Why Arya Never Used Her Faces Again After Killing Walder Frey on Game of Thrones

In Game of Thrones, after Arya Stark avenged her family by killing Walder Frey, she does not use the Faceless Men's abilities again. This decision is influenced by several factors, including personal vendetta, identity reclamation, and narrative focus.

Personal Vendetta

Arya's journey with the Faceless Men was driven by her desire for vengeance. By killing Walder Frey, she fulfilled a significant part of her revenge arc. After this pivotal moment, Arya no longer felt the need to continue using the Faceless Men's skills. The initial driving force behind her actions had largely been fulfilled, making further use of the Faceless Men's abilities redundant.

Reclaiming Identity

Throughout her training with the Faceless Men, Arya grappled with her identity and the idea of becoming someone else. This process of self-discovery was crucial for her character development. After fulfilling her revenge, Arya returned to her roots, reclaiming her true identity as Arya Stark. Her identity as a House Stark was more important than the impersonal one she had taken on with the Faceless Men.

Narrative Focus

The later seasons of Game of Thrones shifted its focus to larger battles and political intrigue. This change in narrative pacing reduced the opportunities for Arya to utilize her Faceless Men training. The series evolved towards a more straightforward, consequential storyline, emphasizing her return to Westeros and her ultimate role in the fight against the White Walkers and the Lannisters. These new priorities did not align as closely with her Faceless Men training.

Practicality

Upon returning to Westeros, Arya's immediate goals were to protect her family and reclaim her home. Her skills as a fighter and assassin became more directly applicable to these goals rather than the more abstract use of the Faceless Men's abilities. Her operative skills, honed during her time with the Faceless Men, remained useful, but they were no longer the central focus of her character arc.

Leaving Tyrion's Advice

During the Knight of the Flowers storyline, Arya went to kill Cersei. However, she ran into Gregor Clegane (The Hound), who advised her not to bother since Cersei was going to die anyway. Like The Hound, Arya had fought a hard battle with the concept of revenge, and his insight resonated with her. This realization, along with her character development, led Arya to move beyond her desire for vengeance.

She left with a sense of closure, knowing her mission of revenge was complete. Arya was content to smile and return to a more peaceful life, exploring the unknown. While she remained capable of defending herself, her focus shifted from a killing mission to one of exploration and peace.

Conclusion

Arya's training with the Faceless Men provided her with unique skills that served her well in her quest for vengeance. However, her character development, narrative priorities, and personal growth led her to no longer rely on these abilities after she killed Walder Frey. This decision reflects her evolving identity and her journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.