The Absence of White Walkers in the Battle of Long Night: Strategic and Narrative Choices

The Battle of the Long Night was a pivotal moment in the series, and the absence of White Walkers was a critical factor in its narrative and strategic significance. This article delves into the reasons behind this absence, examining the strategic choices made by the Night King and the narrative decisions of the show's creators.

The Night King’s Strategy

The Night King, the leader of the White Walkers, had a specific strategy in mind for the Battle of the Long Night. He aimed to raise the dead from the fallen soldiers to create chaos and confusion among the living. By not deploying White Walkers initially, he effectively used the dead to overwhelm the living. This strategic move ensured that the White Walkers' presence was more strategic than direct confrontations.

Focus on Bran Stark

The Night King's primary target was Bran Stark, who was serving as the Three-Eyed Raven. The Night King believed that by killing Bran, he could erase the memory of humanity. His forces were likely intended to secure Bran's location rather than engage directly with the living. This focused approach on Bran created a high-stakes scenario, enhancing the emotional and narrative tension throughout the series.

The Role of Varysian Steel

By the time of the Long Night, the Night King had also learned about the properties of Varysian steel. He observed how Varysian steel could turn White Walkers into ice crystals, which he witnessed when Jon Snow used the Valyrian steel sword Longclaw to kill a White Walker at Hardhome. This knowledge was significant, but it was not the sole reason for the absence of White Walkers in the Battle of the Long Night.

Strategic Reasons for Deactivating Wights

During the Battle of the Long Night, if a White Walker died, all the wights he had made would deactivate. The Night King was not stupid and understood the strategic implications of this. If every White Walker that died could mean 1,000 or more wights deactivating, the Night King chose to hold back the White Walkers. He had plenty of wights and could add more as needed.

Additional Wight Strategy

The Night King's forces also added wights to his army during the Battle of the Long Night to attack Jon Snow, allowing the Night King to enter Winterfell unopposed. As he did this, he inadvertently activated all the dead corpses buried in the crypts of Winterfell. The entrance-way to Winterfell was just behind him, and the Night King's actions likely caused a significant number of wights to rise from the ground, further complicating the battle.

Enhancing Dramatic Tension and Character Development

From a storytelling perspective, the absence of White Walkers in the Battle of the Long Night added to the tension and suspense. The focus was on the dire struggle of the living against the wights, which enhanced the emotional stakes of the battle. This choice allowed for a more intimate portrayal of characters' bravery and sacrifice, ultimately leading to a more dramatic and impactful climax in the series.

Conclusion

The absence of White Walkers in the Battle of the Long Night was a combination of strategic choices by the Night King and narrative decisions by the show's creators. This strategic decision and narrative technique heightened the drama, focused on character development, and enhanced the emotional impact of the battle, making it a crucial turning point in the series.