. When Jon Snow ventures out to live with the wildlings he starts a blossoming relationship with Ygritte and in doing so breaks his vow to the Night’s Watch…
However in a feud Ygritte screams this classic line at Jon Snow and it has since gone on to become a viral meme to end all internet feuds.
