I was thinking about Season 5 “murder cheerleader” Martin Blackwood today, and I want to talk about it because I think it’s a really interesting aspect of his character that can basically be summed up by what Anabelle Cane tells him in “The Worms”.

“He’s (Jon’s) more powerful here than he’s ever been, isn’t he? And you’re not sure what that means for you. Does he even need you at all?”

Jon is powerful in the apocalypse. So powerful, that he doesn’t need Martin to make it to London from a physical standpoint. He can just waltz through the fears, smiting all the way, and I think that’s why Martin leans so far into their revenge quest that he even pushes it when Jon starts to get cold feet.

Because from his standpoint: By encouraging the smiting he’s showing Jon, and himself, that he can be powerful too. He can be someone with a strong resolve who Jon needs to complete his quest. And when Jon starts to push back from it, it feel’s like a rejection of the one thing Martin think’s he’s good for.

What he doesn’t realize is that Jon’s revenge quest has nothing to do with him because Jon isn’t doubting Martin’s place by his side. While Jon could technically get through the apocalypse unscathed, he needs an anchor. He needs a reason to get up and keep going, and like he tells Martin in “Curiosity,” Martin is that reason. It doesn’t matter to Jon if he’s strong, or powerful, or useful. Jon just need’s someone that will tie him to his humanity.

And Martin does that without even trying.