10 Game of Thrones Moments That Weren’t Horribly Depressing

To say that Game of Thrones is a depressing show to watch is about as self-evident as Ramsay Snow’s addiction to sadistic torture: it’s pretty much common knowledge at this point. Each new season seems to raise the stakes when it comes to depressing content, which is no small feat when you consider that the first season ended with the supposed hero losing his head. Game of Thrones may be a series that appeals to the masochist in all of us, but even the most depressing show on TV (unofficial title) has its rare moments of happiness. Although it takes a fair amount of digging to unearth moments from the show’s five seasons that don’t immediately make you want to rage at the cruelty of the show’s writers, they do exist. Here are 10 moments from Game of Thrones that actually weren’t horribly depressing.

10. Tyrion and Bronn’s Lighthearted Conversations

Tyrion Lannister has a pretty rough lot in life for being a member of the richest and most powerful family in Westeros. Thankfully for him (and us), he developed a biting wit to help him navigate a harsh and judgmental world. Nowhere is that searing comedic timing on better display than with Tyrion’s frequent conversations with his hired bodyguard Bronn. Their half-insulting, half-affectionate back-and-forth ribbing became a much-needed source of comic relief in earlier seasons that helped viewers catch their breath in between all the vicious backstabbing (often literal) and slaughter that comprises a typical episode of Game of Thrones. Sadly, Tyrion and Bronn were separated last season, but at least the show’s writers had the good sense to pair another Lannister, Tyrion’s brother Jaime, up with Bronn to keep the lighthearted tradition alive.