The Night King of Game of Thrones appears to be based on a villain from the George RR Martin film A Song of Ice and Fire series, but the character in the books is actually better than his counterpart in the HBO show. The Night King as Game of Thrones The presents does not exist in Martin’s series, as there is no clear leader or central figure of the White Walkers. All of the Others look the same in the source material, with no apparent hierarchy. And Jon Snow’s rivalry with the Night King doesn’t exist there; rather, he is concerned about the broader threat North of the Wall.
There is, however, a character called the Night King in A Song of Ice and Fire – and although the difference between the names of the two villains is subtle, this does not extend to their characterization. The Night King dies long before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire, but What we know about him differentiates him from Game of Thrones character with your name. Unfortunately, the Night King remains the more interesting of the two villains, especially after Game of Thrones’ end deals so badly with the Night King.
The Night King in the Books Explained
Old Nan tells Bran Stark about him, but he could just be a legend
The Night King of A Song of Ice and Fire is at the center of many legendswith Old Nan telling Bran and Rickon about him. According to the stories, the Night King was initially the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, but became something more sinister north of the Wall. He apparently fell in love with another woman, something Game of Thrones never appeared. He gave his soul to this Other and brought her back to Nightfort, where he plunged the rest of the Night’s Watch into dark practices, including ritualistic sacrifices.
It is unclear whether the Night King is a myth or a real person in A Song of Ice and Fire, and Old Nan tells Bran that there are many versions of the legends surrounding him.
It is unclear whether the Night King is a myth or a real person in A Song of Ice and Fire, and Old Nan tells Bran that there are many versions of the legends surrounding him. One even indicates that the Night King may have been a Stark. The King Beyond the Wall and the King in the North are said to have worked together to defeat him, a detail that could foreshadow Jon Snow’s story later. A Song of Ice and Fire books. And the Night King was finally killed, drawing a clear line between himself and the Game of Thrones character, who appears to be undead.
Why Game Of Thrones Created The Night King
He gives the enemy a face
Game of Thrones might call its villain something similar, but the series’ Night King is obviously a very different figure from the man depicted in Martin’s books. It’s likely that the creators changed this story to appeal to TV audiences. Giving the White Walkers a leader like the Night King helps give the enemy a facewhat many viewers would expect. Furthermore, giving the villain a rivalry with Jon Snow increases the characters’ personal stakes.
Of course, this change kind of defeats the purpose of the Others in Martin’s books. They’re supposed to be a distant, impersonal threat to the people of Westeros, making it all the more difficult for Jon to rally forces against them. They’re meant to be a faceless threat that should be more important than the fight for the Iron Throne – although for many characters, they aren’t. Game of Thrones gets the general point of Martin’s series wrong, making it more about politics, so it’s no surprise that the show would choose to change the White Walkers to appeal to TV audiences as well.
Why the Night King is better than the Night King in this story
He’s free to be more mysterious as the Night King demands explanation
The Night King in A Song of Ice and Fire is a better villain for Martin’s story, as he is a legend and therefore intended to be mysterious. In contrast, Game of Thrones’ Night King is a character who needs a backstory and motivation, as he is a more present villain. The fact that Game of Thrones never gives it to him, that makes him a poorly executedwhich is a problem the Night King doesn’t have. Because the Night King is a myth and somewhat removed from the main story, he is free to be a frightening but ambiguous figure.
The Night King’s story also contributes to the lore of the Others and the history of Westeros.which is something the Night King can’t do. Martin’s character makes the world of Westeros richer and more developed, teasing what’s to come even though he isn’t present in the main story. The Night King loses some of its luster towards the end of the show, as Game of Thrones it never answers the most pressing questions about him or gives him a role worthy of the entire construction.