HBO has always been known for having some of the best TV series — The Sopranos, Entourage, Sex and the City, and Chernobyl to name a few — but perhaps none more popular than Game of Thrones.

On April 17, 2011 television watchers traveled to Westeros for the very first time. Game of Thrones opened with 2.2 million people — in the US — whom watched the first airing. Fast forward to the final season premiere episode and the viewership jumps to 17.4 million. To say that this show was just “hype” is just plain inaccurate. Game of Thrones would go on to become a television and pop culture phenomenon- and for good reason.

The eight-season journey would consume viewers until May 19, 2019. Being that today marks nine-years since we were introduced to the Stark and Lannister families; it’s only right to look back at how it all started.

This image would set the tone for fans to expect-the-unexpected. All you needed to see was this face to make you sit up on your couch in wonderment as to where this was going. ‘Winter is Coming’ was aptly the name of the premiere episode, and you would grow to understand what exactly that meant, in a perfectly executed slow-burn.

Game of Thrones is a very deep-rooted story, with a multitude of characters. In order of appearance, these are the characters we meet, thanks to Fandom for breaking it down. Also, keep in mind these are just the characters from the first episode:

Bran Stark

Jon Snow

Robb Stark

Catelyn Stark

Eddard Stark

Rickon Stark

Sansa Stark

Mordane

Arya Stark

Jeyne Poole

Rodrik Cassel

Jory Cassel

Theon Greyjoy

Lady

Grey Wind

Shaggydog

Summer

Nymeria

Ghost

Jaime Lannister

Cersei Lannister

Maester Luwin

Tommy

Joffrey Baratheon

Sandor Clegane

Preston Greenfield

Hodor

Mikken

Robert Baratheon

Tommen Baratheon

Myrcella Baratheon

Tyrion Lannister

Ros

Daenerys Targaryen

Viserys Targaryen

Pentoshi servant

Illyrio Mopatis

Khal Drogo

Qotho

Cohollo

Haggo

Benjen Stark

Jorah Mormont

The seed planting into a world of wars, dragons, magic and, romance and drama is perfect. Ending the first episode with the ultimate cliffhanger, leaving it next-to-impossible to not watch the second.

Editors Note: A mere 63.5 hours is all you need to set aside and binge the entire series. Most of us are quarantined at home, so here’s to it because the North remembers.