Game of Thrones: Which Episode Did Arya Stark Meet Melisandre? (& 9 Other Big Arya Episodes)

Throughout seven utterly incredible seasons of television, and an eighth that, to put it lightly, had its ups and downs, Game Of Thrones had fans enthralled with the stories, characters, and brilliance from the mind of George R. R. Martin. One character who became her own phenomenon in the show and one of the most consistently excellent characters was Arya Stark.

Arya has a slew of incredible moments throughout the eight seasons of the show, and these are the episodes that were important to her arc, to her story, and to the development of her character.

10 Season 3, Episode 6 – “The Climb”

Arya Stark does not get the main portion of attention in “The Climb,” which more looks at Jon and the Wildlings climb of the wall, and also the climb up the ladder of chaos in King’s Landing, but it gives way for an important scene for the character.

It sees Arya with the Brotherhood Without Banners, when Melisandre arrives to take Gendry away for his blood after the Brotherhood sells him to her. It is a catalyst for Arya running away from the group. But, it is also where Arya meets Melisandre, who sees in Arya’s eyes, into her future, her shutting many eyes forever, “brown eyes, green eyes, blue eyes,” a prophecy she seemed to go on and complete.

9 Season 5, Episode 10 – “Mother’s Mercy”

Arya’s arc throughout her time with the Faceless Men on Braavos is one that most fans believe was not done perfectly, but certainly had some brutality and brilliance throughout it.

One such moment that fulfilled both these criteria came in the season five finale when Arya ticked off a crucial name on her list, Meryn Trant, the killer of Syrio Forel and an all-round awful person. The kill was vicious, and highlighted a tension between Arya and the Faceless Men.

8 Season 1, Episode 3 – “Lord Snow”

Speaking of Syrio Forel, he is a crucial part of Arya’s life, and debuts in the show in the season one episode “Lord Snow,” hired by Lord Eddard Stark to train his daughter.

This kicks off Arya’s huge journey throughout Game Of Thrones as a warrior, as a girl who had no desire to be a Lady, but to be a fighter and an adventurer. It all kicked off here, with water dancing with the brilliant swordsman Syrio Forel.

7 Season 1, Episode 8 – “The Pointy End”

Fast forward five episodes, and the whole landscape of Game Of Thrones is changing with the arrest of Ned Stark, and the killing of his men, with Arya managing to escape the Lannister grasp.

However, for Arya to escape, Syrio Forel had to buy her time, which he does by sacrificing his life, getting killed by Meryn Trant after fending off multiple Lannister men. This would be the last time Arya was not on the run in some way, shape, or form for a long time.

6 Season 6, Episode 10 – “The Winds Of Winter”

Going back to Arya and her famous list, there were some names on it far more significant than others, who had harmed her in incredibly awful ways such as Joffrey/Ilyn Payne for the killing of her father, and Walder Frey for his role in Robb and Catelyn’s death.

The long-awaited and well-deserved death of Walder came in excellent Arya fashion in the season six finale. With Arya back in Westeros with a plentitude of new skills, she takes the face of a girl and infiltrates the Riverlands, slicing the throat of Walder Frey, making sure he knows it was a Stark who killed him. It was savage and terrific, and another name off her list, with the following episode seeing her finish off the Frey men who partook in the Red Wedding by poisoning them while using Walder’s face.

5 Season 4, Episode 10 – “The Children”

There may be no better odd couple pairing throughout the Game Of Thrones series than that of Arya and Sandor ‘the Hound’ Clegane, with their journey being a consistent highlight of season four.

The finale of season four is a crucial episode for Arya, as it is the last one of their initial journey. It sees Brienne and the Hound duel for Arya, with Arya eventually leaving the Hound to die, rather than mercifully kill him. It is a somber moment, and kicks off Arya’s solo run as she heads off to Braavos.

4 Season 7, Episode 7 – “The Dragon & The Wolf”

Three seasons later, we see Brienne and Arya face-to-face once again, for the first time since Brienne’s pleading to Arya to come with her so she could keep her vow to Catelyn.

The finale of season seven sees Arya’s long, tumultuous journey bring her back, finally, to Winterfell, to her home, back to her brother and sister, while also showing off her new moves, one such move that will come in handy later.

3 Season 2, Episode 8 – “The Prince Of Winterfell”

Jaqen H’gar is a crucial character throughout Arya’s journey, and when he gets first introduced to fans in the show, he is a very cool and interesting character.

After giving Arya two kills while at Harrenhal, Arya gives Jaqen his own name, taking it back only if he frees her and her friends from the place, to which he obliges. It highlights Arya’s survival skills and intelligence, as well as kicks her off on a new journey, which leads her to the Brotherhood, to the Hound, to Braavos, and to no one.

2 Season 6, Episode 8 – “No One”

Speaking of no one, that is the title of this episode and comes long after she escapes from Harrenhal, and, is the end of her journey with Jaqen H’gar.

After failing the Many-Faced God, Jaqen gives the Waif permission to kill Arya, leading to a long chase, and one which seems like will be the end of Arya. But she lures the Waif in and kills her, giving a face to the Many-Faced God. She rejects the idea of being no one, taking back her name of Arya Stark, and says she is going home.

1 Season 8, Episode 3 – “The Long Night”

Arya Stark was always a beloved character, even despite some not so popular arcs, and was consistently one of the best characters throughout the show.

However, she became a phenomenon in season eight, and was revealed to be the one who would bring an end to the Long Night, by killing the Night King in one swift move, a divisive yet badass moment. Throughout the whole Battle of Winterfell, she is excellent, a true warrior, and a phenomenal fighter, with some of the best scenes in the entire episode, including her concluding the battle.