The Hidden Clue That Made Bran Stark Destined for the Iron Throne

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Among the major mysteries spanning the course of eight seasons was the identity of who would ultimately claim the Iron Throne. Characters such as Robb Stark, Stannis Baratheon, Daenerys Targaryen, and even Jon Snow were potential contenders for the throne throughout the show’s progression. However, by the end of its final episode, the least expected character emerged victorious to conclude the series.

Throughout his journey within the “Game of Thrones” tale, it was unexpected more than any other development that he became King of Westeros. This is so unless you were privy to George R. R. Martin’s knack for drawing inspiration from real-world history and mythology to foreshadow the trials his characters would eventually face.

Bran Stark’s Name Was the Ultimate Hint

Welsh Fans Likely Figured It Out Before Anyone Else

From the very beginning of “Game of Thrones”, the notion of Bran becoming the Three-Eyed Raven had been foreshadowed. However, for Welsh speakers, this hint was given even before Bran’s dreams started. In Welsh, “Bran” means “raven”. Given his name and the early visions he had of the Three-Eyed Raven, it was almost immediately clear that Bran Stark was destined for a greater role than his initial, seemingly minor part in the story might have implied.

In Welsh folklore, the name Bran is not just casual; it’s deeply interwoven. The second branch of the Mabinogi, a compilation of medieval Welsh tales encompassing some of Britain’s oldest mythologies, has a story about a character named Bendigeidfran. Translated as “Bran the Blessed,” this giant embarks on a journey to Ireland with the goal of rescuing his sister. However, he encounters fierce battles marked by the use of sorcery against him.

After the fierce and gruesome battle led by Bendigeidfran, the Irish deployed a mystical cauldron to resurrect an army of the deceased. This detail is bound to captivate admirers of “Game of Thrones.” In season 5’s memorable episode titled “Hardhome,” this undead force was raised as a ploy to provoke Jon Snow and his wildling allies. The Night King’s army would persistently pose a problem for the heroes of “Game of Thrones” until Arya Stark, with a dragon steel dagger, fatally wounded him following Bran’s distraction, who intentionally positioned himself as bait to lure the Night King.

As a movie critic, let me share my thoughts on how ‘Game of Thrones’ masterfully pays homage to its rich mythology. The character of Bran Stark, after inheriting the abilities of the Three-Eyed Raven, serves as an embodiment of Bendigeidfran, the ancient giant whose head was buried atop a hill overlooking Britain. In a striking twist, just like Bendigeidfran’s omniscient gaze continued to watch over his land long after his soul had departed, Bran Stark’s all-seeing eyes survey Westeros from afar.

This transformation of Bran Stark is particularly significant because it underscores the stark contrast between him and his legendary Stark ancestor, Bran the Builder. While the latter was known for constructing barriers to keep giants at bay, Bran Stark’s role becomes one of unity and peacebuilding among the powerful houses of Westeros, a task that was crucial in the aftermath of the Great War.

This intriguing juxtaposition between Bran the Builder, who fortified against the North’s giants, and Bran Stark, who fosters understanding among Westeros’ remaining great houses, adds another layer to the epic narrative that eventually became ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, later adapted as ‘Game of Thrones’.

Despite the Hint In His Name, Bran’s Fate Didn’t Sit Well With Everybody

The Youngest Surviving Stark Was Not Everyone’s Ideal Pick For King

Westeros Rulers Featured in Game of Thrones Years In Charge
Robert I Baratheon 281-298 AC
Joffrey I Baratheon 298-301 AC
Tommen I Baratheon 301-303 AC
Cersei I Lannister 303-305 AC
Daenerys I Targaryen 305 AC
Brandon I Stark 305 AC – Onward

Although naming patterns in “Game of Thrones” hinted at the tales yet to unfold for many characters, this doesn’t mean the show was immune to decisions that left viewers less than thrilled. For instance, Bran Stark, who started as a young, paralyzed boy and transformed into the Three-Eyed Raven, a figure of great power, was hardly the top choice among fans for the king who would conclude the “Game of Thrones” saga. Despite Bran being capable of ruling, it felt like the show was setting up other candidates only to seemingly abandon those storylines later on.

It was particularly puzzling, given Tyrion Lannister’s stance, that Bran Stark, one of the potential candidates, received so little focus. Admittedly, Bran’s story could have been intriguing theoretically, but the reality is that viewers didn’t get to see much of it because Bran was largely absent in Season 5 of Game of Thrones. Considering how compelling his character’s tale seemed, one might expect that he wouldn’t be excluded from the series for an entire season, especially when less engaging narratives were given more screen time.

In the second half of Game of Thrones, there were problems with how Bran was portrayed, and these issues, along with his character development during the final season, were crucial in deciding to end the series with him as king. By the end of the finale, “The Iron Throne,” Bran Stark had transformed into a being who seemed more like a repository of Westeros’ history rather than the young Stark boy viewers first saw in the show’s first episode, when Jaime Lannister pushed him out a tower window. The new, much colder Bran Stark as the Three-Eyed Raven seemed to contrast sharply with what viewers had been shown earlier, making it difficult for some viewers to accept his decision to take on the most important leadership role in Westeros.

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2025-06-05 01:57