The Night King and his army almost won the Battle of Winterfell—at least until a girl told him, “Not today.”
Warning! This story contains spoilers for Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones fans have been theorizing about the Battle of Winterfell since the eighth season started, and tonight we finally got to see how the whole thing played out. As we expected, there was a serious body count—and circumstances were definitely in the Night King’s favor. Things looked pretty grim for the fate of all of our characters and Westeros.
But then someone stepped in and took care of the Night King… and it definitely wasn’t the person we were expecting. Fans have been led to believe that Daenerys’ dragons would save the day during “The Long Night,” likely with Dany and Jon riding atop of them. As it turns out, Arya Stark is the one who stopped the battle in the end—solidifying her spot as the single most badass person in Westeros.
Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
Granted, Arya wouldn’t have come to the rescue if it weren’t for Sandor Clegane and Melisandre. The Hound made sure to keep Arya alive during this battle at all costs—one of the few heartwarming aspects of the episode—while Melisandre reminded Arya of something her dancing master once told her. When the three of them are trapped in the Great Hall of Winterfell, Melisandre asks Arya, “What do we say to the god of death?”
It’s a chilling moment, and it’s one that Arya immediately reacts to. She runs from the Great Hall, leaving the audience to wonder what she’s got up her sleeve. And really, it isn’t much—just Littlefinger’s Valyrian steel dagger. And that dagger is enough.
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark and Vladimir Furdik as The Night King. Photo: Courtesy of HBO
Even still, it was a close call for Bran. Theon Greyjoy lays down his life to save the boy who was once like a brother to him, and the Night King immediately makes for Bran. Before he can actually do anything to the Three-Eyed Raven, however, Arya jumps in. He grabs her by the throat, but she’s ready for him. She drops her dagger from one hand, catches it in the other, and sticks him with the pointy end.
Luckily, Jon was right about one thing: The Night King’s entire army disappears as soon as Arya destroys him. And Arya couldn’t have had better timing.. .most of the characters were about to meet a terrifying end right as she dug the blade into the Night King’s torso.
And with the Night King and his army crossed off Arya’s list, that leaves one person left to destroy: Cersei Lannister. Surely if Arya can take on death himself, she can handle Cersei, right?
Game of Thrones continues next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
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