Season 7, Episode 6, “Beyond the Wall,” of Game of Thrones, is infamous for its dramatic conclusion and strategic sacrifices. While no primary characters met their permanent end in a way that fundamentally altered the narrative direction, a significant figure—Viserion, Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon—succumbed to the Night King’s icy spear, subsequently resurrected as a wight dragon and fundamentally changing the power balance.
The Fatal Plunge: Viserion’s Fall
The most impactful death in this episode is undoubtedly that of Viserion. During the rescue mission beyond the Wall, Daenerys and her dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, arrive to save Jon Snow and his band of adventurers from a massive wight army, led by the Night King and his White Walkers. As the dragons incinerate hundreds of wights, the Night King hurls an ice spear with deadly accuracy.
The spear pierces Viserion, sending him crashing through the frozen lake. This moment marks a turning point in the series. The loss of a dragon is devastating to Daenerys, both emotionally and strategically. More significantly, the Night King’s acquisition of Viserion as a wight dragon grants him an unprecedented weapon of mass destruction and the ability to breach the Wall.
Secondary Casualties: The Wight Horde
Beyond Viserion’s demise, countless wights are killed by dragonfire during the battle beyond the Wall. While these wights are technically dead already, their destruction reduces the size of the Night King’s army, albeit insignificantly. These deaths serve primarily to highlight the power of Daenerys’ dragons and to create a visually stunning spectacle of fire and ice. They also underscore the seemingly endless nature of the Night King’s undead forces.
No Major Character Deaths (This Time)
Importantly, despite the perilous situation, none of the primary characters accompanying Jon Snow on the mission beyond the Wall perished in this episode. Characters like Jon Snow, Tormund Giantsbane, Sandor Clegane (The Hound), Beric Dondarrion, and Jorah Mormont all managed to survive, although not without significant risk and close calls. The survival of these characters, while crucial to the narrative, contributes to the episode’s controversial reputation for requiring a degree of narrative convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Death in Season 7 Episode 6
Here are some frequently asked questions providing further insight into the fatalities and close calls in “Beyond the Wall”:
H3: 1. Why is Viserion’s death so significant?
Viserion’s death represents a major strategic loss for Daenerys and the living. Dragons are incredibly powerful weapons, and losing one weakens her position significantly. Furthermore, his resurrection as a wight dragon gives the Night King an unparalleled advantage, capable of breaching the Wall and wreaking havoc on Westeros. It fundamentally alters the balance of power, tilting it drastically in favor of the undead.
H3: 2. Could Daenerys have saved Viserion?
Daenerys’ attempt to save Viserion was hampered by the accuracy of the Night King’s throw and the speed of the ice spear. While her dragons are powerful, they are not invulnerable. The element of surprise and the chilling precision of the Night King’s attack left her little chance to react effectively.
H3: 3. How did the Night King acquire an ice spear?
The Night King’s ice spear is presumed to be forged from the magic and ice that constitute his own being and powers. He possesses abilities beyond human comprehension, including the manipulation of ice and extreme cold. The origin of his spear is not explicitly explained in the series, but its magical nature is heavily implied.
H3: 4. Why didn’t Drogon get hit by an ice spear?
The fact that Drogon was not hit is likely a combination of luck and circumstance. The Night King only threw one spear (that we see), and he aimed it at Viserion. It could be argued that the Night King chose Viserion strategically, knowing his vulnerability, or that Drogon’s larger size made him a more difficult target. Narrative necessity likely played a role as well; killing Daenerys’ largest dragon would have significantly altered the storyline.
H3: 5. Was Viserion’s death foreshadowed?
While not explicitly foreshadowed, the recurring themes of ice versus fire throughout the series hinted at the potential for a dragon to fall victim to the forces of the Night King. Additionally, the increasing threat posed by the White Walkers created a sense of impending doom and the likelihood of significant losses for the living.
H3: 6. How does Viserion’s death impact the war against the Night King?
Viserion’s death fundamentally shifts the power dynamic. With a wight dragon under his command, the Night King can now bypass traditional defenses, like the Wall, and bring his army directly into Westeros. It significantly increases the urgency and difficulty of the war against the dead.
H3: 7. Did any minor characters die on Jon’s expedition beyond the Wall?
While no named characters in Jon’s group died, several unnamed members of the Brotherhood Without Banners likely perished in the initial attacks by the wight polar bear and during the final battle. These deaths, while not central to the plot, emphasize the dangers faced by those venturing beyond the Wall.
H3: 8. Why did Jon Snow decide to go beyond the Wall in the first place?
Jon Snow’s mission beyond the Wall was driven by his desire to capture a wight to present to Cersei Lannister as proof of the White Walker threat. He hoped that convincing Cersei of the imminent danger would lead her to join forces with Daenerys against the Night King.
H3: 9. How did Gendry manage to run back to Eastwatch so quickly?
Gendry’s improbable sprint back to Eastwatch is one of the most criticized aspects of the episode, often attributed to narrative convenience over realism. The distance he covered and the speed at which he covered it were considered highly implausible by many viewers.
H3: 10. What happened to the other members of the Brotherhood Without Banners?
The surviving members of the Brotherhood Without Banners, including Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr (before his death from injuries sustained by the wight bear), continued to fight alongside Jon Snow against the wights. Their participation highlighted the shared threat facing all of Westeros, regardless of allegiance.
H3: 11. Could Viserion be saved from his wight status?
Once resurrected as a wight, Viserion was irrevocably under the control of the Night King. There was no indication in the series that a wight could be freed from this control. His fate was sealed by the Night King’s magic.
H3: 12. What ultimately happened to wight Viserion?
Wight Viserion’s ultimate fate was tied to the Night King. When Arya Stark killed the Night King in the Battle of Winterfell, all wights, including Viserion, instantly crumbled to dust, ending his tragic and destructive existence. His story serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of the war against the dead.