The "Arya Challenge" is officially a thing, and it's all over Twitter
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Season 8, Episode 3 of Game of Thrones, “The Battle of Winterfell.”
The Battle of Winterfell has come and gone, and Arya Stark saved the day. While many suspected that Jon Snow or even Daenerys Targaryen would be the one to defeat the Night King, Game of Thrones pulled off a major surprise: Arya Stark delivered the final blow—with the catspaw blade, no less (though the series has admittedly been dropping hints it would be her all along).
Having spent the last several seasons embarking on a journey to become a ruthless killer, the tiny assassin came in clutch at the very last minute, as the Night King prepared to kill Bran Stark, aka the Three-Eyed Raven. She leapt out of nowhere, knife at the ready. And while her attempt appeared to fall just short (the Night King grabbed her by the throat), Arya deftly dropped her blade and caught it with her other hand, perfectly positioning her to stab him in the chest—just as we’d seen her do while sparring Brienne of Tarth in Season 7.
Better than #Avengers: Arya Stark slays the Night King! #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/YHQx8B8iGx
— The Joker (@TheManWhoSmiles) April 29, 2019
Her boss move is now inspiring the #AryaChallenge, in which people attempt to drop things and catch them in their other hand.
#Aryachallenge #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/ydoJZkM9Pe
— Avi Wechsler (@AviWechsler) April 29, 2019
is the Arya Challenge a thing?#GameOfThornes pic.twitter.com/fvoMnY5TXb
— tanner olson (@tannerJolson) April 30, 2019
Nichtern says #NotToday Holy Cross😤 With his six assists today, the rookie is tied for first in Army’s single-season assists record with 45👏 #GoArmy #FamilyToughnessTradition pic.twitter.com/BBDKZWXLHK
— Army M.Lacrosse (@ArmyWP_MLax) April 30, 2019
Do #TheArya pic.twitter.com/IMLvlCnXIr
— GΔΒΥ DURΔΝ 🇩🇴 (@GBDRN) April 29, 2019
Tenía que hacerlo. :v#AryaChallenge #JuegodeTronos #juegodetronos8x03 #GameofThrones #AryaStark #KingOfTheNight pic.twitter.com/SrNAX3Dotz
— Oscar Hernández (@HacheComics) May 1, 2019
#notoday #AryaStark #AryaChallenge #AryaKillsNightKing #AryaForTheWin Happy Morning ...and what do we all say to stress “ Not Today “ #GOT pic.twitter.com/FxYA7fYc4f
— Amit K Nanchahal🦖 (@thecorpcommguy) May 2, 2019
Episode 3 spoiler without content #GameofThrones #BattleOfWinterfell#AryaChallenge pic.twitter.com/G9zi3saidZ
— Bra Quame (@Osuane) April 29, 2019
i overreacted. now my phone broke😑 #Aryachallenge #GameofThrones #AryaStark pic.twitter.com/VziZtC5giS
— eros (@rchmnds) May 1, 2019
Arya may have defeated the Night King, but according to many theories — including potentially Melisandre’s—the assassin has one more major player to kill during the final three episodes of Game of Thrones. Only time will tell on this one.