The Night King’s chilling origin story is revealed in Season 6, Episode 5, “The Door.” This episode provides the definitive visual depiction of his creation, marking a pivotal moment in understanding the ancient conflict between the living and the dead.
The Making of a Monster: A Deep Dive into “The Door”
“The Door” is not only remembered for Hodor’s tragic fate but also for its glimpse into the past, revealing the horrifying ritual that spawned the Night King. Using Bran Stark’s increasingly perilous warging abilities, we witness a crucial moment in the ancient history of Westeros and its inhabitants. The scene unfolds as a vision, a stark and brutal depiction of the Children of the Forest performing a dark magic ritual on a captured human.
This man, strapped to a weirwood tree, is forcibly transformed. A Leaf, one of the Children of the Forest, plunges a dragonglass dagger into his chest. As the dragonglass pierces him, his eyes turn an eerie ice blue, signaling the irreversible transformation. This moment is significant because it illustrates the desperation of the Children in their war against the First Men. They created a weapon, a being of unimaginable power, in the hopes of turning the tide. They had no idea of the consequences and were unable to control their creation.
The scene is brief, lasting only a few seconds, but it’s incredibly impactful. It provides context for the Night King’s relentless march south and his desire to eradicate all living things. Understanding his origins helps viewers grasp the complexity of the war he wages. It’s not just about mindless destruction; it’s about revenge, the wiping clean of the slate of the First Men who drove the Children off of their lands.
Analyzing the Night King’s Motivations
Although the Night King is presented as a mostly silent and implacable antagonist, understanding his creation offers insight into his potential motivations. Was he simply a weapon designed to kill? Or did the infusion of dragonglass and the ritual somehow grant him a sense of self, a desire for revenge?
This question is left ambiguous in the show. While we see his strategic prowess, his ability to raise the dead, and his seemingly unyielding determination, we are never given access to his inner thoughts. Some believe that he seeks to eliminate all humans as revenge for the actions of the First Men. Others think that he’s simply fulfilling his initial purpose: the eradication of all living things in Westeros. The possibilities are plentiful, and it is important to consider them all.
It’s important to consider that the Night King’s motives could also be related to the destruction of the magic that created him. The weirwood trees, the magic of the Children of the Forest, and even the dragons represent forces that the Night King seeks to extinguish. His ultimate goal could be to return the world to a state of frozen emptiness, devoid of the magic that poses a threat to him.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Night King
What was the Night King created to do?
The Night King was originally created by the Children of the Forest as a weapon against the First Men who were encroaching on their territory. He was designed to be a powerful warrior, capable of defending their forests and pushing back against the human invaders.
Was the man who became the Night King a willing participant?
No. The man was bound to a weirwood tree and forcibly subjected to the ritual performed by the Children of the Forest. He was essentially a prisoner of war, used as a vessel to create a powerful weapon. The scene depicts a violent act, devoid of any consent.
Why did the Children of the Forest use dragonglass?
Dragonglass, also known as obsidian, is one of the few substances capable of killing White Walkers. By imbuing the Night King with dragonglass, the Children of the Forest intended to create a weapon that was resistant to harm and capable of destroying their enemies. They used their strongest weapon to create an even stronger one.
Did the Children of the Forest regret creating the Night King?
Yes. The Children of the Forest lost control of their creation. The Night King turned against them and became an even greater threat to all living things. This is evident in their continued existence, which indicates their hope for a solution for the monster they created.
Is the Night King responsible for creating the White Walkers?
Yes, the Night King is shown transforming human babies into White Walkers by touching them at the altar of the Night Fort, indicating that he is the primary source of their creation. He is their leader and controller.
How is the Night King different from a White Walker?
The Night King is significantly more powerful than ordinary White Walkers. He possesses unique abilities, such as raising the dead on a massive scale, controlling the weather (to a certain degree), and seemingly being immune to many attacks that can harm regular White Walkers. He seems to be an evolved version of the White Walkers.
Can the Night King be killed by dragonfire?
While dragonfire is effective against wights and can weaken White Walkers, it was not sufficient to kill the Night King. He survived Daenerys’ dragonfire attack, demonstrating his extraordinary resilience. His magical properties seem to have made him stronger than the average White Walker and difficult to destroy.
What are the Night King’s weaknesses?
The Night King’s primary weakness is dragonglass, the same substance used in his creation. He was ultimately killed by Arya Stark using a dragonglass dagger. Weirwood trees may also have some sort of connection to him, given that his transformation happened against one.
Did the Night King have a specific target in mind when attacking Winterfell?
While some speculated that the Night King’s target was Bran Stark (the Three-Eyed Raven), as Bran held the memories of the world, this was never explicitly confirmed in the show. The Night King’s motivation remains somewhat ambiguous, but the elimination of the living seemed to be his primary goal. This suggests a desire to simply erase all life and history.
Why did the Night King target the Three-Eyed Raven?
The most accepted theory is that the Night King targeted the Three-Eyed Raven because the Three-Eyed Raven held all the memories of the world, and by killing him, the Night King would effectively erase history. The show never confirms this, but it is the most logical conclusion based on the information presented.
What happened to the White Walkers after the Night King died?
When Arya Stark killed the Night King, all of the White Walkers under his control instantly disintegrated. This suggests a direct link between the Night King and the White Walkers, indicating that their existence was entirely dependent on his. This also implies he was the single mind that controlled the army of the dead.
Is there a chance the Night King could return?
Within the canon of the Game of Thrones television series, the Night King’s death appears to be permanent. However, the magic that created him still exists in the world. Perhaps, in future stories, another Night King could be created by someone with enough knowledge of the old magic.