GrayArea I like the idea of the holy people being manipulated by supernatural forces that exist within our plane (not some "Lord of Light" or "Seven"). Check out Wisecrack's "Can Game of Thrones Still Surprise Us?" Super awesome look at their writing style and how the tropes and plots have been fulfilled. Personally, I still have my money on the Iron Bank manipulating events indirectly as a punishment for inability to pay debts.
Why would the night king/great other wait for dany to wake her dragons and start his master plan? Why not doing it when Aegon invaded Westeros with his 3 dragons?
I’ve always had reservations about the prophecy of Azor Ahai for the very reason you mentioned: Melisandre. And I think it’s interesting that you mention Ser Davos as possessing traits of a hero because he despises Melisandre. As you pointed out, Davos said: “If your lord commands you to burn little children alive, your lord is evil.” And I know everyone believes the Red Priestess is the one responsible for Jon’s “resurrection.” But I contend that it was actually Davos’ faith that brought him back. He was the last one in the room, and he was the only who believed Jon’s purpose wasn’t finished and took the necessary steps to bring him back. The man who, throughout the whole story (show & books), and who had nothing but disdain for religion, demonstrated the most faith. Davos even had to convince Melisandre to “try.” It is Davos who convinces Jon to keep fighting. And he is now Jon’s Hand. In short, I think your Theory is very feasible. Everything about it, like the trap set to capture a dragon. What if the whole “prophecy” bit was a ruse all along-a tool used by the Night King? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Excellent video, as usual, Gray! You’ve become one of my all-time faves!!! 👏👏👏
If this is true then since the first "dream" of "Daenys the Dreamer" the Night King has been manipulating events... or even before. I think it is fair to say that the Night King is not "making" events happen but nudging them to go in a certain direction. *If the Night King is Azor Ahai then who is the Many-Faced God?* Are the Faceless men the opposite equivalent of the Red Priest? I have said this a hundred time to anyone who will listen that the final outcome was shown in the first episode of the first season: *"BRAN MISSES THE TARGET"* In one of your earlier vids, you mentioned that Bran was crippled so that he could not go to Kingslanding and become a knight... but who did go? *ARYA!!!* She goes and becomes a "Faceless Knight". Arya arrives to meet Robert wearing a warriors helmet, she then pushes Bran out of line and takes his place. I don't think you can get more literal than that. *HOWEVER* ...there have been two parallel adventures happening at the same time and it was not Jon and Danearys but Bran and Arya. - They both were hidden away one in a tree trunk and the other in a windowless building... edifices surrounded by magic. - Both were being trained but neither knew what they were being trained for. - Now they are both in Winterfell ***Just had a flash --- I think the reason, Arya was trained to become a Faceless man is so that her whereabouts can go undetected by the Night King. Bran saw Arya at the crossroads... but he never said he saw the rest of her life when she was behind the Black and White Doors. Did he see her kill the Freys? He seemed startled when he handed her the knife.*** The problem is that the North doesn't remember crap. There is a reason why the first thing that Bran the builder builds is the crypts and that is to keep his family's info off of the weirwood network. Even Ned buries Lyanna in the crypts to keep Jon's whereabouts unknown. There is still something in the crypts that the Night King needs to know or obtain. I think it is in the caved-in bit. Throughout the books, there are so many people wanting to get into the crypts. Didn't Bran try to get Hodor to go into the crypts while being "possessed" and he wouldn't go in? It is almost like the wights not being able to cross into the Bloodravens cave or the Wall. But Hodor did go into the cave when he was himself and not possessed by Bran....hmmmm So these dreams that Jon keeps having of going into the crypts... JON DON'T DO IT!!! All this to say I think it will be Arya who will pop up out of the blue and hit the bullseye like she did in S.1-E.1. Last question: Who resurrected Jon?
In the books Jon still lays in a pool of blood, it never said he died, I don't think he died in the books GRRM is not shy on killing , Jon last words are Ghost. I believe Bran pulled himinto Ghost to spare him the pain. When Jon was attacked he was close to Wun Wun and Val so although he was stab four or five times they would have gotten to Jon before a killing blow.
Q&A: What about the direwolves, who sent them? Are they Friend or Foe? I'm just thinking how the direwolves didn't like Tyrion. Depending on who sent them will tell us a lot.
Wow, this all makes sense to me. Especially when you talked about the Night King setting up Jon and those guys to take Viserion. Wow, my mind is blown lol
Sure. It is possible. However i do think that the NK knew that Dany would come with her dragons. It would be an interesting twist if it turns out to be true.
It was the same chain Tyrion had be forged for the battle of the Blackwater. He's been working with NK the entire time. Dismiss the talks of the Others as fairytales akin to grumpkins and snarks; ignore Ser Allister when he was Hand of the King? Nice try, Tyrion.
I never liked the story of Azor Ahai and Nissa-Nissa. Any man that would take the life of an alleged love for more power is no hero in my book. I also felt it was odd that this story of a Westerosi hero came from some Essos folklore. Needless to say, I totally agree with you. This prophecy is merely a ruse created by the great GRRM. Thanks for everything you do to make this long night bearable! Keep up the great work, Gray!
Scripts, Clips, Series & Flicks when Mel influences Stannis to kill both his brother and his daughter that sealed it for me. She is serving an evil God.
The Azor Ahai legend: Tempered with water - ICE, winter. Tempered with a Lion - Tywin splits Ice in two. Tempered with Nissa Nissa - Jamie and Breanne ♡ In the show, Jamie is headed to the other sword that Breanne has... his Dream with her and both holding a flaming sword each helped me to this idea.
*MAJOR TIN FOIL but hear me out: I think I figured out the ending* (For the show at least) I think Arya will be the real champion, no prophecies or dreams just cold facts. HOWEVER, Jon is as important otherwise Ned would not have made sure he was kept behind magical walls all of his life in Winterfell and The Wall. The Night King has been trying to get to Jon - Because he has seen in the future that Jon is supposed to kill him (hold this thought)... this is why he has returned at this moment because Jon was born. Arya has been trained for this very moment by the Faceless Men, so what are the skills she acquired? S1-E.1 showed us exactly how it all goes down, Ayra pops out of nowhere and hits the bullseye. No one saw her coming or knew she was that accurate. What was she taught: - To fight in darkness - To become the FULL EMBODIMENT of another person living or dead - To have unquestioning loyalty to her family. (Well, Jon at least. She kept Needle during her entire journey.) I think that *Arya is UNIQUELY skilled to kill the Night King:* - He brings the darkness - She can fight blind - He sees everyone - She can be literally *"Faceless"* - He brings the cold - Hmmm.... if only she could change into somebody unaffected by cold, someone who could stay submerged in an icy lake and come out with soaking wet clothes and then ride a horse for hours... Someone who had to have his icy clothes broken off from his body. Hmmm... if only she knew someone like that she could change into... She wouldn't even have to kill him first since we saw Ja'qen Hagar change into her face while she was standing there. Gosh, it is a quandary.
Remember we saw catspaw in the book Sam was reading at The Citadel. And then Bran gave it to Arya. Maybe he gave it to her because he knows she will kill the NK?
at 6:58 into the video, you're talking about the trap layed by NK (for the Hound/ Beric) not through the weirwoods, not through dreams--- but through the flames.... my instant first thought was the Ironwoods. I once posted a comment on the parallels/ binary opposites, between "Great other"/ weirwoods/ ice/ the past/ death/ etc... and. "R'hllor"/ Ironwoods/ fire/ the future/ Life/ etc.... ....... so if the weirwoods grant access to ice magic, the past, etc. .... then I submit there must be a parallel that grants access to the opposite: like the future in the flames. a completely opposing type of magic. The religiously sought-after balance that frames the beliefs if the house of black and white is literally embodied in its doors: the white wood of the weirwoids, and the black wood of the Ironwoods. The character who could enter the "Net" of both weirwoods AND Ironwoods, would truly embody "the song of ice and fire"
Girl I was waiting for the Bloodstone Emperor to show up! But other than sending out random messages I don’t think the NK could get clear intel until he touched Bran. Then when Bran went south that link went with him. The TV show does a lot of elements of the book really subtlety. Check this after Bran’s ranging with the crows and NK catches him. You don’t see Bran at the tree anymore. He’s in his room at the fire. Dani and the dragons may be the catalyst but I see Jon as the foil. Harking back to your prologue piece. Oh and yes the parallel with Stannis and Renly was genius because Renly was the stronger of the two. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾🔥🔥
Capthegoat It always seemed strange that something all the way on the other side of the world is connected to the long night. It also strange how the history of the world starts with the Empire of the Dawn and their last Emporer. I feel like there is a lot left out from the origin of the world that would explain a lot.
Nice theory loved it 😄👌 also maybe NK resurrected Jon but I think this will be his big mistake..I mean NK don't know anything about JON Identity, also when Bran came south beyond the wall, NK lost the connection with him, so there is no chance NK know anything about Jon identity 🤔 Maybe Jon is not azora ahai or Prince promised but there is something about him, Three eye raven wanted Bran to know Jon Identity and also now Bran think Jon should know his Identity soon 😅
Those are my ppl too I listen to all of them. Have you ever listened to Order of the Green Hand's channel? They did a series on Doran Martell and the Dornish that I strongly disagree with. They depicted them as savages while I see them as more heroic for standing up to the dragons. Whats your take on them?
Q B never made it thru one of their vids. I don't mind theories that I don't agree with. I don't really buy this theory from Grey but at least it makes sense. Green hand and Preston Jacobs be on some bullshit. Lol. Nerd Soup do pretty good vids but from a more casual perspective. U may not like them if u like a more in-depth breakdown
You make the videos that make the most sense. Most of the popular game of thrones people are just speculating. You’re the only one that provides thorough evidence. Thank you for what you do!
I just realized something... *Jon has been behind magical fortresses his entire life.* What if the real reason Ned brought Jon to Winterfell was to keep him behind its magical walls. No-one brings a bastard child to his wife, so his cover story doesn't even stand up to scrutiny. From Winterfell's magical fortress, Jon goes to The Wall yet another magical fortress. Perhaps this is why Ned lets Jon go, he was going to Kingslanding and he could not be sure that Catelyn would keep Jon at Winterfell. At least taking the Black, Jon would be bound to the protective magic of The Wall. As for the Tower of Joy: It never happened... at least not how it was depicted. Again the only retelling of it is in Ned's "fevered dream" *FAKE NEWS* At least in the show, that scene does not add up. There was someone sleeping next to Lyanna that had been stabbed in the back and his throat cut. It is very clear, the body print is clearly visible. I think someone tried to steal Jon and cut him out of her... (I'll just leave that there... but check this scene again as though this was NCIS and not GOT :-)
Love your hard work, I just can’t get on board with the Night King being Azor Ahai. I do think Westeros is completely screwed just for another reason entirely. I believe there is a reoccurring destruction of the world and this is why we have over 12,000 years of history yet they seem to be stuck in the Middle Ages. I think it’s like the 5 different suns thing with Aztec mythology and the destruction and rebirth of the world.
I think it might have been a podcast between you TT and Ideas of Ice and Fire or maybe it was you LML and Quinn when you had the early stages of this theory and I was like yeah mama has got something!
Honey K no lie I started to get creep out the more I researched... it’s like if everyone tries to convince Jon he is AA and he actually kills Danny, than the night king has exactly what he wants
You are so right. This video reminds me of the vampire diaries when the originals guest starred. Elijah told the Salvatore brothers tha The sun and moon curse was planted/made up by him and Klaus(the person who was actually cursed) so others could do the work for them ultimately leading Klaus to what he needed.
I really like this theory! We already know that the Whites can be affected by fire, but the Knight King can control it! He was able to walk through the flames when Bran and Meera were making their escape (think that’s the scene I’m thinking of).
George knows writing tactics better than most. He knows the hero and synthesis writing motifs. Gray my girl, you're asking the Questions he wants the clever to ask. The Hero is Often the Villian. Or the stories and books would tell so, as they are continually changed. The real HEROS as you said, never get recognition or titles or crowns. They get bowls of brown. And Love. ✊🏻🍻 I Agree with you m'Lady. George has set a trap much like the NK. That lake had only one type of fish in it at the gods eye, Red Herring! Much Love Girl, you're a Hero just like Davos, Shereeen, Hotpie, Arya, Nymeria, Jojen, Meera, the hound, Renly, the queen of thorns, etc..
I have thought he was for the longest. And don't forget he communicated with varys. " The flames turned blue and a voice cried out to me" He played all of them!
It makes so much sense!! The night king knows how people get obsessed with prophecy and fulfillment. He knows that they will think their quest is the noble one
Convinced me to sub after all this time with _this theory_ Grey. I'm not one to sub easily to GoT channels, but this was an amazingly well thought out series and I really applaud you for it. Brilliant! I agree wholeheartedly with you.
I do think R'lorh is a false religion.The NK may be the Prince who was Promised, and Dany, Azor Ahai, Jon the Last Hero. People assume these are the same character - but they may be 3 distinct persons. Much of this actually makes sense in GRRM land. The Children, and the NK/Walkers have skin that looks like Tree Bark. (In shape, not color or texture.) What if the Walkers/NK are tree/human hybrids. We have Trees with human faces that bleed, Blood Raven woven into/fused with a tree's roots, the Children going into the Trees when they die. What if the Undead are another form of hybrid? Dany's Dragons - once hatched are the only force that can wipe out both the Trees and the Walkers. The NK may be bringing a Dragon to burn the Isle of faces, killing the Heart of the Weir Wood Network. Perhaps his human side is looking to finally get free of the curse. The Walkers and Wights can be destroyed by special steel, and by fire similar to trees. Leaf said they created the Walkers because humans were cutting down their sacred trees, as well as killing the Children. My thought is - the Great Other may be the Weir Wood Network fighting Rh'lor the false - fire worshiping religion that could destroy it. The NK may be coming to use Dragons to burn the Isle of Faces in the Gods Eye. The circle with a circle symbol is the God's Eye, the spirals are the Weir Wood Net. Or maybe I am missing something that makes this all nonsense.
Yes Michelle M. Palaris - Leaf could have meant Bran, or the human greenseers, including Blood Raven, and whomever was before him. The scene leaves us unclear if she was seeing the vision with Bran - and if what Bran saw was creating just the Night King, or the Walkers - was that the same thing - or was the NK created separately later? (It is my thought the NK was made later to control the Walkers. Bran saw that, Leaf thought he was seeing the original creation).
I think this is a brilliant theory! Amazing thought provoking video here Gray. I loved that you even thought of the fact that Mel’s power gets stronger near the wall. Whether she realizes it or not I always thought her religion was evil and she too. Mel seems to really believe in what she does. Still it’s very hard to see burning people alive as anything but the worst evil. This theory has me listening again.
Gray Area I think that your theories, on this subject, are so unique and original, just awesome!!! I hope your right, I would love to see a flip of heros and villains.
Rosalie Lewis they wouldn't need to swim, just sink to the bottom with the chains and latch them on. Besides, a Dragon is definitely worth losing a few zombie soldiers, so he's not making unnecessary sacrifice.
Great theory Gray !! I think it makes perfect sense and would be a bittersweet ending. I think there might be a few bits of foreshadowing about this in the series. Like when Davos yelled at Mel about burning Shireen and he says something like if ur lord commands you to burn little girls then ur lord is evil. Then she's like " The lord brought back Jon snow. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for him." And then we see Jon with a slight bewildered look. Maybe that's one instance of foreshadowing to make us think in that moment what we'll forget in the end...
You know, we never saw the Nights Queen (if she even exists), do you think he already forged lightbringer and she's dead or will she make an appearance?
Muhatasim Alam She was probably the first Nissa Nissa.. Whatever he did to her made her into the “Night Queen” plunged his sword Thru her heart.. and boom she was what he is now
GrayArea Will the new Nissa Nissa likewise get a sword through the heart as the second Lightbringer is forged? (She did say something about her last scene leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouths...)
Very interesting, a lot of it makes sense. George always said a villain is the hero of the other side. It may happen in the books not in the show though. Love that you picked Davos as the ultimate hero.
I really enjoy this idea. I'm not sure how I'd feel if I read it in the books, but I like how it seems absolutely plausible. Good job thinking outside the box on this one! Keep up the good work! Love your videos.
Just when I think I have an idea of what's going on, you or talking thrones put something out there that changes everything. Thank you for the videos. Keep them coming 😁
Love these theories youre killing it!! I dunno if its just me it seem that the NK never seems to go for Jon even though hes had plenty of times (in the show) he seemed to pause when jon wasnt on the dragon before he went for the second spear for drogon. Just me?? Would to love to hear wjat you think about NK's opinion of Jon xx
Me: *has final exams* *just got brain raped by math exam and tomorrow is chemistry* *also has biology and Spanish the following week* Also me: yeah sure I'll watch Grey area's game of thrones theory
I think i believe Bran is actually Azor Ahai or the Prince that was Promised, if you look at what Dany sees outside of Mirri Maz Dur’s tent in the books, she sees a great wolf and a man on fire (Bran and Bloodraven), the next day she can feel the dragons in the eggs, so it was Dany who hatched the dragons but maybe it’s Bran and Bloodraven who actually woke them? Bran could’ve been reborn amidst salt and smoke when the Greyjoys (salt) burned Winterfell down (smoke) where he began his hero’s quest... and Bran is the only character associated with time travel, so if anyone could be literally “reborn” (considering he already existed in the past), it would be Bran
I wrote this comment on another channell. The Night King uses the flames to talk to the followers of Rh'llor. The Hound told his brother don't worry I'm not coming for you, you already know who is. Meaning they saw something when they were kids and mountain mutton chopped his brothers face. When Thoros gets the Hound to finally look into the flames what does he see? The army of the dead marching and the arrow head mountain. So then they go there right into his trap and Daenerys looses a dragon. In Mereen the priestess scares Varys by asking him does he remember what he saw and the voice you heard when you were cut. Varys again with Melissandre on the cliff when Jon arrives to Dragonstone saying she's going to Volantis and shall return scaring him by saying don't you remember we both must die in this foreign land. There's more from the books but I have to reread them before I quote something.
This is the first time I'm glad S8 won't be out till next yr. Poof, you have blown my mind, girl. I have to go back and watch the shows, I'm currently in book 2. I don't like the idea of the NK manipulating everyone. You have some good connections. I do believe the NK is manipulating Bran, since touching him in the weirnet. If the NK is controlling the game, then what about Jon? Why bring Jon back? If your theory, which is amazing, has merit, then why is Jon alive? Great video.
I think the answer is simple. The NK was looking into the future and saw that scene where Dany shows up with her dragons and he manages to take one of them down. But he also saw that Jon was there, and so possibly he revived Jon because Jon is the only reason the NK is able to get a dragon in the first place. If Jon and his team hadn't ventured beyond the wall to capture a wight, then the NK would never get his dragon (or he would but he would have to do something else and it would possibly take a lot longer).
Dope video lady grey never thought of the night King creating that religion to set the whole thing in motion for the destruction of the wall keep up the great vids
Hi grey area I like your interpretations. I guess your theory makes sense... Melisandra always says that all she sees is snow in flames and night king is synonymous to snow...
Great vid. I'm a believer in the bran is the night King theory. Not that he's the night King but either living a second skin life in the night King or got stuck after worging into the night King in a vision. If Bran gets stuck after season 7 than he will have all the knowledge that the others need to accomplish what you've proposed. I think the night King is against the children and the wierwoods. They did condemn him to thousands of years in the frozen north. And since there are no wierwoods in Essos, I don't think that the children's powers extend there.
It makes so much sense. I always wonder why Azor Ahai story was so detailed and somehow serve as both history and future instructions. I mean even if AA reborn is a real prophecy (not make believes), and gives instructions to follow -- why would the steps have to be exactly same as history. Either the world happen to be a timeloop (also possible since there is time travel) -- someone went to the future saw AA saved the world and wrote the story into a (history) book Or the prophecy is just a make believe that never actually happened before. If the 2nd is true, AA never happened before. Children and the man defeated the white walkers or just built a wall stopped them...
He did but he did it after he killed Viserion. The body was already in the lake so it was protected from the fire issue. He didn't need 2 dragons, so maybe he tried to kill Drogon just to weaken Dany rather than wanting him for himself.
That also proves he can't see everything with perfect accuracy. Which further strengthens the idea that he would need to constantly manipulate events by sending visions in the flames; to course correct for any deviations he wasn't able to foresee.
Maybe he missed it for reason. He just wanted to scare them to make them flee. If he sees the future he could see if he will miss. Or where to aim to will be a miss.
@GreyArea I think you should make a video about why we were introduced to a very likeable and famous actor during Brans visit to the tower of joy with the Three Eyed Raven. It's curious to me why we would get to see that BESIDES learning Jon's real name and parents. You don't name your child a Targaryen name if it was rape. I love listening to you talk about GoT, I think you're very intelligent and offer alot of realistic possibilities. Keep up the entertaining videos! And remember...Winter is here.
I like that u gave a good reason for night king throwing spear at viseryon - other RU-vidrs just arrogantly make fun of the show saying it was stupid of the night king to go for viseryon not drogon :-)
DAMN!!!girl your good you got me on this one mind blown ×3 love yo shit grey .I am truly in tha grey area. At this moment thank you for that one my sweet mamma.
Arbor Gold? LoL! WoW! Ms. Gray, you've outdone yourself. I've been telling my daughter the NK has been sending/controlling the green dreams/visions (show only). I first was introduced to GoT 1997 on bed rest whilst pregnant with aforementioned (first) child. It's SO crazy to be watching this with her! Back when this was trilogy never, ever did anyone think it could be done on screen. Maybe tis why I'm more forgiving once I got over the out right butchered version (can you imagine the big screen?) My daughter now comes in to peek when I'm watching you...coz you're that damned good! What astounding insight of both book and show. Something about peeps that read first (no offense to anyone) they seem to have a more intrinsic understanding of the story. I was pissed no Griff/young Griff? Quaithe, Lady Barbrey? I was banking on some plot lines. I hope I haven't wasted 20+ years! LoL! The books were kinda tough, I wasn't used to his style and so much to keep up with. I'd have to stop, try again, remember this/that...I hope it pays off, now my youngest grads HS in a month! I get pissy when new books that aren't the last 2 keep coming out. It got hella franchisey (cha-ching) some of us have been waiting. I began them around age 22....I'm 45! I feel like I deserve answers, dammit! LOL! Love and Peace from NJ, lil momma!
I've started watching GOT from the start, back to back, and I have got a few theories of my own. I will try to keep this as short as possible. If you agree could you please give me a mention in your next video. 1. The comet - There is 2 theories for the comet. Osha said the comet was a sign that there was now dragons, and the other was the coming of Azor Ahai and we didn't see The Night king until after that point, so you only confirmed what i am thinking. The comet is red, Rhaegal has red wings, and ghost is the only direwolf with red eyes. Is there a connection? Could Rhaegal be Azor Ahai? 2. 3 heads of the dragon - In s2 the dragons get wild and uncontrolable, until Rhaegal gets a sniff of Tyrion and they calm down. By the time Rhaegal gets a sniff of John snow they seem to be tamed. They may need 3 Targaryen's to keep control, but not necessarily all riders. We all know the Tyrion could be a Targaryen Theory. 3. Did The Mountain really kill Rhaenys Targaryen, the daughter of Rhaegar and Elia Martell. Brienne of Tarth has bright blonde hair... Could she be Rhaenys Targaryen. The Mountain can't exactly answer that question now. Does anybody agree?
Azor Ahai reborn = Prince who was Promised = Song of Ice and Fire. So... who has the power of both? THE NIGHT KING! He makes weapons of Ice, walks through fire, and was created with dragonglass, i.e. frozen fire! But how is he "reborn", where did he get these powers, and who are his parents that he would be a "prince"? And isn't he supposed to come from the line of Arys and Rhaella? He does! Or rather... He will. The Night King is the third head of the dragon; He is the unborn child of Jon and Dany, but this wasn't always the case. However, once this comes to pass, it will always have been so, just as was the case with Bran and Hodor. The NK is the TRUE last greenseer, and the most powerful one who was never born. He is the Great Other and the Lord of Light. He has come from a future he has been seeking to alter, and has traveled through time in the wierwoods to orchestrate the current course of events. But he altered the timeline so much that his mind/spirit became trapped in the weirwood net, like a warg who dies while skinchanging. To escape his timeless prison, he has been sending visions and guiding bloodlines, choosing his own lineage by which to produce a host child for himself to inhabit. In the meantime he has traveled to the past to skinchange the first White Walker, just like Craster's sons are inhabited by the souls of other greenseers, Children of the Forest who were also trapped in the weirwoods. The souls of those who were not greenseers can only occupy corpses, and even then only with the help of a nearby White Walker, to act as a sort of WiFi hotspot. Like a dog on a leash, the wights are being "walked" by the Others. This is why killing a "White Walker" will release the corpses from their control; the link to and from the weirwood net is severed. It's just as described in Ned's Tower of Joy fever dream... winter roses, blue as the eyes of death. Those with such blue eyes have died and entered the weirwoods. Just as the living can only skinchange into the living, only the dead can warg the dead So what is the Night King's plan? To save everyone from the future he was trying to escape in the first place. Something far worse than the Doom of Valyria is coming, and unlike the warning the NK sent to Daenys the Dreamer to flee Valyria, no amount of visions in the flames or warnings in green dreams will stop this. The NK is trying to save everyone the only way he can... by killing them and bringing them into the weirwoods! Otherwise when they die, they will be lost forever. Just as Benerro mistakenly said about Dany, "She is Azor Ahai returned … and her triumph over darkness will bring a summer that will never end … death itself will bend its knee, and all those who die fighting in her cause shall be reborn …" All men must die, and all men must serve, because what is dead may never die!
