Though fans might not have thought much of her in the beginning, Sansa Stark ended up having one of the most remarkable journeys in Game of Thrones. With the series now a memory, it is safe to say that Sansa is one of the most beloved characters the series created and someone fans were really rooting for.
Through countless tragedies, mistakes, and defeats, Sansa learned and grew. Looking at some of the key episodes from her journey, they highlight just how far she came across the eight seasons as well as the moments that helped to define her as a character that people loved.
The Kingsroad (Season 1, Episode 2)
Sansa could be a very frustrating character in the first season and this episode is a perfect example of why. While traveling to King's Landing, Sansa grows closer to her betrothed prince Joffrey Baratheon who quickly shows he is not the charming prince from the stories she was told.
Sansa's dream of a fairy tale life begins to crack at this moment as Joffrey reveals his monstrous potential. However, she also shows how conflicted she is as she lies about what happened, betraying her sister, Arya.
Blackwater (Season 2, Episode 9)
This episode was the first time the show had the chance to show a huge and epic battle. And while the action was the highlight of the episode, Sansa showed her heroic side and provided plenty of impactful moments as well.
The episode continues to cut to Sansa and the other women of King's Landing staying hidden away in the castle as the battle rages outside. As Cersei repeatedly tries to clash with Sansa, the young Stark girl becomes a beacon of hope to the other concerned women.
Dark Wings, Dark Words (Season 3, Episode 2)
After wanting nothing more than to start her dream life in King's Landing, it is difficult to see Sansa held there as a hostage with no family or friends to comfort her. Some reprieve comes in the form of Margaery Tyrell who befriends Sansa and introduces her to her grandmother Olenna.
While Olenna steals every scene she is in, this meeting shows Sansa finally breaks, no longer able to hide her pain. She reveals the truth about Joffrey, what he did to her father, and how cruel he has been.
Mockingbird (Season 4, Episode 7)
Following the assassination of Joffrey, Sansa is taken out of King's Landing by Littlefinger. She is relocated to the Eyrie where she reunites with her aunt Lysa Arryn. However, it is not a happy family reunion as Lysa is unhinged and jealous of Littlefinger's connection to Sansa.
This culminates in the intense scene where Lysa confronts Sansa and threatens to throw her out of the moon door. In a rare moment when Littlefinger does something fans can get behind, he calms Lysa down before throwing her out the moon door herself.
The Mountain And The Viper (Season 4, Episode 8)
After beginning the story as a naïve young girl, Sansa really begins to grow as a character and this episode is a big part of that transformation. In the aftermath of Lysa's death, Littlefinger faces some harsh questions from the other lords of the Vale.
With Sansa as the only witness, she decides to reveal her true identity to the lords but insists Littlefinger didn't kill Lysa. This is not an act of kindness towards Littlefinger, but rather a decision that shows Sansa is becoming a keen political player.
Book Of The Stranger (Season 6, Episode 4)
Season 5 was a controversial one for Sansa's journey as fans had to endure the constant unpleasantness of seeing her forced into the marriage with Ramsay Bolton. Season 6 thankfully begins with her free from her captivity and beginning a more victorious storyline.
This episode delivers a moment fans had been waiting for since the end of season 1 – Starks reuniting. Sansa and Jon Snow were never close, but the sight of them hugging brought tears to the eyes of countless viewers.
Battle Of The Bastards (Season 6, Episode 9)
Sansa's reunion with Jon Snow isn't just heartwarming, it also gets the ball rolling on the Starks finally getting some revenge. This episode finds Sansa returning to Winterfell and facing Ramsay again, but this time she has an army at her back.
While Jon gets some of the biggest moments in the episode, Sansa is the true hero. She doesn't back down from facing Ramsay again and leads the Vale army in for the last-minute win. To top it all off, she gets to deliver justice to Ramsay in a fittingly gruesome death.
The Spoils Of War (Season 7, Episode 4)
As nice as it was to see Sansa and Jon reunite, the reunion fans really wanted to see was between Sansa and Arya. These two also didn't see eye-to-eye previously but they shared such a connection in the first season, very much helped by the friendship of Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams.
There are some bumpy moments once they settle into Winterfell together, but that moment when they meet in the crypts does immediately put a smile on your face and tears in your eyes.
The Dragon And The Wolf (Season 7, Episode 7)
It was very frustrating to see Sansa and Arya come together after so long only to immediately start questioning each other and getting hostile. It was all the more frustrating because it was an obvious manipulation by Littlefinger.
However, just when it is about to go too far, Sansa reveals that she has learned a thing or two from Littlefinger about manipulation. Seeing her turn the tables on him and put this usually clever man on the spot is extremely satisfying as is his death that follows.
The Iron Throne (Season 8, Episode 6)
There are a lot of characters who fans felt received lackluster endings in the disappointing final season. However, it's hard to argue that Sansa got a fitting end in the finale.
After Bran is put forth as the new king, the other lords agree with the selection, Sansa stands by her promise to see the North become free. In that moment, she did what Jon and Robb and even Ned failed to do and cemented that she was indeed the right choice to rule the North.