Binge Mode: Marvel

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 3, "Lord Snow," by exploring its central theme: institutional decay (6:00). They also explain the history the Mad King and the beef between Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister (17:10) before crowning the episode’s champion (29:00).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 4, "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things," by dissecting its central theme: the political and personal plots and conspiracies that entangle numerous characters (4:15). They also provide an overview of Dragonlore (19:00) and crown a new episode champion (31:50).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 5, "The Wolf and the Lion," by examining its central theme: What makes a good ruler (4:25)? They also provide insight on bastards and the importance of a family name (19:05) and crown a pair of schemers as the episode’s champions (28:50).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 6, "A Golden Crown," by analyzing its central theme: loyalty and the ramifications when it becomes lost, gained, manipulated, and muddled (5:00). They also explore the history of the trial-by-combat tradition (19:40) and crown the episode’s champion (28:25).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 7, "You Win or You Die," by exploring its central theme: the importance of legacy (4:50). They also explain the history of the Night’s Watch, one of the central institutions on the show (20:00), and journey south to crown the episode’s champion (29:30).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 8, "The Pointy End," by considering its central theme: the crucial, life-sustaining practice of building allegiances (3:50). They also review the stories behind the Old Gods and Weirwoods (20:00) and crown another episode champion (31:30).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 9, "Baelor," by parsing its central theme: the sometimes bitter pill that is compromise (5:50). They also break down the Battle of the Whispering Wood (20:10) before crowning its winner as the episode’s champion (30:05).

The Ringer's Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 1, Episode 10, "Fire and Blood," by unpacking its central theme: rebirth (5:10). They also analyze the backstory behind the “King in the North” title (20:35) and crown a new mother as the episode’s champion (30:40).

Get ready for the Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere by binge-watching all 60 existing episodes with The Ringer’s experts, Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion, deep-diving one episode at a time to parse the theories, history, characters, and themes that enrich one of the defining stories of our time.