Game of Thrones went a long way in restoring Arya's humanity

Slate

It wasn't just Arya's sex scene that made her seem like a normal teenager. Her interactions on Sunday's episode with The Hound and Beric Dondarrion, both of whom had been on her kill list, were signs that she was maturing. "In other words, she regained her soul—or, if you prefer, stopped being such a know-it-all teenage sh*t, with the black-and-white ethics to match," says Inkoo Kang. "Completing the kill list at this point of her character arc, in contrast, would feel like settling permanently into arrested development." Kang adds: "That’s why Arya’s no-frills seduction of Gendry was such a welcome detour. It was the first time in a long time that we got to see her be anything resembling a normal teenager. There were signs of the Arya we knew: She took charge of the situation, asserted herself as the physically dominant partner despite her diminutive stature, at one point pushing Gendry down on a stack of hay, then telling him to take off his pants....Her development into a wizard warrior was often fun to witness, but it was also a relief to see that she’s still able to explore the other sides of herself too. After watching so many other women learn the hard way that they must toughen up, it was fascinating to see Arya learn that she can soften herself, however fumblingly, without being any less powerful."

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