The Truth about Arya Stark Books Vs Game of Thrones Season 8

[@darkservantofheaven]

book Arya: learning the true art of the ninja (stealth, patience, perseverance, language, espionage, information gathering, deception) show arya: learning hollywood sterytpe of the ninja (fight, lie and kill)

[@bore-osofmyr2539]

Adam P. Murray Show Arya: and smack talk. You forgot smack talk.

[@nont18411]

The show makes her to become Black Widow. Even Natasha herself has more depth than show Arya.

[@maggyfrog]

you forgot hollywood style impractical fight scenes (cool poses, like the 360 degree rotation that exposes her vital parts to brienne's sword, physics-defying parkour, and that oh so thrilling fight scene with the "waif" that happened off-screen...)

[@impressivesarasarabrown466]

Why yes , wow . Good thoughts. Thank you

[@bbtfan7957]

The show even portrays Arya as an expert archer when in the books she doesn't know how to use a bow and in truth a crossbow or blowgun would be better suited to her physique and fighting style.

[@elizabethschafer261]

“She isn’t training to be as skilled at the sword as Brienne” LOL, thank you for calling out that stupid fanservice fight!

[@ShanghaiRooster]

She was training in the skills of a water dancer with Syrio. Whether she will eventually use those swordfighting skills in the books to come is as yet unknown (it can be said she has used the 'true seeing' frequently), but to borrow the phrase, 'you don't hang a water dancer on the wall if you don't intend to use it'.

[@IshtarNike]

@@ShanghaiRooster True, but ultimately it's a different style of sword fighting that doesn't suit a heavily armoured foe with a broadsword - especially not one clad in steel plate. It would not have gone well for her had it been realistic and she had been fighting a true foe. She's OP and they then nerf her for no reason in the penultimate episode because...It would be boring if she used her preternatural abilities to kill Cersei with no apparent effort.

[@ShanghaiRooster]

@@IshtarNike It's a different style, yes. One which relies more on finesse than on brute force. But in either style I think, the object would be to find a weak spot in the opponent's defences; underneath the arm for example, or behind the knee. Somewhere the plate doesn't cover (if plate is worn). That's how Bronn defeated Ser Vardis at the Eyrie, by skipping away from his attacks to make him tire himself out. And, in the show, it's more or less what Arya did with Brienne; dodging her blows before counter-attacking. Same with Syrio and the Lannister guards. Either way though, this video is about Arya in the books not the show. It would be surprising if a similar situation to the Brienne/Arya fight arose in the books, but only George knows that.

[@SantosAl]

@@ShanghaiRooster proper armor doesn't have that weakness against the types of weapons that Arya uses. There is a reason why Warhammer and maces where the preferred weapons against well armoured warriors. Brienne should have been able to easily and without concern have ignored all of Aryas attacks, since they wouldn't have penetrated the plate.

[@InterestedAmerican]

Arya didn't actually run away from King's Landing. Arya was on her way to die after her father was beheaded. She had Needle in hand and was going to attack the people who killed Ned, however, Ned did a quiet suggestive glance glance at Yoren concerning Arya and he is who took her from Kings Landing to protect her and return her to Winterfell.The King's Guard interrupted Yoren's task when they arrived looking for Gendry Baratheon. Arya escaped Harrenhal in order to try and warn Robb Stark of Tywin Lannister's plans that she got hold of, but the Hound found her and decided to take her to a relative, knowing they would pay him for her return. As they reached the Twins, the Red Wedding was taking place and both the Hound and Arya turned East to travel to the Eyrie where her aunt lived. It wasn't until the Hound battled Briana of Tarth that she ran off and decided to travel to Brovos. In her mind all her family were likely dead. It was her aim to learn the skills to meet out justice on those who did the evil deeds, but Bravos turned out differently. She has been a Stark through and through, with the same sense of honor and justice that her father had. She keeps holding on regardless of how hard she may seem to not want to.

[@mellowyello1478]

Something most dont discuss is how the goal of the Faceless Men is to make Arya forget herself and become no one; making her drop every part of herself gone. But part of her is in Westeros, raiding and killing across the Riverlands, apparently uniting a massive pack of smaller wolves. As shes trying to lose herself, Nymeria is apparently holding on strong to both their identities.

[@mikew3119]

Arya's story line is the Chernobyl of GOT

[@bw126]

I'm always on the verge of tears during Arya chapters ... Such sadness in one little girl. Also I think the wolf dreams allow her to keep part of herself when others can't. Faceless men can't seem to detect warging. Unless the kindly man was just playing along .. he couldn't tell how she knew it was him that was hitting her..(seeing through the eyes of the cat)

[@tzaph67]

Yes I agree. Her wolf dreams allow her to keep her old identity in a way other faceless men can’t. It’s almost as if Nymeria is in fact keeping it safe for her. I don’t think she’ll be forever stuck with the faceless men. I also think that her sense of self and love for Winterfell and family, does not preclude her going off to explore the far West at the end.

[@jeffreysmith236]

definitely, when the kindly man does not say she is lying at the end of her last chapter, it hit me, and I did cry, because I thought she was gone.

[@bw126]

@@jeffreysmith236 for me the sample mercy chapter for winds of winter made me really happy because SPOILER. She refers to herself as Arya again

[@bw126]

@@tzaph67 I also think Jon snow will survive because of ghost. Quite like bran did with summer.

[@tzaph67]

brodie ward I agree. We see in the books just how vital the direwolves are for protecting the Starks and Jon.

[@gaslone79]

One of the frustrating things for me in the show was that Arya did not complete one contract, yet she is called "no one" by a faceless man. In the books she might complete a few while before leaving them. In the show they truncated her Brovos story arc so that she seems incompetent one moment then fully capable out of no where. It was very unsatisfying.

[@jaynu2036]

“What do we say to HBO?”....Not today!

[@homeruzquiano6944]

She also never seems to reunite with no one that she considered close to her. "The lone wolf dies but the pack survives". She questions those words because everyone she tought was part of her pack has left her.

[@peterdixon7734]

The Faceless Men are her new pack. Perhaps the Many-faced God wants representation west of Westeros.

[@TheCloser424]

Loving the content as always. Arya's definitely my favorite and I really hope she has a significant role in the ending of the books as long as it works with her character. One thing I can say about the show is I think Maisie did an exceptional job as her. So glad she was the on-screen representation of Arya Stark.

[@aahana4931]

she's one of the main five,GRRM himself ADORES her 💀,the show neglected the magic storyline and the north but arya is literally amassing a wolf army by warging into nymeria while she's in braavos

[@roberts3405]

I would have thought Arya would have a better arc in the shows.... I can't believe she only changed faces only twice when she left Bravos.

[@josephinewinter]

but season 8 Arya reads Jon a sermon about family being all that matters, and not even love family only birth family, before next day leaving without telling anyone determined never to go back - season 8 Arya is superficial, scheming, preachy, not remotely passionate, true, faithful etc like in the previous seasons or the book

[@williamst.romain7393]

In some ways Arya's story arc is the most obvious, yet at the same time the most complex. To do it justice would require several pages of comments, but I have already written several analysis of her story on my facebook page. I'll stick with being simple here, if possible. Calluna, as well as others, have speculated on how the Starks are embodiments of the Seven -- Ned the Father, Catelyn the Mother, Sansa the Maid, and so on. Arya is of course the Stranger. But Calluna's analysis points out that they are all reversed. Ned is killed in an act of injustice. Robb dies at a wedding and not in a battle, ect. It has always seemed most likely to me that the purpose of Arya's training is that she is meant to save someone. Instead of kill, she saves a life. Had the time in the books lasted longer than obviously the contradiction might easily have involved her having a baby. But that is not likely now. If you accept that Arya is meant to save a life the next question is: which one? I won't go into the details, but I think there is only one possible candidate - Daenerys. I have thought about all the others, including Jon, and I simply cannot conceive of a circumstance where she is both able and willing to do so with anyone else. If true, than Arya being the anti-Dany is simply impossible. There is so much more, but I will end it with this. I have always interpreted GRRM's comment about a 'bittersweet' ending to mean that the 'good-guys' do win, but they have to accept roles they do not want. The clearest example of this is Jon being king. Jon absolutely does not want to be king. But if it is a question of duty, than he will accept the crown. The same is true of Arya. People love to harp on the 'its not me' line. But since when in Westeros does anyone get to choose what life they will have? Why should Arya be different? Have no doubt, Arya is one of the Heads of the Dragon, along with Jon and Daenerys. She is one of the three who must save the world. And when it is over she is going to be forced to live a life she may not have wanted. A bittersweet ending.

[@jserrano51]

I really like this.

[@GrayArea]

I like this. Very dope

[@sharylwashington5319]

William, I would love to see your fb page!!!

[@manofhonor1685]

God I hope arya isnt a dragon rider that would be terrible to imo. I'm hoping its jon, dany, and euron. But if its euron then the 3 heads wouldnt make sense. Unless he claims a completely different dragon, like the dragon spotted in the ruins of winterfell by bran

[@childofpersia1213]

GRRM was asked in an interview about the theory that the Starks are embodiments or representations of the Seven...and unfortunately, GRRM said that’s not true, so any similarities found are mere coincidence

[@rachyvm]

Another interesting thing, in my opinion, is that in the book the key to the North is actually Arya and not Sansa like in the show...the claim of the Bolton to the North relies on the fake Arya Stark! So is Arya going to have a role in the retaking of Winterfell claiming back her identity? Also there is the whole Lady Stoneheart thing (I know some think that Arya is the one is going to kill her). I really hope we will know in the end...Arya arc is really interesting and unpredictable in many ways! Watching this amazing videos make me want to read WoW and DoS more and more!!! Of course the fun part is the journey, but I think everyone wants to know where the journey is gonna end eventually!

[@aahana4931]

more than the key to the north it parallels with Lyanna,the north raising their banner with arya - Ned's daughter as a catalyst,they were already planning to overthrow the Bolton's but just like Lyanna's abduction sped up Robert's rebellion the north sprung into action once again,also in the books Jon is ready to break his vows and he literally dies for Arya,"something he didn't do for Robb and Ned" ,Mel knows this, which may give her leverage over Jon? idk there are so many possibilities

[@jayoyo1001]

Maybe she will be the Valaquor that Maggi the Frog prophesied to Cercei and I would love to see Arya the one killing Cercei.

[@devoringdemonsoulq9086]

@@jayoyo1001with the face of lyanna stark

[@Arya_25]

​@@jayoyo1001 I would love to see Arya being the queen and Jaime will kill Cersei.

[@tzaph67]

Gray, you say you don’t associate Arya with being graceful. She doesn’t dance gracefully in flowing gowns etc but her training has made her graceful! Goodness, even back with Syrio Forel she was observing cats as part of of her training back then and cats are really graceful. The training she’s had at the House of Black and White will have made her really graceful, at least when she wants to be. All her senses are now exquisitely tunes, as is her balance. Hell she learned to fight and even mix poisons while blind! No room to be clumsy. Also, I think maybe it’s the wolf dreams that enable her to maintain her Arya Stark self.

[@boruto7253]

Its like 2am here in South Africa but i jst had to click cause I"m a loyal summer child. Who"s with me????

[@tyweeze8750]

Good morning

[@prankishsquire2663]

4AM on my clock

[@Renee_Kellhus]

I thought I was the only South African here

[@jocelynr4940]

late morning in eastern zone United States. I will always be here, at whatever hour.

[@tia3509]

Lol, for some reason I got so excited when I saw you were a fellow South African 😂

[@isakq]

Jaquen haqar: "the many faced god will take your private parts" Gendry: "Hol up..."

[@jdwthebullitt7765]

Thank you for starting this conversation. I also think that Arya HAS to be different in the book. Something not included in the show is Arya's Warging ability. I expect that to be something special in the books. Bran, as the three eyed raven, can use animals. If Bran and Arya both use the same Animal, can they communicate. I really think that a lot of the ending in the books will involve Bran and Arya working together from opposite sides of the world. According to Six Skins (I think) Jon is also a powerful Warg, but has never been trained. Could we see Bran, Arya and Jon joining up at the conclusion of the books? Will the Warging ability be what ends up ending her association with the Faceless men? Maybe she has a higher calling. I am so looking forward to how the books handle Arya. I was somewhat disappointed in the show. PROVIDED THERE ARE EVER ANY MORE BOOKS.

[@jamie_d0g978]

All of the starks kids, including Jon are wargs. The most powerful are probably Barn and rickon tho

[@madye1096]

interesting theory ! I can't wait to read WoW and DoS..

[@chrmander_z4403]

I'm disappointed that you'd think of Arya as a "Lone Wolf" persona even in the books when she had always been about being with her family and her pack, Gendry and Hotpie (and Weasel and even Lommy).

[@antonryelund723]

She knew that they werent't her pack since they left her.

[@spirittammyk]

And I thought GRRM has always hinted at Arya being with Jon in the end. I figured that's why he made Jon he cousin instead of half brother, and has kept them apart for so long because when he finally sees her again, he won't be seeing a little girl no more, but a young woman.

[@williamoconnell1233]

I think Arya can and will reclaim herself after leaving the house of black and white. She just said what she needed to say to survive her training. The best thing for her to do is to keep who she is in her heart, so she could resurrect herself after leaving. By resurrecting herself she will be free from all debt, and sail west to her dream.

[@TheTam0613]

Thank you, sweet summer Momma! I think your awesome analysis just clicked something into my head. I didn't have the same personality as Arya as a child, but I definitely know who I was and who I wasn't. And growing up in my family, my Irish Catholic Gram, Great-aunts, Aunts and mostly my Mother, directed the "who" I was expected to be. I performed well, but never was going to change my essence. It bothered all of them so very much, but I just wasn't going to be a "lady" in their terms. Now I'm grown up, I don't have children and I'm not married, which I knew I never wanted. You just really helped me identify WHY I instantly connected with Arya. Thank you! PS-as someone mentioned below, I think Maisie Williams truly WAS Arya. Her acting was so enthralling and spot on (given the changes in the writing on the show) and she truly embodied the character called Arya Stark!

[@lostgoth3980]

This made me hate season 8 even more if that's possible.

[@sislertx]

Not me...just more confirmation about dumb and dumbers narcissism

[@mizztorian8844]

Maybe I am having a duh moment, but could the Many Faced God and the Three-Eyed Raven be actually the same entity? If so, isn't it possible that the TER actually planned for Arya to be intercepted along the way for the very purpose to train her just enough for whatever the endgame is? Wouldn't that make more sense than a Faceless Man just happened to run into a lost lonely young girl who has an ever darkening heart? It could even be to help defeat the Others in a major way. GRRM has a reason for every nuance he adds to his characters. It would also make sense for the TER to choose her to train with the Faceless Men because she is so much a Stark. She is definitely more like the Starks of legend than the other Stark children. It was emphasized she was the only one of the five Stark children to look like a Stark. The rest favored Cat. Great video. I can't wait for more. I can't wait for the final two books.

[@veritasinvicta8128]

Just to clarify Bloodraven isn't the "Three Eyed Crow" from Bran's dreams, perhaps the Crow's Eye is connected to it and to the Great Other and may even be invading Bran''s Dreams. Crow's Eye also appears to have Faceless Men connections (Balon's Death). Bloodraven appears as a weirwood in Bran's dreams.

[@molliethomas2585]

"Ask Jaime, ask Theon." Me: Ask Ned Stark.

[@GrayArea]

Mollie Thomas I wanted to list them all. Because literally it’s all of them.

[@childofpersia1213]

Me: Ask Rob Stark

[@jackbone6522]

Season 8 sucked. I just need you to read the books to me.

[@sislertx]

I cant finish the last one available beciae MATRIN HAS NOT SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THIS HOT MESS.

[@empogirl]

True

[@thejudge9162]

@@sislertx Oh don't worry it will be good. Martins other books are wery well made so the next one will also bee well writen. If he lives up to 80 we will also get dream of spring.

[@aslindrusk6854]

I'm saving to buy all The books but I want to know: DOES ARYA DIE IN THE BOOKS?

[@ashleyofnaath]

This somewhat ties to the Daenerys video, but it relates to this one as well...I was watching Ideas of Ice and Fire's video about Arya's dark future, and he had an interesting theory. Because the Ghost of High Heart was so repulsed by Arya's dark heart and mentioned gorging on her share of grief at Summerhall, it's possible Arya causes a similar fiery/catastrophic event in her future. Like blowing part or all of King's Landing with the wildfire. The small folk cheered Ned's execution and all of her Lannister enemies are there. This makes sense to me, and I think Arya is another name to add to the list of people who are better options to burn King's Landing than Daenerys. George has this in his pocket, so as I said on the last video, there's no need to go there w/Dany.

[@KHH595]

Ashley of Naath - You're grasping at straws. Arya already massacred an entire house, she doesn't need to blow up a city to prove her heart is dark. Why even suggest it? Just because you don't want it to be Daenerys that blows up King's Landing?

[@ashleyofnaath]

@Boudicca- Perhaps you missed the point of these videos. These videos are comparing show events w/what may or may not happen in the books. Arya has not massacred the Freys in the books, where it's quite likely Lady Stoneheart will be the one to do it because A)she's in the Riverlands and B)already killing Freys. Also, it's not grasping at straws if George has legitimately wrote this in the books. The point of my comment was that (in the books) burning King's Landing is something that's within the wheelhouse of a multitude of characters already, who's arcs have been building towards having them commit an act like that. Arya is one of those characters. Given that this video is about her, I mentioned the theory.

[@ashleyofnaath]

@Boudicca- Your comment shows a misunderstanding of what the GOHH was saying. She wasn't referencing Arya having a dark heart because of potentially murdering the male Freys, or murdering dozens people as a Faceless Man. Arya was w/the Brotherhood Without Banners, who as adult soldiers would've already killed a fair amount of people. Not to mention, some of them would go on to assist Lady Stoneheart in killing male Freys. The GOHH didn't react to them as she did to Arya. So there has to be something more, and far worse, in Arya's future for the Ghost to react to her like that. Given that in the same discussion the GOHH brings up Summerhall, it's not "grasping at straws" to think a similar event in Arya's future.

[@bore-osofmyr2539]

Ashley of Naath this is a really good observation

[@tayathornhill715]

In my mind she see Arya’s heart as dark because of the red wedding, and does not want to have to be around her grief because she has so much of her own. After the red wedding Arya says there is a hole where her heart should be therefore she has a dark heart. It has nothing to do with her burning people.

[@habeeballaahtaahaa2409]

As always I think you are on point. I read and reread the books and the shows ending didn't make sense especially since George released the sample chapters of winds if winter from time to time.

[@maverickassasin1514]

She was my favourite character even right till the end of season 7. I ended up hating her after season 8. Thanks D&D.

[@americangrit7759]

West of Westeros? Nope I can't see it! I hated that ending for her! I'm still on the outcome equals the name of the direwolves. On the show all the other Stark kids got the ending corresponding with their wolf name. Arya- already traveled all over with tons of problems along the way, like Nymeria; in the end she has to settle like Nymeria. I see her collecting refugees on her way. I'd like to see her back in the riverlands at Harrenhal maybe as the lady but also as the secret police or faceless men of Harrenhal. Maybe? IDK. Because if you're going to rebuild a capital you might as well rebuild Harrenhal instead of kings landing because Harrenhal can hold the million people who lived in kings landing and with the biggest farm lands you'd have the people to work it. Plus if bran is becoming king the gods eye is right next door. Something has to happen at Harrenhal in the end! So 2 things. Arya follows Nymeria's story line and if you're going to restore a place for a million people... restore Harrenhal instead of kings landing.

[@jacobenke7936]

If a girl was really Arya Stark, she would have stayed with Nymeria. That was one of my major peeves. In the books, she's with Nymeria every night.

[@josephinewinter]

is the faceless story a metaphor of the seductive swap of your self - your memory, your feelings - in return for numbness, the only freedom from sadness - that is a common way out of depression?

[@Sexbott]

Huh ? Seductive swap..?

[@bigjohnkapert2827]

So glad to see you continuing your blog. I especially love your GOT show and SOIAF book videos. You are one of the first bloggers to get me hooked on GOT and blogging in general. A friend of mine got me interested in the books about 15 years ago, and you kept my interest going. Keep on keeping on. FYI, I'm 66 years young.

[@danjordan1]

Sweet Summer Juice!

[@chandlerkinney4630]

Thankyou, GrayArea! could you discuss young griff aegon in the books and how you think hell affect the book story?

[@chandlerkinney4630]

Since he wasnt in the show, I'm curious if he will have an impact on how the books end

[@rowan3682]

I think they tried to merge Jon and Aegon in the show, which is why Jon's relationship with Dany was so illogical. It's hard to tell how everything will play out, but it seems to me that one might be her lover and the other an antagonist. Or s8!Jon might just be a transplanted Aegon like how show!Sansa was a stand in for book!Jeyne. Her reaction to R+L=J could be a hint to how her book counterpart will view Aegon. Not the ally he intends to be, but a threat. She wants to be queen, feels she deserves it, and does not want to share with someone who has a better claim than her. Perhaps they form a truce to fight the Others, only to have it fall apart due to Dany's paranoia later on. Or maybe Aegon and Dany team up and become lovers. If f!Aegon is true, their relationship could sour due to that reveal. Either way, Aegon's purpose in the books may be to fuel Dany's prophecy related paranoia and force her on a darker path. He could even be the one to kill her, but it's a little early to tell where either of their stories are going. Additionally, it's possible that Aegon will be the one to ride Rhaegal. Or both Jon and Aegon will be dragonriders at some point - three heads of the dragon and all that. As for Jon, he could be Dany's lover or (more likely now that I'm thinking about it) fulfill show!Sansa role as a proponent of Northern independence and minor antagonist for Dany. Someone who doesn't trust her and who just wants the south to stay out of their business. Given that show!Jon ended in the North - at a Wall that shouldn't exist anymore - his book ending could be as King in the North. Maybe even with Sansa as his queen, who knows lol. At the very least I get the impression that book!Jon's storyline will be much more focused in the North. He might be half Targaryen, but his identity will always be as a Stark. It's all still waayyy too early to tell though. Some think Cersei will die much earlier and Aegon will simply take show!Cersei's place. But with the way they handled Jon in the last two seasons - including inexplicably having his birth name be "Aegon" - suggests some kind of merger between the two characters happened.

[@christophertracy4377]

I hated the Starks after S8! I know a killer when I see one says the girl who killed people and baked them into a pie, fed it 2 Walder Frey then slit his throat, Using Walder's face she massacres all the male line of house Frey! really?

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

Bran, Sansa and Arya so fucking annoying. Funny how I ended up loving the Lannister family much more in the end. Add Bronn and Sam Tarly to the list of truly irritating characters after season 8.

[@gracecookie4604]

Takes one to know one

[@ekaterinaponizovskayadevin2812]

Agree! Arya was my favorite in the first season and I hated her at season 8. In season 8 she reminded me Tuco from Breaking bad - a stupid brainless thug that has the only answer to everything "I don't need many allay and I cut your throat" .

[@daijuanastanley685]

Y’all haters💁🏿‍♀️💁🏿‍♀️💀😂😭😭😭she better than your favorite, she was doing the real fighting 💯periodt

[@judy9395]

If Arya does become the "hero" of Winterfell it will happen way differently. Bran talks about climbing the heart tree to get into the first keep, and a secret tunnel in the walls of Winterfell. When Arya is with Yoren at night she climbs the trees to get out to go pee. As she is in the trees she thinks about how silent she has been and how easy it would be to jump down and scare the boys below her.

[@VagabondAnne]

Thank you, I really think the Arya and Tyrion arcs are seriously underrepresented. And I love what you say about her and Jon being the Starky-est of the Starks. Tyrion is so UnStark, and yet he keeps gravitating toward them. The Tullys seem to have taken over for a generation, what? Those two are the ones who "don't fit in". I wonder about Rickon out there on Skagos. I wonder about what Preston says about the weirwoods, and the death cult of the House of Black and White, and the Children of the Forest.

[@jessej2g121]

I think that when Arya was being chased by the waif; that she was the was the only one to see her true face. That would explain how jaqen could kill so many guards without getting noticed. Arya achieved the speed of the wolf when she killed the night king. She just didn't know it till then.

[@kaitelizas44]

Thank you for this, Gray 🥰 Arya is my favorite character of all time.

[@jayoyo1001]

The eyes that Arya has when she is blind looks like Lady Stoneheart her dead mother Catelyn Stark, scary.

[@justme.1st]

Thank you Lady Gray, I need to re-read the whole series, a little solace after that catastrophic ending to the show ...

[@reneenayfabnaynay5679]

You read very well. I'm almost put into an hypnotic state, listening to your melodic voice. You really have a great voice. Keep up the good work! 😊

[@GrayArea]

Thank you!

[@willcorlett7630]

Thank you for anoter excellent video, which as always makes me think and enjoy boththe book and the series more. Arya, is probably the most complex of the characters in GoT, even moreso than Bran. She it the witness to more than any other character and her wanderings (often her fleeing) are in themselves mini journeys through the facets of her character. Te book constantly drops big hints that she to is a potent warg, something downplayed in the TV series and this seems to shape her restless character, always needing to move on - much like Nymeria and her pack Agree the Faceless men are played down in the TV series but given the complexity of their role, beliefs and practices this was probably the correct choice for this media, they are distilled into one aspect , their ability to kill. Her Tv ending was almost an afterthought, almost a let us give the character who endured so much a happy ending. As for the books I am guessing something darker, perhaps her returing to Bravos and really becoming noone to escpae the memeories of what she had done and was. Ayra the heroine wanderer might appeal to some TV bosses as a spin off but...........

[@Vexclorion]

Whenever I hear the shame at the end, I just see it referring to season 8 now... For this truly is the long night as we wait for the books to finish

[@TeacherNyla]

This gives me so much hope that the books to come will be nothing like the show. Your videos are the best. You study GOT like a science.

[@GrayArea]

Gillian Phillips thank you!

[@FrayAdjacentTX]

Well, Arya in the show should have just changed her house name to Lannister.

[@alinemartinslanes6168]

Sansa too

[@rachyvm]

first of all great video, as always! I don't think that Arya is going to sail west of Westeros in the books either. I'm pretty sure she's going to leave the faceless men eventually to play a big role in Westeros future events...but are the faceless men going to happily let her leave? as you said, that's very unlikely! Also we know as a fact that in the book there are always consequences for characters' actions...so (sad as it might be, since I really love Arya) I honestly think she gonna die in the end!

[@neriumsuitedher]

She probably isn't or George's wife would kill him.

[@PedroLucas-mg5je]

@@neriumsuitedher The FM could just simply fire her after her latest kill in TWOW because she broke the rule of never killing someone you know!

[@paulabarra5431]

Actually I believed Arya wanting to know what is west of Westeros would be her coming back to take her place in the life that she run away. If you look at Arya’s journey. And arc she is still very present in the riverlands, in the brotherhood, in Nymeria and in lady stone heart. Then in the north she is the reason stanis is moving his men, Jon broke his vows, why he pardon merce. Being the lady of winterfell. Arya when she run away from KL she stepped out of her shoes and someone else stepped on her shoes. She will return to Westeros. She is becoming a different person because she is also maturing and flowering. Arya seduced a grown man. She is growing more graceful as she continues to train with the house of black and white. She has not only done that in bravos. During her journey from winterfell to KL, to riverlands to bravos she has picked up so many new skills. Skills that would make her a very cunning yet very prepared ruler. Arya told Ned when he told her that she would marry a KING and rule his castle. Arya said no that is Sansa’s again this is a 9 years old. But Ned mention Arya marrying someone who will let her rule. Which is not the traditional female role in Westeros. However arya is very close to two bastard heirs Gendry and Jon. Both loved and enjoy and even appreciate Arya’s wildness, unlady and unconventional ways. Also going by what Arya is giving up to stay in the house of black and white. Arya will be no one’s mother No one’s child No one’s wife. But if Arya was to return to her role in Westeros she would be Arya Stark. A princess of the north, lady of winterfell. Arya will not be at the mercy of men. She will lead men as men will go to war for her as they are already in ADWD bolton, stanis, and Jon. Lady Dustin mentioning how the north will go to war for Ned’s brave little girl. How Jon will grant her his men as he did for stanis as an exchange for him bringing Arya to him in castle black. However Jon thinks of sending Arya to bravos for safety. Arya can warg into nymeria can see through nymeria’s eyes. Can has hundreds of wolves to lead into battle. Arya is maturing and is evolving as well but not in her convictions. But in herself as she views herself and as she views the things that weren’t appealing for her. She just needs a motive. Something that will spark her desire to return. And I do believed that will be learning of Jon’s death. Arya once mention that she wouldn’t stay in a tower crying over her lost knight, that she will go after those who kill her knight. Specially considering that Justin Meecy is on his way to bravos to negóciate with the iron bank and by arms for stanis. She could learn that Jon was kill and specially because part of the reason why Jon was kill was because he wanted to ride south to winterfell to take Arya from Ramsey. So it will make Arya feel guilty. GRRM mention how there will be a time jump in the book, and the reason why that is because he needs to move so much and tie so much up in two books. Arya went to bravos cause she believed to have nothing and couldn’t make it far on her own. So she went to bravos to learn to kill so she could protect herself. She now knows that. And not only that she knows the art of changing faces which adds another lair of protection. She doesn’t even have to expose herself to get to her targets. Yet she had learn Trade Politics Lying Acting Languages Potions and poisons Sorcery She is good with figures, she knows how to cook, clean, bind wounds, and specially she knows the mind of men. She has seen how men think which is a very limited things to girls of her birth. Arya will sail west to Westeros. Back to being Arya stark. This is said by Jon to her. That she must stop running away or she will eventually be found dead once come winter. Arya was running away from septa and her high born lady classes. She is running away from that part of who that is who she is. She is a high born lady. She obviously doesn’t find the appeal because she doesn’t wish to live the life girls live under men. But she can be a warrior lady. Like Jeyne Arryn, queen nymeria, lady Bethany Blackwood, queen Visenya. They were most marry and wore dresses yet were armour and commanded men to battle. Two of the queens marry to men that allow them to be that way.

[@wjhall307]

Nice work as always. One of many problems the TV show had in adapting the books was its downplay of the magical elements. I believe both Bran and Arya's story-line suffers from this the most because in the books they will be the most magical Starks. To me, the only way the Faceless Men story-line makes sense is if Arya uses the lessons about death she learned from them to defeat the Others. I don't think she is going to stab some Night King but I do think her Faceless Man training will allow her to magically break the Others' hive mind like control of the dead. I also believe that has been the plan of the Faceless Men all along. So Arya will not have to run from them. She will have completed her mission and fulfilled her ultimate assignment, whether she knows it or not. Where she goes after that I don't know. It could be the show just stole the idea of the Female Mariner from the World Book or maybe like Frodo she is too damaged to remain in the Shire and sets sail to a new world. Either way this ending where Arya sets sail for a new world may fit, especially if she is in good stead with the Faceless Men.

[@ksj3863]

I never thought she would go west of Westeros either. It seemed weird that she would leave Winterfell.

[@nikkiward1715]

@greyarea I really enjoyed this video! I’m wondering what you think about Jon’s arc? Where do you think his story is headed?

[@GrayArea]

Nikki Ward I got you! Coming soon

[@umwha]

What people (especially the writers) did NOT get about Arya is that she is defiant, yes, but that defiance is just a cover for a deep sensitivity and vulnerability. She isnt a cold badass. She has a tough exterior as a survival strategy, thats all.

[@erhardokleinheisterkamp9795]

Really enjoyed the video. :)

[@ggd210]

Sooner or latter I’ll read the books!! Thank you for your analysis!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@annematusiewicz3712]

Thank you for this terrific, thoughtful video. Arya's story is so complex, and the show simplified it and gave the impression that the Faceless Men were grooming her specifically to kill the Night King, which just doesn't make sense.

[@TheSentientSensei]

You knew exactly how to finesse this. Didn't think anything could keep me interested in Game of Thrones or ASOIAF for that matter, but your expert analysis just won't quit. Thank you. The final season was disappointing, but your videos made the lead up to it so sweet.

[@noneya3635]

Arya is a child who “thinks” she knows who she is. The running away and wild child actions are proof that she is “still” trying to figure out what she wants. Any nine year old who claims they know who they are are the most childish not wise beyond her years. She’s rebellious, not brave and independent.

[@greywolfe2725]

Book Arya is my favorite asoiaf character and I’ve thought a lot about her ending. She starts out the story completely understanding her identity, she is a wolf, a Stark. When she joins the faceless men she is being told to lose her identity. The ending I want to see is the faceless men showing her who she truly is. She is a wolf. I think that when she tries to escape the faceless men Arya will be killed for escaping and I think she will become one with her Direwolf Nymeria. Either the faceless men will kill her or she will die fighting the others. I think Arya becoming one with her Direwolf is a great ending for her arc and I think it will fit in with the bittersweet ending George has planned.

[@peterdixon7734]

Very good. One might add that Arya in the TV show got landed with some of Lady Stoneheart's revenge attitude.

[@Ruimas28]

You have some very interesting points. On her journey I will agree with pretty much everything. I expect her to be sent back to Westeros on some mission. I also think that whoever Jaqen was, he had a purpose when he said maybe she could give her list to the Many Face God. Maybe they do want her to kill some of the people on her list. What I wonder is if they will want her to kill someone else she will be very conflicted about. That´s where I am guessing that it could make things very interesting and harsh. As for her ending, agreed that she will go away but not on a very happy ending kind of note. Arya is the face of vengeance….nothing good has yet come out of vengeance in these books. So either there is a way for her to get free from it, and it seriously looks she is already too far gone, or she will go down a dark path. She will be powerful, she will maybe be key in the fights to come, but she will not be a force for good. And its very likely that she will not be able to go back to her family after all is said and done.

[@Ruimas28]

I will add that the very one thing I can see unleashing her from the darkness…..is if she gets to face her undead mother. Maybe if she gets to confront everything that her mother has become, that could change her and motivate to do some 180º turn. But I am not sure…..I think her not being the kind of lady who will get old and have children does not tell of a very bright future.

[@greyscapeentertainment4816]

This is why reading books will always give the audience a richer experience than watching a movie or TV series. One, books go much more in depth about what is going on internally with the characters, not just what it looks like on screen. Second, screen plays are often adjusted to what the producer and director thinks will appeal to fans. Often diverting in very meaningful ways from the original story. Always read the book if you can

[@bellabalms7319]

To me i always see the sword as a symbolism to who arya is. The sword is the identity of her so when she hides the sword instead throwing it away into the river. Shows she is still hiding her identity deep within her heart so well hidden that even faceless god or men cant find her anymore. So when she finally grabs the needle it represents that she has regained her identity back and her wolf dreams are always a reminder of who she is. So no matter how lost she is she can always find a way back. When you talk about how they can give or take her identity at will from taking away her face. It does not represent them stealing her identity. Since identiry is who you are on rhe inside rather than out. So no matter how many faces she has she will always be who she wants and does not matter what face she takes. Another thing even if she does run away if gives something of equel exchange her deal with the faceless men would be viod just like the lives jac gives arya

[@DeltaCDN]

If arya gets memories from the faces, couldn't she learn how to fight by gettting memories from a face that knew how to fight?

[@elizabarry4]

I just found your channel and I have been binging your videos. I love how funny and matter of fact you are! Great stuff 👍

[@eli243lg4]

Not to mention how they messed up her relationship with Jon, compared to the books.

[@Arya_25]

Ikr i hated how they focused on Sansa and Jon relationship more

[@runecrafter1198]

I wouldn’t be surprised if her first proper name she is given is Daenarys and the person giving the name is Euron or someone else. It’s likely going to be someone she knows and that’s when she’ll shock back into Arya Stark of Winterfell.

[@lu4212]

Didn't like her in the show she came across as a vicious psychopath to me her Walder Frey and Meryn Trant kills were deeply disturbing

[@aryasuperstark9599]

Arya is the best

[@rsmcampbell9360]

She killed people in the book also.. when she escaped Harrenhal in the books, SHE killed the guard. NOT Jaquen Hagar..... and when the guards pursued her, she warged her wolf and ATE them..... soooo

[@etowaifumura4952]

ow the story is not disturbing to you already? the books nor the show?

[@rsmcampbell9360]

@@etowaifumura4952 I'm a fan, and it's always been disturbing, lol, folks who haven't read the books, have no idea!

[@sandinavyvet]

I noticed at the beginning of the video that you did not mention what Ned said to Arya on why she does NOT favor her mother. In the first book Ned tells Arya that she favors her aunt (Jon Snows mother) in the way she looks and acts. I do not know when Book 6 & 7 will come out so we can know what happens to Arya at the end.

[@benfisher5531]

I reckon Arya’s redemption will come with the defeat of the White Walkers in the books too, the thematic connections are there. She uses her ability to kill to save life, rather than destroy it.

[@cindyc3183]

Thank You! I’ve been waiting for this!

[@firstsword6460]

Quality content just when I almost lost interest in this channel. Excellent video. @GrayArea how about making a video about the waif book version vs series version, would be awesome. They are different but the series version acted very well in that role as a killer.

[@keyontaeg.6645]

“Hellooo my sweet summer children.” So nostalgic, so legendary. But I need the juice to get through the long night.

[@maggyfrog]

my mini prediction / theory : nymeria has her own pack of wolves (not direwolves), and so arya will really be a vital member of the faceless assassins (new family). as nymeria is amassing a very large pack to go on a killing rampage in the riverlands / the north, arya will also assassinate certain individuals with a real consequence to the story and not just part of her training. when arya gets back to westeros, it would then be too late to be her old self. she'll be as skilled as jaq'en and her faceless missions will be part of some plot twist in a foreshadowing. and she will keep her faceless identity even with the starks + jon targaryen family reunion. maybe she'll actually go further in the EAST and not west, maybe become a mystery unto herself like melissandre. she'll be so far from the original arya, that it's the biggest tragedy of her whole arc, to never be the old arya again. edit: also, since the old arya has always said and foreshadowed that she won't be a lady, this is in line with the faceless assassin persona she'll have for the rest of her life. she may have known all along that she's not a dainty lady like sansa, but the fulfillment of that would come with a very heavy price.

[@Nipptwistyy]

It's not that she cant kill someone that she knows its that she cant kill someone for the reason that she did. She has to do it for the faceless men not for arya stark. She cant be "no one" if shes holding onto old grudges

[@blabloojabun]

Aryas going to die in the books as jon says in her first pov youll be found dead in the snow with a needle in your hands

[@matths226]

I love your reviews, it’s a breath of fresh air to the dying community

[@matths226]

@Bonnie Cull have you even read the Manga bro

[@Amanning15007]

See I always interpreted that the man had a heart attack when he saw the coin because he knew what it meant, not because of posion.

[@Poohnyc]

Y’all almost sound mad at the fact that arya knows how to fight why tho? All her life she wanted to know how to fight with a sword and be great at it so why y’all in the comments & gray sound mad at her being able to fight good with a sword ….it sound like y’all just like the faceless men aspect of arya

[@larissaorozco3255]

I always wondered what is with that story line with the waif chasing her because they always were okay leaving in the books.

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

The show just dumbed down that plotline.

[@tayathornhill715]

I don’t think Arya will become No one truly, in the end of the mercy chapter she is Arya again, just pretending to be Mercy. She has a wolf pack to lead. And you forgot to mention that she saves Sam because he is a member of the night’s watch.

[@tayathornhill715]

Bonnie Cull it is in a Sam chapter, when she is still selling seafood, he is attacked for having a sword by two men and she stops them, then they talk about him being in the night’s watch, Sam does not know who she is.

[@williamst.romain7393]

Thinking it over, I think I should add this additional comment. I believe Arya joining the Faceless Men was no accident. I believe SOMEONE, someone who will remain nameless, went to them and told them that, if they should ever run across a little girl named Arya Stark, that they should take her in. That they train her and take care of her. Even kill her should she prove wanting. The entire purpose was for her to fulfill a specific task. If you're wondering what task my previous comment should tell you. She was never meant to really become a Faceless Man, nor do I think the Kindly Man expects her too. As to who the mysterious person is, think of who is most likely to have a relationship with the Faceless Men and wants Daenerys to survive more than anyone.

[@karlclements]

Varys?

[@williamst.romain7393]

@@karlclements Varys doesn't care about Dany beyond getting her to marry Faegon. And I doubt he has anything to do with the Faceless Men.

[@williamst.romain7393]

@@cybele_m If Mel wanted Dany to be queen she'd be with her in Meereen. Not with Stannis.

[@williamst.romain7393]

I've been hoping that Gray would give her own opinion, but it seems she doesn't want to.

[@williamst.romain7393]

@@cybele_m She/he is most certainly in the books, and in the show. As with so much else, she/he is much more prominent in the books. And she/he pesters Dany repeatedly.

[@allisonf3508]

What’s west of Westeros? The Resteros.

[@javiermendezperez6910]

Also the faces work for everybody else but herself cause in that chapter where she wears the ugly girl's face they are describing the face she has, missing teeth and all but she doesn't feel it, she feels her own face even tho everyone sees the fake one.

[@1NotN]

"We'll find out more in the winds of winter" Oh sweet summer child, it's cute you think that book is ever coming out

[@jarredhurley9572]

Great video, as always. I am anxious to see how her arc plays out in the books.

[@briceslorene8760]

Just started, watching new sweet Teee juice, thanks mama

[@monicacole3935]

that video was perfect, i loved it. i havnt read the sample chapters for the next book, i wanted to save it all up for when its published, but since i dont know when, or if, it will come out im gonna take a peek

[@cassiuscoleman4624]

I don't think it's a matter of letting Arya learn their secrets and her just being able to run off. I think that she went through and learned all that she was supposed to learn, even though it may not seem that way. I think that's why they let her go. And in that by allowing her to go back out into the larger world she will still fulfill and serve her commitment to the faceless men and the god of death. My idea of the faceless men is that they are agents of death, but they are also agents of justice and retribution. You mentioned Arya killing Raf the Sweetling and how she wasn't supposed to kill him. I think she was. I think she had become an agent of retribution in her heart even before she got to Bravos. I think that all the people on Arya's list are truly evil and bad people who's names are on lots of peoples lips in hopes of seeing them dead someday, so I think her killing Raf was a justifiable termination. I think that by letting her back out into the world and not trying to control who and when she kills is exactly what the faceless people want. Hagar was basically out doing the same thing when he met Arya. She saves his and two other lives, lives that if not for her intervening would've been given to him so to balance that scale, he tells her to give him three other names to satisfy that debt. All men must die as the saying goes and it's probably just a straight up fact of life or default status of life in general. And people's fates are decided by all sorts of things and they don't have to be good or bad in the way people die, just that they do. But on top of that if there is injustice or evil or cruelty involved the many faced god is cool with a retribution style killing.

[@edwardmartin5860]

Yas about time damn been waiting found tha juice I'm parched.Soo good

[@seamuscallaghan8851]

I buy into Preston Jacobs's theory that the Faceless Men are currently working for the fAegon cause and Jaqen is after Bloodraven. If Bran then becomes the Three-Eyed Crow and Arya becomes Jaqen's replacement (or something similar), then that could create an interesting situation where she has to decide whether or not she's willing to kill her own brother.

[@ARVETDEG]

I think another problem of the series was making Arya into a full psychopath and brushing off his murders as cool, just and without repercussions, and that that was the end of her journey as a character. Basically making the doubts and mistakes that make Arya into a third dimensional character with inner conflicts that will make her grow even more, fully gone. While in the tv show, they made her into a flat character who's only a cool tomboy assassin serving right and just blind justice because yes, eliminating all the complications and grey areas of justice and doing the right thing, like the books is always presenting us with. And as the books are also hinting us, that will not be the end of her journey and growth as a character, but it will be something that she will have to overcome. Especially making her realize that revenge won't bring her full satisfaction, especially blind revenge and justice. Something the tv show misses completely and brushes it off as cool and right.

[@corbinskywalker]

Gray Lady returns

[@BenDeccoman]

You're awesome GrayArea. Super bummed about the last season and your stuff helps. You rock. Thank you.

[@sonyawaldron6476]

Going from the books, not the show, which put me into a state of disbelief at how they ended such amazing arcs. I'd always thought she would ( eventually) reunite with Nymeria and lead a gigantic pack of wolves against the white walkers to save her brother Jon at some point. Just turn up at the crucial moment,and by order of the faceless men. The wights are against the natural order of things and taking the many faced gods prerogative of death and the gift of mercy and twisting it into endless servitude to the others..I'd assume they'd want that rectified. But I'm waiting ever so patiently for a long long time since I read the first book to see how Arya ends?? She was one of my favourites from the start. If GRRM ever finishes the book series, that is??

[@MizzMDN11]

GRRM says that the ending will be bittersweet, which is actually why I think Arya will die at the end of the books, but that she'll live on in Nymeria with her huge wolf pack. After Robb and her mom and dad are killed, the only time she ever really feels happy, free, and in control, is when she's in Nymeria's mind. So it would be bittersweet to see this sweet summer child die, but knowing that she'll be happier than she's been in a while as Nymeria.

[@marjoriedudley3411]

To understand Arya future I need to know why a faceless man allowed himself to be captured and why did say Arya had to give him 3 names?? Did he say this to anyone who saved a life?

[@Sloppatola]

I'm finally over S8 and happy to rejoin your awesome channel ;) Please bare with this as you might roll your eyes at first. I do think Arya will go west. I don't see the disconnect between being Arya and being nobody. Yes, we know they are opposites like the night and the day, like living and dead, like space and solid. It is precisely this kind teaching in Hindu and Buddhism that reveals opposites to be different faces of the same thing. We know what day is because there is night and vice versa but if there was only one we wouldn't acknowledge it because it is that way always. Could go on forever there but... If who Arya was when she entered has no weight then the Faceless would have no particular interest in her either way; she'd be no better or worse than anyone else. But I feel they do have interest in her especially when they play at that they don't. Do you feel me on that? Like a Zen master they show her the way of nobody. And like many of the Zen tasks, you take them up to find that they reveal something unexpected, an unknown unknown, something you didn't know you didn't know. At the very least you learn that somethings are futile, for example, trying to stop thinking while meditating. They literally say that you must achieve this despite the fact that you can't. This is so that you know that you can't and in trying to do so you seem to find the way to meditate. So long story short, Arya will go west because that's where the Faceless need her to go and they knew that she would be the one to do it.

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

The old gods and the new.....My take on The Faceless god was that this god had many parts, many faces, and part of who that god is, is justice. I think part of this god felt that Arya Stark had been given a raw deal. In addition, there were shades of the Norse Norns (child, woman, crone) in George R. R. Martin's Faceless God, in that the Faceless God seemed to have some omniscience, so maybe the god knows about The Night King and the part Arya had to play or might play in that. Its possible IMO, that the Faceless God was, all along, preparing Arya for what was to come (or might come ie one possible future).....

[@khloemckay5995]

Arya suffered the most I think and she came to be the number one assassin and avenge her fam the hero of winterfell

[@berilsevvalbekret772]

I do not think they ripped her own face off but cut her and used her blood to fuse the face with her own.

[@lisas525]

Jaken as a character in the show was so appealing, I’m glad they kept him in the story line.

[@mortalkomment8028]

New subscriber here. Good work!