How Did Benjen Stark Survive on the Night's Watch?

The enigmatic character of Benjen Stark in Game of Thrones has captivated fans with his mysterious fate and remarkable survival. As a member of the Night's Watch, Benjen's disappearance during his mission beyond the Wall created a sense of unease among the Stark family, particularly his nephew Jon Snow. However, the true nature of his survival is a topic of much debate and intrigue.

Initial Disappearance

Benjen Stark's journey beyond the Wall served as a pivotal moment in the series. His disappearance raised numerous questions and left his family and the Night's Watch in a state of bewilderment. The cause of his disappearance was not initially known, but it soon became clear that he had encountered the White Walkers, creatures that represented an existential threat to the Seven Kingdoms and beyond.

Transformation and Rescue

Benjen's encounter with the White Walkers was both harrowing and significant. The White Walkers' ice blades, crafted from a material said to be more lethal than dragonglass, had the power to turn men into wights, making them undead servants of the Night King. However, Benjen was rescued by the Children of the Forest, who used dragonglass to halt his transformation. Dragonglass, a magical substance, possessed the unique power to counteract the magic of the White Walkers and wights, allowing Benjen to retain a semblance of his humanity and free will.

Unlike other victims of the White Walkers, who become fully transformed into wights, Benjen's state of being is neither fully alive nor fully dead. This unique condition allowed him to continue his mission in the North, aiding those men and prevents him from becoming a wight. However, his condition left him in a compromised state, a reminder of the dire consequences of the ongoing war against the White Walkers.

Role in the Story

Benjen's return in Season 6 introduced a new dimension to the narrative. He played a crucial role in rescuing Jon Snow from a group of wights, a moment that showcased the complexity of his condition. His ability to move between the world of the living and the dead granted him a unique perspective on the dangers that lay beyond the Wall, which he used to inform Jon about the threats that lay ahead.

Understanding Benjen's Survival

It is important to note that Benjen's survival was not absolute; he was only partially transformed by the White Walkers. The Children of the Forest, using dragonglass, managed to interrupt the process, but it did not completely reverse it. This unique state is similar to the fates of characters like Beric Dondarrion and Lady Stoneheart, who were resurrected from the brink of death but lost significant parts of their original selves.

The Children of the Forest, in their typical ritual, stabbed Benjen with a dragon glass dagger, believing it would halt his transformation. However, the exact nature of the ritual, or if it was performed in the same manner as the one that revived the Night King, remains uncertain. This ambiguity adds to the mystery surrounding Benjen's fate and fuels the debate among fans about whether he truly survived or became 'one of the dead'.

The key takeaway from Benjen's survival is that dragonglass can stop the transformation process but cannot reverse the damage that has already been done. This is a poignant reminder of the dire consequences of the ongoing war against the White Walkers and the delicate balance between life and death in the world of Game of Thrones.