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game of thrones - Are the Night's Watch still required?


In the TV series Game of Thrones, now that as of Season 8 Episode 3, "The Long Night", the



Night King is defeated and the White Walkers and their wights are dead along with anyone (presumably) who was behind the Wall prior to season 8,



are the Night's Watch still required?



Answer




Well no, but actually yes.


After Battle of the Dawn when the Others were defeated the first time, the Order retained its structure. They won but they didn't know if the threat was truly gone so they remained on their posts, defending the realms of Men against Night's King (The real one, not Darth Maul on Ice) and Wildlings. With time, they lost sense of their true purpose and many believed they were just meant to fight the Wildlings.


Now in the showverse, it seems the Long Night is over after stretching shockingly for almost one whole night. But that doesn't mean that the Watch has lost its usefulness. Here's why:



  1. Night's Watch provides a chance for redemption to criminals. For example Brynden Rivers, Ulmer of Kingswood, Olyver Bracken etc. At th every least, it keeps dangerous criminals out of the society.

  2. It provides a home to misfits like younger sons, bastards, orphans and starving who belong nowhere. For example Waymar Royce, Jon Snow, Lommy Greenhands, Hotpie etc.

  3. It provides a way for the nobles to get rid of rival claimants in a way softer than execution and more permanent than exile. For example Yorick V Yronwood, Eddard Stark etc.

  4. The hope of being allowed to take the black leads to swifter surrender of people with a losing cause. For example both Aegon II and Theon Greyjoy became very hopeful when their Maesters counselled them to join the Watch as their enemies approached. It's another story that both of them decided not to given that they didn't trust their enemies (Or in Theon's case, brothers on the Wall).

  5. It provides a chance to the lowborn and bastards to rise high in the world. For example Cotter Pyke, Satin and Jon Snow.

  6. On the off-chance that the others might rise again, the Watch needs to be there to fight it again, wake the sleepers and defend the realms of men.



Also read: Why do people join the Night's Watch?


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