10 Great Fantasy TV Episodes With 100% On Rotten Tomatoes

The best fantasy TV series of all time claim the best episodes, some of which reach 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Episodes of fantasy TV like this go above and beyond, demonstrating the high points of the series when a game-changing event takes place with incredible dialogue and visuals in its execution. It is not impossible but rare for the highest-rated episode of a series to be a so-called filler episode. Ratings tend to spike when the episode includes a TV moment fans waited years to see, where all the build-up and foreshadowing finally pays off.

On the other hand, some fantasy series’ best episode is the first one when the story is still shrouded in mystery and boundless potential. Multiple Star Wars and superhero series get their best episode in the first season because of the culmination of the season 1 arc, which is a good thing when so many Disney+ series are canceled too soon. Yet shows with one or several 100% episodes are going to have strong writing in general, and a myriad of factors will make a particular episode stand out.

10 Game Of Thrones, Season 3, Episode 9

“The Rains Of Castamere”

“The Rains of Castamere” is one of the most famous episodes of TV of all time, as well as one of the most disastrous TV weddings of all time. The showrunners knew from the start that much of the early plot of Game of Thrones was building up to this moment, one of the cruelest and most violent sequences of the series. The profound dialogue and actions during the Red Wedding are still characterized by political machinations — Catelyn tries to negotiate until the end — but is deeply tragic as they watch each other die.

Betrayal is the biggest theme in this episode. While the betrayal of an ally and host results in the Red Wedding, hearts are broken elsewhere by Jon’s betrayal of Ygritte. Finally, the episode is made more emotional with the dramatic irony of how close it came to ending happily (or even more tragically). The Hound had nearly delivered Arya to Robb and Catelyn before the massacre, while Jon was unknowingly outside the very tower where Bran and Rickon took shelter. Yet the scattered Stark family remains separated by a chasm of violence and duty.

9 The Mandalorian, Season 1, Episode 7

“Chapter 7: The Reckoning”

The primary conflict of the titular Mandalorian having gone on the run with a highly sought-after Child/Grogu/Baby Yoda culminates in the penultimate episode, predictably made even better with the introduction of a villainous character played by Giancarlo Esposito. There are many twists concerning the characters’ loyalties in this episode. The inciting incident is that a new character is planning a trap, which “Mando” predicts, but the Child then changes the betrayer’s mind, only for a new threat to arise.

It all ends with a tragic, darkest-hour cliffhanger that sends the main character into the rescue mission of the first season finale. The first season of The Mandalorian follows a fairly predictable framework, derivative of properties that came before it. However, it allows for smaller twists within this outline, epic world-building, and perfect performances, the best of which are seen in this episode.

8 The Boys, Season 3, Episode 8

“The Instant White-Hot Wild”

The Boys season 3 finale is better than some people might believe when, despite its divisive events, it achieved 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It can be safely said that the finale delivered another climactic showdown as Black Noir returned and another confrontation between Billy Butcher and Homelander took shape. Different arcs come to amazing culminations in the show’s complex depiction of the immorality of superheroism, with the darkest traits of various characters being revealed.

The final moments of the season have morbid implications for future seasons when Homelander murders a civilian in broad daylight and is only cheered on more for it. Even worse is young Ryan’s apparent approval of this act. With this shocking finale, The Boys sets the stage for even more complicated ethical dilemmas in future seasons which pay off. The season 4 finale is also one of the top-rated episodes of the series, while fans are eagerly awaiting The Boys season 5, which will end the show.

7 Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 3

“Destined”

The third episode of Ms. Marvel’s solo series, which served as her induction into the MCU, is widely praised for its depiction of Kamala’s heritage and Pakistani culture. Kamala discovers that her Clandestine ancestor, exiled from the Noor Dimension to Earth with several others, left the group with the bangle they need to get back home. A key flashback entwines the story with history, as Aisha and Najma first discovered the bangle in British India.

However, this episode of Ms. Marvel also demonstrates the typical plight of a teen superhero when heroic adventures clash with personal commitments, as Kamala’s brother’s wedding also happens. The Clandestines crash the wedding and the episode ends on a sad note. Yet it stands out as the best episode of the miniseries not just because of the emphasis on history and culture, but also Kamala’s interactions with her family. This is the part in other superhero stories where the protagonist usually argues with their family, but Kamala’s parents are only worried about her.

6 Game Of Thrones, Season 5, Episode 8

“Hardhome”

As is customary with Game of Thrones, a lot is going on in a lot of different places in “Hardhome.” Arya is given her first assignment as an assassin, Cersei remains imprisoned in King’s Landing, and Theon tells Sansa that he faked Bran and Rickon’s deaths. One of the bigger moments from this episode is Daenerys’ famous “break the wheel” speech, a scene negatively impacted by the infamous Game of Thrones finale. However, at the time, it was another powerful moment for Daenerys that showcased the potential of her and Tyrion’s alliance, with them bouncing ideas off each other.

Yet the main event is the battle that takes place at the episode’s title location. There is already some interesting conflict as Jon negotiates with wildlings before the spectacle of a battle and display of the Night King’s power. Some strong performances by actors playing minor characters and the earliest hints at some Night Watch members betraying Jon add to the drama. This episode is representative of Game of Thrones at its best, with many different storylines going on and the chance of a grand battle.

5 Outlander, Season 1, Episode 1

“Sassenach”

Outlander immersed audiences in the enigmatic, soft fantasy setting from the start with a pilot episode that showcases the scenery, the history, and the brutality that characterizes the show. Outlander abandons Claire’s narration pretty fast, but it is effectively used to introduce her character in “Sassenach.” A fair amount of exposition is organically included, while the moment featuring Jamie’s ghost in the present day still holds mystery in the story, with possible implications for the show’s end.

The tensions between the characters and their inner turmoil are gradually developed in an overall great episode. Outlander‘s original magic doesn’t really exist anymore, as the story has largely moved to a different setting. While the first episode’s script is solid, the design is stunning, creating a perfect combination for TV. Choices like Claire’s white dress when she is flung through time make it all the more ethereal, promising the subtly fantastical series that will follow.

4 Gen V, Season 1, Episode 1

“God U.”

The spinoff of The Boys clearly had a strong start when the first episode matched its predecessor’s acclaim with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. This episode has a lot to set up, with the introduction of aspiring young superheroes who have been accepted to Godolkin University, the training grounds for potential future members of the Seven. But in the fashion of the gritty flagship series, Gen V also sets out to tell a dark story and impressively works backstory exposition for multiple characters into this pilot.

“God U.” establishes right away that more injustices are at work in the hierarchy of the university, when the main character is expelled shortly after arriving. Typical superhero school imagery from much more lighthearted properties makes its way in before the illusion is shattered by all the ugly truths of being a superhero. The episode ends with a shocking, brutal cliffhanger, setting up Gen V to be just as intense as The Boys.

3 Andor, Season 1, Episode 10

“One Way Out”

An episode with a dramatic monologue from both Andy Serkis and Stellan Skarsgård, let alone one with such amazing action and character development, is going to be spectacular. Cassian’s character arc truly culminates in “One Way Out,” where he is fully committed to the daring prison break plan and convinces Kino to help. Those who watched Andor anytime after its immediate release probably heard enough about the prison arc beforehand to be looking forward to this particular episode, but the internal build-up to it is also great.

The prison escape sequence is relatively simple and couldn’t take up the whole episode, leaving viewers with tensions on the rise elsewhere. Mon Mothma is backed into a corner as she tries to cover up her rebel activities, while more of the extent of Luthen’s network is revealed. The episode ends on a strong note with elegant framing, as Luthen wraps up his speech by saying he “needs all the heroes he can get,” before cutting to a final shot of Cassian and Melshi fleeing on Narkina 5 — making for some obvious but effective foreshadowing.

2 Game Of Thrones, Season 3, Episode 4

“And Now His Watch Is Ended”

The biggest draw of this episode is ironically Daenerys, when its title suggests that the Night’s Watch will be the centerpiece. However, this is when one of Daenerys’ most iconic moments takes place, as she trades one of her dragons for the Unsullied army and immediately orders them to attack the Astapor and kill the Masters. Daenerys gets her army and her dragon, and a major moment that illustrates her commitment to having a loyal, free army, as well as how ruthless she can be.

Elsewhere, Game of Thrones’ political intrigue is also at a high point during this episode in a way only characteristic of the early series. At this point, the climaxes and convergences of a lot of storylines are still a long way off, but the machinations happening in King’s Landing are subtly fascinating. In this particular episode, Margaery shows that she can do what no one else can in controlling Joffrey, while all the other characters are still concerned with Sansa’s role on the chessboard.

1 House Of The Dragon, Season 2, Episode 4

“The Red Dragon And The Gold”

The biggest complaint following the House of the Dragon season 2 finale was that the season spent all its time only setting up the major battles to come. Yet people will remember that this was a large part of Game of Thrones and that one major battle did take place in season 2 to balance it out. “The Red Dragon and the Gold” proves that House of the Dragon is more than capable of living up to its predecessor where epic battles are concerned, giving Rhaenys the spotlight.

Other scenes make this a nuanced episode that is not just about death and destruction, including the illustrations of Aegon’s incompetence, Rhaenyra telling Jace about the Song of Ice and Fire, and Rhaenys’ soft interactions with her dragon Meleys. House of the Dragon is a just as compelling and spectacular epic fantasy series as Game of Thrones, and will likely achieve more 100% episodes in the future. While waiting for House of the Dragon season 3, fantasy fans can delve into other critically acclaimed series.