Arya as No One and Her Future

Published July 25, 2017 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hey Guys,

I just started listening to your podcast last week and I’ve enjoyed it all thus far. One thing that I wanted you to revisit was Nymiria and Arya’s interaction. One thing that has always concerned me with Arya was that Ned Stark’s death actually allowed for the to stray away into becoming the black sheep of the family that she has always been. Had the Starks kept Winterfell, I think that regardless of how much of a tomboy Arya actually was, her status as a lady of her house would always remain present as a character motif.

However, after becoming a faceless man, could it be possible that Nymiria maybe recognized Arya’s scent, as she was the idea leader of the pack, but was unable to recognize Arya. The question the becomes why then, did it appear as though the pack wanted to attack? Well, acknowledging the connections that these houses/families have with animals, could it be possible that Nymiria sensed Arya’s death, when it was actually her finally becoming no one? In becoming no one, she lost the essence that makes her a true Stark of Winterfell, as she’s given up everything she is for the sake of revenge. She

You can also see this same idea play out in two other instances. The first was when Arya reunited with Hot Pie. While he recognized her, it was clear that she wasn’t the same Arya, or Arry, as she was when they last saw each other. As you all stated initially, he seemed to be taken aback by how brutish and rugged she is now. The second instance was in Arya’s reaction when Hot Pie informed her that John Snow has reclaimed Winterfell. While some people probably viewed her reaction as a sense of hope, I also saw fear at the thought of her still-existing family realizing who she is and what she’s become. It’s a fear of not being able to be a part of the reunited family because she isn’t one of them anymore.

While I am glad that the writers are providing hope for Arya, I think that the combination of Sansa being left alone in the North to be persuaded by Little Finger and others who question John Snow; John Snow eventually learning his identity as a Targaryen and then Bran’s connection to the Old Gods, I can’t see the Stark being neither permanent nor overly heart-warming. I don’t know if Arya will ever die, but I think that it is clear that she is no longer one of the Starks anymore.

I didn’t read the books so I would love some feedback and analysis. Thanks for a great show!

CJW

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