The Night King’s true identity is not revealed in Game of Thrones, but the villain being a Stark makes a lot of sense for the HBO show – and that explains his ongoing rivalry with another character. Although the fight for the Iron Throne takes up much of Game of Thrones’ throughout the run, the Night King remains a looming presence for most of the series. He poses a greater threat to Westeros than any of the characters hoping to win the titular game. However, they are too caught up in their own power struggles to realize this.
Fortunately, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen manage to gather an army to face the Night King in Game of Thrones Season 8 – but the ending of this story proves to be quite disappointing. The Night King and his army are defeated in a single episode, and that episode reveals little about the villain’s history or motivations. This led viewers to speculate about whether the Night King could be a Targaryen or even hail from House Stark. The latter seems more likely, and would suit your journey along Game of Thrones.
The Night King could be a Stark in Game Of Thrones (but it was never confirmed)
This is a popular theory about the villain
The theory that the Night King is a Stark in Game of Thrones has a reasonable amount of evidence to support him, starting with the fact that he’s probably one of the First Men. The Children of the Forest season 6 flashback turning him into the Night King suggests as much, and we know the Starks are descendants of this group. The Night King may predate House Targaryen, but he was a human when the Starks’ ancestors were in the North. His story also overlaps with that of the Starks, with Arya killing him and Bran being his target.
The HBO show’s Night King also appears to be partially based on the character from George R.R. Martin’s book The Night King. These are two different entities, but it is suggested that the Night King is a Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire. He is the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, and we know that the Starks have held this position numerous times throughout the history of Westeros. Old Nan also tells Bran that the Night King was a Stark, and while she’s not the most reliable source, the HBO series may have taken that and run with it.
The Night King Being A Stark Explains His Strange Rivalry With Jon Snow
Game Of Thrones Never Properly Addresses The Tensions Between Them
The Night King being a Stark in Game of Thrones would explain his strange rivalry with Jon Snowwhich never ends in the final season of the show. The two are treated as enemies throughout most of the HBO series, with Jon constantly trying to rally Westeros against the villain and his White Walkers. The Night King seems to dislike Jon as much as Jon despises him. Although the Night King is hostile to all humans he comes into contact with, his repeated glances at Jon suggest there is something deeper there.
The Night King being a Stark would explain the anger and resentment he seems to feel towards Jon, adding an interesting layer to their dynamic.
The Night King being a Stark would explain the anger and resentment he seems to feel towards Jon, adding an interesting layer to their dynamic. If the Night King has a similar story to A Song of Ice and FireKing of the Night, It is possible that he even wants to take revenge on his family and northerners who wronged him.. This could be why he relentlessly pursues Bran, and also why he seems to hate Jon. Of course, the tensions between him and Jon could also stem from how much they mirror each other.
Jon Snow mirrors the Game Of Thrones villain
It’s even more obvious in the A Song of Ice and Fire books.
The Night King is the leader of the White Walkers, and Jon becomes the leader of the North, so their positions put them in the perfect setting to come into conflict with each other. This is true regardless of the Night King’s origins, although both being Starks would better explain why the Night King is so committed to invading Winterfell and the North. The Night King and Jon were also killed and resurrected, so there is a connection between them in that aspect. They mirror each other in many ways, especially if they are both Starks.
Jon’s story more clearly reflects that of the Night King in the booksas they both become Lord Commander and fall in love with strangers. However, Jon doesn’t let his relationship with Ygritte come between him and his ideals. He chooses duty over love, just as he does with Daenerys later in the series. On the other hand, the Night King loses his soul to the Other woman he falls in love with, allowing his feelings to corrupt him. If Game of Thrones‘villain has a similar story, it’s possible he resents Jon for doing what he couldn’t.