The Silent Truth Behind the White Walkers' Mysterious Silence in Game of Thrones

The White Walkers in Game of Thrones possessed numerous abilities - resurrecting the deceased, enduring for millennia, observing epic battles astride undead horses - yet they never uttered a word, despite having the capability to do so. Throughout the entire series, from its inception to its penultimate season, the White Walkers loomed as the greatest menace to Westeros. Despite their immense significance leading up to the conclusion of Game of Thrones, many enigmas surrounding them were left unanswered.

Who was the original Night King? Why had the White Walkers resurfaced at this particular time? What did they occupy themselves with when they were not slowly advancing towards the realm of the living with an air of menace? Did they have personal connections, friendships, aspirations, and ambitions? Perhaps if the White Walkers had engaged in dialogue, some of these mysteries could have been unraveled. Or perhaps they simply had nothing noteworthy to say, having exhausted all possible topics of conversation over the course of the past 8,000 years. Regardless, it remains a fact that the White Walkers possess the ability to speak in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books, yet there is a deliberate rationale for their lack of speech in the Game of Thrones series.

The White Walkers' Language Was Cut From Game Of Thrones

In A Song of Ice and Fire, the White Walkers' language, known as Skroth, is introduced early on. During the hunt for Will and the other Night's Watch brothers, their voices can be heard, described as resembling "the sound of ice cracking on a winter lake." In the first episode of Game of Thrones, titled "Winter Is Coming," this chilling opening is faithfully depicted, although the decision was made not to have the White Walkers communicate verbally. The original pilot of Game of Thrones, which was ultimately scrapped due to its perceived quality, did include the White Walkers speaking. However, it was later decided that having them speak and even providing subtitles would be too cheesy for the show's opening scene, as explained by David Peterson, the show's language creator, in an interview with Zap2it in 2015.

The decision to eliminate the White Walkers' language was a logical one. Unlike the creation of Dothraki or High Valyrian, there are no existing words that can be constructed. Instead, only sounds can be utilized. This in itself poses a challenge, especially when considering the potential need for subtitles. Furthermore, finding suitable words that would befit these enigmatic villains could have proven to be quite difficult. In a 2016 interview with Deadline, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss elaborated on this decision, stating that they perceive the Night King as a personification of Death, which is why he remains silent:

"It is fitting that he does not speak. What could Death possibly say? Any dialogue would only diminish his presence. He is simply a force of annihilation. We have never felt compelled to write lines for The Night King. Anything he uttered would be underwhelming."

The White Walkers' Speaking Could’ve Made Game Of Thrones Better

The decision for the White Walkers to remain silent in Game of Thrones is understandable, but it also represents a missed opportunity. By giving them the ability to speak, it would have demonstrated that they were a part of a complex civilization and had their own thoughts independent of the Night King's influence. Additionally, since the Night King was once human, the use of icy, cracking sounds could have bridged the gap between their past and present identities.

In a franchise that heavily relies on world-building and lore, allowing the White Walkers to speak could have added a significant amount of depth. Subtitles or a complete understanding of their language would not have been necessary, but the mere knowledge of their ability to communicate would have provided insight into their goals and desires. This revelation may not have altered the audience's reaction to Arya killing the Night King, but it would have intensified the impact and made the show's villains even more terrifying.

Sources: Zap2it, Deadline