‘Game of Thrones’ season 5, episode 8 reaction: Is the Night’s King the villain we want?

Through the fifth season of “Game of Thrones,” we have heard at least a few concerns about the pacing, the development of the story, and a few other assorted odds and ends. However, one of the biggest complaints that we’ve heard time and time again is that there is no definitive villain, at least on the level of a Joffrey or a Tywin or even a Walder Frey. The High Sparrow has a menacing quality in what he has done to Cersei and Margaery, but his motives are somewhat different than anyone else we have seen. Ramsay Bolton is formidable to a certain extent, but he seems more intent on raping and/or maiming people than actually conquering the world.

This is where the Night’s King comes into play. We saw him in the closing minutes of this episode as the White Walker leading the charge on the attack on Hardhome, and this is the second time we’ve seen the character in some form. After all, this appears to be the same character who we saw with the baby during the fourth season.

So what does he want: Is his game eradicating the human race, or something more? That is hard to say at this particular moment, and given that he is a villain who does not even talk, that could make him a difficult villain to grasp onto.

However, at the same time what makes him so interesting is this ambiguity, and also that he has a power that is unmeasured with any human character: He can revive the dead, and ultimately turn them into his own people. He is firmly protected by an inner circle (if you want to call it that), and he has an enormous army.

So while we cannot say too much, the Night’s King certainly seems at the moment to be the most feared opponent in the entire series.

If you do want to get some other coverage on tonight’s “Game of Thrones” episode, just be sure to head over to the link here for our review! Also, you can sign up here in the event you want some other TV news on all we cover, courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: HBO.)