The White Walkers are icy in every sense of the word, but a new Game of Thrones theory suggests it may not be as clear-cut as that.
After all, we know that George RR Martin doesn't like to paint his characters in black and white, making us love and hate both the heroes and the villains – we're looking at you, Jaime Lannister.
However, one Redditor suggests that previous comments from the author about how he writes his characters hint that he isn't going to let the White Walkers just be the murdering zombie overlords that we think they are.
User MrSilenceT alludes to an older interview with George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, in which Martin recalls his experience of the Vietnam War and how it made him realise things were not as explicit in terms of goodies and baddies.
Martin has said that he is "attracted to grey characters", explaining on The South Bank Show: "I think the battle of good and evil is a terrific subject for fiction.
"But I don't think it's fought between really good-looking guys in white cloaks on white horses and really ugly guys in black armour, who smell bad, as in too much fantasy.
"I think it's fought within the individual human heart. I've always been attracted to grey characters. That's what I try to write, because I think those are real characters, real human beings."
With that in mind, why would the White Walkers be any different? Martin has clearly stated he doesn't like "cardboard" characters.
The Night King has so far been portrayed as an unredeemable villain, and admittedly the fact that he is not 'human' (though previously was) could discount the theory.
However, there have been hints of free will and particular motivations within the White Walkers, as well as sparing human lives (ie Craster).
Could Martin be setting us up for a twist at the story draws to a close? Perhaps Jon Snow and the so-called heroes may not be as heroic come the end – which, let's face it, would be very Game of Thrones.
The Redditor also cites previous battles as a prime example of us sympathising with both sides, saying: "It's a point of view that is easy to grasp when you look at fights such as the Battle of the Wall between the Men of the Watch and Mance Rayder's wildling army.
"Our heroes, Jon, Sam & Co. need to protect Westeros and their lands from Northern invaders while the ever likeable and charismatic Mance needs to fight the Night's watch in order to go south or all wildlings will die by the hands of the Whitewalkers. Hard to root for any specific side in a battle between these too, isn't it?"
Perhaps a final showdown with the White Walkers will follow that format. It would be fitting given the writer's ethos, after all.
Either way, all will be revealed when Game of Thrones returns in 2019.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
