6 Years After Game Of Thrones Ended, The Only Character I Still Wonder About Isn’t The One I Expected

Game of Thrones changed fantasy forever, and left me still wondering about one character who outlasted the rest. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ high fantasy HBO series launched in 2011 to critical acclaim, introducing Sean Bean as Ned Stark, Richard Madden as Rob Stark, Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark. But out of every season of Game of Thrones, it is a supporting 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 supporting 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 supporting 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.

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

Game of Thrones was so character-driven that even its supporting 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 terms 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.

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.