Game Of Thrones: Ned Stark’s "Winter Is Coming" Quote, Explained

The cold opening of the Game of Thrones pilot episode shows three rangers about to embark on a ranging expedition to investigate the Wildling movement in the Haunted Forest. Things begin to go haywire, starting with Will the scout spotting mutilated corpses of Wildlings arranged strangely. Ser Waymar Royce, who commands this ranging beyond the Wall, ascribes the abnormal pattern to Wildlings’ habits (a derogatory term for the Free Folk who are situated beyond the Wall). The third ranger, Gared suggests they should head back to the Wall, but Waymar wants to keep going. Shortly after, the arrogant Waymar is killed by a White Walker, and a few frightful scenes later, Will is the only one who makes it out alive.