Reasons to love Game of Thrones are too numerous to name, but if a single one is responsible for how beloved the show is after only one season it’s simply how relentlessly hardcore it is. Game of Thrones is not fantasy for kiddies. It’s fantasy for grown a$s men. To set this tone from the beginning Jaime Lannister pushed 7 year-old Bran Stark out a window. And I found myself applauding inside.
So as part of my week long efforts to geek the masses for GOT’s return, here are nine of the most hardcore GIFs from Season 1 to remind everyone of the badassery that is set to return in just a few short days. Warning: they’re all probably NSFW, spoiler-y, and most definitely not for the faint of heart. Above GIF via.