(Spoiler alert: Do not keep reading if you did not see Sunday’s episode of “Game of Thrones” or do not want to know what might happen next week.)
“Game of Thrones” has no shortage of compelling storylines, but Arya Stark’s journey from young noblewoman to trained killer has definitely been among the best.
However, a new fan theory could throw a wrench into the young Stark’s plans to avenge her family as she could be forced to face an enemy like no other: herself.
A redditor has theorized that Arya (Maisie Williams) and The Waif (Faye Marsay), the young girl who torments Arya at the House of Black and White, are actually the same person.
After Arya came to the den of the Faceless Men, she experienced a split in her personality, with The Waif representing her killer instinct, that if she were to embrace would allow her to truly become No One.
Here’s the evidence: It appears that only J’aqen H’ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) and Arya can see The Waif, like the scene when she is beating a blind Arya with a stick in the streets of Braavos and no one seems to care.
In addition, The Waif always knows what Arya is doing, where she is, and what she is thinking. She also constantly harasses Arya and makes her want to quit her training under the legendary assassins.
Finally, when The Waif tells J’aqen that Arya has failed in her assignment to kill Lady Crane, some have said that J’aqen looks pleased when The Waif leaves to kill Arya. Thus, when The Waif stabbed Arya in the end of Sunday’s episode, it was Arya trying to kill the last remaining good part of herself.
Do you think Arya and The Waif are one and the same? Let us know in the comments section below
If the theory is true, then Arya has not one but two spots on our “Game of Thrones” power rankings this week. Check out where she stands on our Top 20 below.