- "We need to teach 'em a lesson about they way we deal with their kind! Three dozen bodies with slit throats tossed off the top of the Wall! Seems like that'd be a good lesson!"
- ―Othell Yarwyck
Othell Yarwyck is a recurring character in the first and fourth seasons. He is played by guest star Dennis McKeever in Season 1 and by Brian Fortune in Season 4[1]. He debuts in "You Win or You Die." Othell Yarwyck is the First Builder; a senior position within the Night's Watch.
Biography
Background
Othell Yarwyck is First Builder of the Night's Watch and a member of House Yarwyck, a noble house of the Westerlands sworn to Casterly Rock. He is based at Castle Black and is tasked with organizing the builders in maintaining the Wall and the castles belonging to the Watch.
Season 1
Othell Yarwyck is present for the induction of the new recruits at Castle Black. He calls for the builders after the Lord Commander's speech. He accompanies Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly into the Haunted Forest to witness them saying their oaths of loyalty to the Watch in front of a heart tree. He is among the first to congratulate them on entering the Watch, and is also present when Ghost returns with a corpse's hand in his mouth.[2] The party discover the corpses of Othor and Jafer Flowers and return them to Castle Black. He confirms Sam's discovery that the corpses do not smell, which is odd since they appear to have been dead for weeks.[3]
Season 4
Othell Yarwyck is one of the five black brothers to "judge" Jon Snow for his actions during his time with the wildlings. After Maester Aemon dimisses Jon, Yarwyck helps Aemon to his feet and to leave the hall.[4]
A young boy, Olly, arrives at Castle Black and tells the Night's Watch how a wildling raiding party massacred his village. Othell angrily proposes that they should send a message to the Wildlings by killing the raiders and throwing their bodies off the top of the Wall. Many black brothers agree with him, but Ser Alliser Thorne argues that striking back is exactly what the wildlings want.[5]
Othell is present when Jon Snow proposes to seal Castle Black's tunnel due to the imminent attack by Mance Rayder's army. Alliser Thorne reminds Jon that the builders are responsible for maintaining the tunnel, and not the stewards. Alliser asks for Othell's opinion on Jon's proposal to seal the tunnel. Othell reluctantly sides with Alliser.[6]
Appearances
Template:Season One Appearances Template:Season Four Appearances * Uncredited appearances
Behind the scenes
Othell Yarwyck, as portrayed by Dennis McKeever in the first season.
Yarwyck was portrayed by Dennis McKeever in Season 1. McKeever reappeared in Seasons 2 and 3 in a background role in the Great Ranging storyline. Yarwyck's reapperance at the Wall in Season 4 implies that McKeever was portraying a different character in Seasons 2 and 3. This explanation is in keeping with the books, where Yarwyck doesn't partake in the Great Ranging.
Yarwyck is portrayed by Brian Fortune in Season 4. Fortune himself previously played the role of Bowen Marsh in Season 1. The reason for this sudden change has not yet been explained; or if the characters themselves have been merged.
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Yarwyck is also present for the induction of the recruits and has the same single word line. He is not present when Jon Snow is taken before Alliser Thorne and Janos Slynt.
See also
Othell Yarwyck on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (spoilers from the books)
References
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