History EstablishingCharacterMoment / GameOfThrones

* Daenerys is introduced as a timid maiden without even the courage to resist to her brother's fondling, yet also shows her intelligence by recognizing that their host must want something from them, even though he hasn't asked. She's also completely unbothered by bathing in scalding hot water.

* Joffrey doesn't say much and acts like a charmer to Sansa in the first episode, but by the second episode, but on the second episode, [[PrinceCharmless he reveals his true nature]] by threatening Arya and her friend Mycah.

* Ned's first scene shows him affectionately watching over his sons receiving combat training, only to be called away to condemn a deserter to death. He personally beheads the man while his sons watch, then explains to them that he can't pass the sentence if he's unwilling to carry it out himself. Almost everything about Ned's character is encapsulated in that scene: his affection for his family, his stern and uncompromising feudal values, and his sense of honor, justice and personal responsibility.

* Stannis' Baratheon's Establishing Character Moment is grimly accepting his role as TheChosenOne in a ceremony hosted by Melisandre, followed by a meeting to redact his claim to the Iron Throne. When he composes the declaration of his claim to the throne, he orders "beloved brother" changed because he and Robert didn't love each other and adds Jaime Lannister's nickname "Kingslayer" but also the title "Ser" because, "Whatever else he is, the man is still a knight." He is established as very dour, WillNotTellALie, a by-the-book man who will not compromise.

* When Stannis Baratheon composes the declaration of his claim to the throne, he orders "beloved brother" changed because he and Robert didn't love each other and adds Jaime Lannister's nickname "Kingslayer" but also the title "Ser" because, "Whatever else he is, the man is still a knight."

* While Sandor Clegane in the first episode, he doesn't actually do anything until the end of the second, where he murders Mycah and shows absolutely no remorse. His lack of action in the first episode can be one as well; when Tyrion slaps his royal nephew for being an obnoxious brat, he just stands there and watches with no intervention despite supposedly being Joffrey's bodyguard.

* While it's not his first scene, Jamie Lannister is really introduced when he shoves Bran out of a window with only a flippant little comment about "The things I do for love", showing he is dangerous, doesn't mind harming children and will go to any lengths to protect his family.

* Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane beheads his own horse and attempts to murder his opponent in a fit of rage after being unhorsed in a tourney, all in plain view of the audience and the king. When he is re-introduced in "Mockingbird", he is shown using lowborn prisoners as practice dummies.

* The very first scene of the show introduces the army of the dead - [[AnIcePerson Ice people]] who look like extremely aged and freeze-dried corpses with GlowingEyesOfDoom, who kill quickly and have the power to raise the dead.

* After riding into Winterfell like a stern, proud king, Robert Baratheon immediately shows his boisterous, jovial nature and brotherly affection for Ned in three words and a laugh: ''"You got fat."'' Their time together in the crypts cements the first impression. Need also cements their relationship by responding to Robert's comment with an incredulous "You're calling ''me'' fat?" look, which Robert thinks is hilarious.

* Randyll's disdain for his first son is palpable even before opening his mouth, with his KubrickStare speaking volumes, and the first words to come out are calling Sam fat.

* The very first scene of the show introduces the White Walkers - [[AnIcePerson Ice people]] who look like extremely aged and freeze-dried corpses with GlowingEyesOfDoom, who kill quickly and have the power to raise the dead.

* After riding into Winterfell like a stern, proud king, Robert Baratheon immediately shows his boisterous, jovial nature and brotherly affection for Ned in three words and a laugh: ''"You got fat."'' Their time together in the crypts cements the first impression.

* The very scene of the show introduces the White Walkers - [[AnIcePerson Ice people]] who look like extremely aged and freeze-dried corpses with GlowingEyesOfDoom, who kill quickly and have the power to raise the dead.

* Despite not appearing in Season 2, Ramsay's sacking of Winterfell and apparent massacre of its inhabitants after the Ironborn surrendered Theon to him establishes both that he and possibly his father are no friends of the Starks, and also that he has a proclivity to butcher unarmed and innocent people. Also despite remaining offscreen during Theon's torture at the start of Season 3, he almost certainly ordered Theon's pointless torture. Another more Fridge Horror flavored example, but the fact that his men have a policy of gang-raping escaped captives like Theon (or attempting to, in that case) reflects even more nastily on him. Once his true nature is revealed and his first "game" with Theon ends, his nightmarish physical and psychological torture of Theon simply for his own sadistic enjoyment makes clear just what kind of monster he is.

* Not his first scene, but Jaime being able to shove a child out a window with only a flippant little comment about "The things I do for love" is a pretty big moment. His first scene where he gets a significant number of lines to himself, onscreen, in fact, is the scene where he's joking around with Tyrion in the brothel. That episode is Jaime in a nutshell, really — dangerous, doesn't mind killing children, loves his family.

* Ned's first scene shows him affectionately watching over his sons receiving combat training, only to be called away to condemn a deserter to death. He personally beheads the man while his sons watch, then explains to them that he can't pass the sentence if he's unwilling to carry it out himself. Almost everything about Ned's character is encapsulated in that scene: his affection for his family, his stern and uncompromising feudal values, and his sense of honor, justice and personal responsibility.

* Daenerys is introduced as a timid maiden without even the courage to resist to her brother's fondling, yet also shows her intelligence by recognizing that their host must want something from them, even though he hasn't asked.

* Even before the viewers get to see her, Lyanna's blunt nature (for her age) is established in her letter to Stannis, refusing to support him or any other king who isn't a Stark of Winterfell. In her first appearance, she brushes off any attempts at smooth talk and flattery by Jon and Sansa and dominates the scene with her presence, in spite of being a little girl.
* Qyburn treating Jaime's wounded stump covers all you need to know: courteous, honest, intelligent with a fascination of gore as his face litting up when cuts the rotten tissue.

* Tywin Lannister's stern, aloof [[ThePatriarch patriarchalism]] and PragmaticVillainy are laid bare in his [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47MazYDnmaU very first scene]], during which he chides his son to DoWrongRight and makes it clear that his goal of empowering House Lannister won't be hampered by [[TheUnfettered honour or morality]], all while [[RuleOfSymbolism butchering a stag]].

* Roose Bolton is introduced reporting battle casualties and recommending the torturous interrogation of prisoners in a dispassionate, clinical tone.

[[EstablishingCharacterMoment This]] is almost a requirement of every character, since their sheer [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters number]] requires clear and concise introductions:

* Brienne of Tarth is introduced winning a tourney melee comprised of the best warriors in Renly's army, including the renowned tourney knight Ser Loras Tyrell. Then [[SamusIsAGirl she takes off her helmet]].

* Prince Doran makes it rather clear that he is not an impulsive or illogical man, as he refuses to go to war with the Lannisters (too high of a cost) and use Myrcella as petty vengeance. It is also clear that he is of a stoic demeanor, despite mourning for his dear brother, and does not wear his emotions on his sleeve nor does he wish to appear weak to anyone.

** In a single scene in " High Sparrow", Jon shows what kind of commander he is: friendly with his troops, fair and honorable, but also firm with those that break their oaths, and when he sentences a man to death, he is the one to swing the sword. Basically, he's just like Ned Stark.