every season of Game of Thrones, it is a ing character that lingers in my memory.

The best character in each Game of Thrones season was totally different. The Starks were set up as main characters, but this was smart narrative sleight of hand - a trap laid to subvert expectations. When Ned Stark's head rolled before the end of Game of Thrones season 1, it was clear that this was no ordinary high fantasy. Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister all stepped firmly into frame, putting a rich tapestry of plots in motion. Game of Thrones paid its characters surprisingly equal attention, enabling a ing character to be my favorite.

Jaqen H’Ghar Is Still One Of Game Of Thrones’ Most Compelling Mysteries

The Faceless Men Were Peak Game Of Thrones

Even ing characters had a life of their own in Game of Thrones, and I still wonder who Jaqen H'ghar really was. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's astounding turn as Jaime Lannister across his 180-degree character development was unforgettable, but Jaime died without a shadow of a doubt. Jaqen existed in a spiritual purgatory of self-effacement, and I still don't know if he was ever even alive, let alone whether he died. The many fan theories about why Jaqen H'ghar was in King's Landing circulate to this day, proving how compelling his mystery is.

One popular Game of Thrones theory posits Jaqen H'ghar was Syrio Forel, who taught Arya the lethal water dance.

The most convincing theory about why Jaqen was in King's Landing can be debunked easily - Littlefinger probably couldn't afford to hire him to kill Ned. So, it's intriguingly unclear how such a talented assassin ended up in jail. And, although the Faceless Men were interchangeable, it isn't clear which one wore Jaqen's face when. As such, it isn't clear who Arya formed a friendship with, if anyone. And beyond any fantastical concept of magic assassination and disguise, this is what drives the curiosity for me and so many, which is testament to how character-driven the story was.

Jaqen Exemplifies How Game Of Thrones Took Fantasy To The Next Level

Game Of Thrones Set A New Standard For TV

Jaqen H'gar standing on a stone building and looking down in Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones was so character-driven that even its ing characters were amazing. That is how the show transcended the high fantasy formula that had been peddled by movies and TV for decades. George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books were the perfect source material, written with multiple point-of-view characters. The novels' multiple POVs translated perfectly into a soap opera, providing something for everyone in of emotional hooks. Given that this interpersonal drama was layered with scintillating thriller elements and the best fantasy TV had seen, Game of Thrones nailed a winning formula.

Related
Did Game Of Thrones' Creator Just Tease An Arya Stark Spinoff Is In The Works?! I Hope So, As It's The Only Sequel That Makes Sense

George R.R. Martin has teased a secret project with Maisie Williams, and a Game of Thrones spinoff about Arya Stark would be a great option for it.

Brilliant character design made Jaqen a story in his own right, as well as what made Arya Stark enthralling throughout many of Game of Thrones' best episodes. German actor Tom Wlaschiha applied the perfect soft-spoken accent for his fascinating character, just out of reach of recognizability. Meanwhile, his character's third-person pronouns secured his place in the pantheon of internet memes for life everlasting, and the platinum streak in his russet hair was an inspired fashion moment up there with Daenerys' best dresses and wigs. Even six years on, I'm still glad Game of Thrones brought us Jaqen H'ghar.

Game of Thrones Poster

Your Rating

Game Of Thrones
Release Date
2011 - 2019-00-00
Showrunner
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Directors
David Nutter, Alan Taylor, D.B. Weiss, David Benioff
  • Headshot Of Kit Harington In The Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall
    Jon Snow
  • Headshot Of Isaac Hempstead Wright
    Isaac Hempstead Wright
    Brandon Bran Stark

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Based on George R. R. Martin's ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.

Writers
D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, David Benioff
Franchise(s)
Game of Thrones
Main Genre
Drama
Creator(s)
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Seasons
8
Story By
George R.R. Martin
Streaming Service(s)
MAX