Night King spears his way to the top
A chill wind sweeps over the battle for Westeros
Not even a dragon is invincible on Game of Thrones.
Sunday’s episode, “Beyond the Wall,” proved that the power balance in Westeros can be completely upended with a wellaimed ice javelin. Anyone can win and anyone can lose.
We rank the top 10 characters from Sunday based on how well they’re winning the battle for Westeros, and their own survival.
1
THE NIGHT KING
With an Olympics-worthy throw, the Night King reminded us why the White Walkers are the ultimate threat on Game of Thrones. The leader of the undead menaces killed one of Dany’s precious dragons, and then added that dragon to his team, a little more undead than before. With the ability to take out the biggest weapon in the world, and with one of those weapons now on his side, plus a giant army that expands every time he kills any foes, the Night King is undeniably the most powerful being in Westeros.
Good luck to everyone else.
2 JON SNOW
He may be down, but there is no way to knock out Jon Snow. The episode pretended momentarily that Jon died in the frozen lake, but nothing can kill him, it seems. Plus, he has finally convinced a strong ally that his war is the most important. Though he said he’d bend the knee to Dany, it’s clear that he will lead the charge against the White Walkers, given his experience.
3 DAENERYS
TARGARYEN
Down a dragon and seriously sobered after her encounter with the Night King, Dany is severely weakened. But, she finally pledged to fight the White Walkers and she still has massive armies and two dragons. She’ll bounce back.
4 SANSA STARK
Arya may be getting under her skin, but Sansa still holds the loyalty of the Northern lords and is one of the few thinking about how people will survive winter, White Walkers or not. However, she sent Brienne away this week, which may end up hurting her. Her position is more precarious than ever, but she’s holding on.
5 BERIC
DONDARRION
Although Beric has been fundamentally weakened by the death of Thoros, the Red Priest who kept bringing him back to life, he debuts on our rankings because he discovered a theoretical way to kill the whole White Walker army. (Kill the Night King.) He also thinks that he and Jon will serve a greater purpose, because the Lord of Light brought them back from the dead. We’ll be keeping an eye on him.
6 ARYA STARK
Her actions this week were confusing, but her ability to intimidate and kill is unmatched. Whatever her plans are, they are likely dangerous.
7 CERSEI
LANNISTER
She may not have been in the episode and she may not even care about the huge White Walker threat, but she still sits on the Iron Throne and likely has a few tricks still up her sleeve.
8 LITTLEFINGER
Fans may wish Littlefinger would just go away already, but unfortunately, Westeros’ resident schemer is still around, and still manipulating the Starks.
9 TYRION
LANNISTER
Things are not looking good for Daenerys’ Hand of the Queen, who has little-to-no influence over her at this point. That’s unfortunate, because it makes him irrelevant to her, and therefore expendable.
10 BRIENNE
OF TARTH
Sansa sent her trusted sworn sword south to represent the North at King’s Landing, which has not worked out for anyone who ever left Winterfell for the capital. However, she does hold some influence over Jaime, and could make a difference if her plot is seen through.