Highlights
- The opening scene of the Game of Thrones pilot introduces the concept of winter and the dangerous world beyond the Wall with the appearance of White Walkers.
- The House Stark words, "Winter Is Coming," serve as an ominous warning and reminder of the responsibility House Stark has in protecting the North during harsh winters.
- The arrival of winter in Westeros brings the restoration of House Stark's power, the formation of alliances to combat the Night King, and the need for the Stark family to stand together and protect one another.
The cold opening of the Game of Thrones pilot episode shows three rangers about to embark on a ranging expedition to investigate the Wildling movement in the Haunted Forest. Things begin to go haywire, starting with Will the scout spotting mutilated corpses of Wildlings arranged strangely. Ser Waymar Royce, who commands this ranging beyond the Wall, ascribes the abnormal pattern to Wildlings' habits (a derogatory term for the Free Folk who are situated beyond the Wall). The third ranger, Gared suggests they should head back to the Wall, but Waymar wants to keep going. Shortly after, the arrogant Waymar is killed by a White Walker, and a few frightful scenes later, Will is the only one who makes it out alive.
The same Will finds himself being chased by guardsmen on the outskirts of the castle of Winterfell. When the Lord of the castle, Eddard Stark receives word about Will the deserter, he orders his ten-year-old boy, Bran, and the older lads to saddle their horses. When Ned's wife, Lady Catelyn Stark protests saying their boy of ten is too young to see the treatment meted out to Night's Watch deserters, Ned responds by saying, "He [Bran] won't be a boy forever and winter is coming." Interestingly enough, the Game of Thrones pilot episode is also titled "Winter Is Coming," and there is a deeper meaning to Ned's words.
House Stark Words
Later in Game of Thrones season 1, episode 1, Ned repeats the words, "Winter is coming" to another Stark, who happens to be the First Ranger of the Night's Watch, and his younger brother, Benjen. He is simply adhering to House Stark's words every time he reiterates that winter is upon the Northerners. The words serve as a warning that summer is gone, and challenging winter times lie ahead. As the ruling House of the North, House Stark must always be prepared to brave what the Westerosi winter brings with it. Every noble House in the Seven Kingdoms has its words. House Lannister's words are "Hear Me Roar" and the Lannister sigil is a golden lion on a field of crimson. The House Lannister motto perfectly summarizes the beliefs and ideals of the cunning Lannisters who were once deemed to be the wealthiest in Game of Thrones.
House Stark's words stand apart because they are neither a boast nor a threat. As House Stark guards the North for the realm, the Lord of Winterfell holds the traditional title of the Warden of the North. Their words "Winter Is Coming" are more of an ominous warning. As one of the oldest Westerosi Houses in the Seven Kingdoms, House Stark is responsible for the well-being of the Northerners. It is pertinent to mention that seasons in Westeros are longer than usual. The winters, especially, are hard and cruel, and a responsible monarch on the Iron Throne, such as Aegon V, whose reign began during a tough winter that lasted from 230 AC until 236 AC, made sure the North had enough to supplies to survive.
Ned Stark repeats the words in Game of Thrones season 1, episode 3 "Lord Snow" to Arya to remind her that she must stop quarreling with her sister and that they must stay united. "Look at me. You are a Stark of Winterfell. You know our words..." says Ned. "Winter is coming," replies Arya. "You were born in the long summer. You've never known anything else. But now winter is truly coming. And in the winter, we must protect ourselves, look after one another," Ned teaches his younger daughter.
Winter Arrives In Westeros
True to Ned's words, Winter finally arrives in Westeros after Sansa Stark, and Jon Snow avenge the Red Wedding with timely assistance from the Knights of the Vale. The brother-sister duo takes Winterfell back from the Boltons and restores House Stark to its former position as the ruling house of the North. In Game of Thrones season 6, episode 10, "The Winds of Winter" Sansa informs Jon that a white raven came from Citadel to announce the onset of the winter. "Well, father always promised. Didn't he?" Jon smiles and replies. This winter is different from the rest, as the North redeclares its independence from the realm, and names Jon Snow the King in the North. It is in the same winter that the icy Wall that was made along the northern border of the North to guard the realm against the White Walkers being taken down by Night King's undead Viserion. The winter as depicted in Game of Thrones sees the formation of an alliance to defend the living against the Night King and the Army of the Dead at Winterfell.
Amid the same winter, in Game of Thrones season 7, episode 7 "The Dragon and the Wolf," Ned's daughters, Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya, having finally learned their lessons, recall what their late father once taught them. "In winter we must protect ourselves. Look after one another," says Arya. "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives," the elder, Sansa chimes in. With that, the camera pans above Winterfell, and the North is nothing but snow and wilderness far as the eye can see.