This “Game of Thrones” theory about Bran and the Mad King makes so much sense
We’ve been loving Game of Thrones‘ Season 6’s emerging pattern of flashbacks with Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven, and last night’s episode, “Oathbreakers,” was no exception.
Having already met a young Lyanna Stark, future daughter-in-law (kind of) of Mad King Aerys Targaryen, a young Hodor, and baby Ned Stark, we were introduced last night to a slightly more grown-up version of Ned, this time accompanied by Howland Reed, father of Jojen and Meera.
Following a beautifully choreographed sword fight between Ned, Howland, and Arthur Dayne, aka the Sword of the Morning and guard of Lyanna Stark’s tower, Bran insists on learning more of the story. He shouts for his father — and his father hears him. Kind of. He hears something, we know that much.
Since the television series has now surpassed the literary canon, we’re all in the dark together — and the unknown has been breeding a pretty juicy set of fan theories about everything from characters who may or may not seem who they are, Hodor’s mind (or lack thereof). With the revelation that Bran has the capability to communicate with the people in his visions, redditor u/NegativeKarmaSniifer has presented the possibility that Bran is perhaps to blame for the Mad King’s madness, which has previously been presented as “hearing voices.”
“Bran realizes that others can hear him during the visions from the past, but doesn’t understand that they cannot fully understand him,” posits U/NegativeKarmaSniifer.
“He attempts to reason with King Aerys when shown a vision of him. The King only hears whispers, and is driven mad by it.”
Even worse? “Mad King Aerys burns Bran’s grandfather alive while Bran frantically tries to stop him. All he hears is whispers. Bran sets the events of the show in motion.”
Bran already set everything in motion in Season 1, Episode 1 when he climbed the tower Jamie and Cersei were in, so would it be THAT shocking to learn Bran was the reason behind King Aerys’ madness? And basically the whole great war over the Iron Throne?
YIKES, Bran.
