The 8 most empowering Game of Thrones episodes for women

Season 2, Episode 5: “The Ghost of Harrenhal”

There are so many types of strength demonstrated by the women of Game of Thrones, and the differences in these strengths becomes most evident during season 2’s “The Ghost of Harrenhal.” Following Renly’s death, Brienne of Tarth and Catelyn Stark flee his camp before they can be blamed for the incident—and afterward, they have a conversation that can be considered empowering to all of the women on the show, as well as to those watching.

When Catelyn suggests that Brienne come with her instead of going after Stannis, Brienne refuses to serve Robb Stark, a man she’s never met. She agrees to pledge herself to Catelyn, however, telling the Stark mother, “You have courage—not battle courage, perhaps, but, I don’t know—a woman’s kind of courage.” Brienne’s words highlight the differences between physical courage and the strength it takes to be a mother and a wife in Westeros. Yet, they also emphasize the ways in which these types of power are similar.

Viewers also get a powerful moment between Littlefinger and Margaery Tyrell during “The Ghost of Harrenhal,” a scene during which Margaery owns up to her aspirations. When Littlefinger asks Margaery if she wants to be a queen, she tells him, “No, I want to be the queen.”

In Westeros, where women aren’t meant to want much more than to serve their husband and children, Margaery’s admission is a bold one. Not only does Margaery accept her desire for power, but she embraces that desire and goes after what she wants—making her far more proactive than many of the other women in Westeros. Margaery demonstrates that it is okay for women to seek power, not something to be shamed of. It’s a concept many of the other characters embrace later in the series as well, but Margaery’s willingness to do so during the earlier seasons makes her stand apart.