When you hear the words Game of Thrones, there are certainly a few major characters that will immediately come to mind. Daenerys Targaryen. Jon Snow. Cersei Lannister. Tyrion Lannister. While those characters are all extremely important to HBO’s most popular show, there is another character whom you can argue is the most important of them all. His name is Bran Stark.
Now, I know what is probably going through your head right now. This is the Bran Stark that has not been able to walk since the first episode of the series. The same Bran Stark that was missing for an entire season a few years back. Yes, even the Bran Stark that showed up to Winterfell and creepily told Sansa he was sorry she was raped by Ramsey on their wedding night in the most creepy way possible a week ago.
But it is that last point that actually proves how valuable the Stark boy is to Game of Thrones moving forward. As he told Sansa, he has no desire to sit on any throne. That is because he is the Three Eyed Raven. And that means he can see everything. The past, the present and the future.
So yes, Daenerys has three dragons. Those dragons she can ride into battle and destroy any given opponent. And yes, Jon Snow is going to lead the battle against the White Walkers. But as cool as all of that is, neither of those characters knows whats coming next!
But let’s start with his ability to see the past. Last season, Bran’s ability to “go back in time” in a sense has already proven its worth. It was through these scenes that we learned of Jon’s true parentage. As a result, Bran is the only one who knows Jon is a Targaryen. So needless to say, the next time the “brothers” meet, Bran is likely to drop that bombshell that Dany is really Jon’s Aunt.
That’s a pretty big deal since it would allow Jon to hop on a dragon and go for a ride. That may come in handy against those pesky White Walkers.
Now, as for the present, it is more about him being able to see what happens to everyone at any given moment. How else would he know about what Ramsey did to Sansa? He could also tell you exactly how the meeting between Dany and Jon went a week ago. And let’s not forget, he knows how Ed Sheeran ended up in the woods.
Now the important part. The future.
The main theory is that the elder Three Eyed Raven that we met a season ago, was actually an older version of Bran. The dude was basically stuck in a tree (worth noting since he never walked, since Bran can’t), and taught the younger Bran everything he knows.
We also know time travel is a thing in the world of Game of Thrones thanks to the Three Eyed Raven. Look no further than the example of poor Hodor. Hodor got his name by holding a door closed. But it was the younger version of himself that felt this impact, uttering the words “Hold the door”, until it was nothing more than the phrase “Hodor”.
So if Bran can see the future, that means he knows everything that is going to happen. Many are speculating that he was so weird with Sansa a week ago because he knows she is going to betray Jon. While that may or may not be true, it is certainly possible.
For that reason, every single scene with Bran Stark is going to be crucially important. Fans must pay attention to every word he says, and how he says it. Also, note how he acts towards everyone. If he gives someone the cold shoulder, there is certainly the chance that that character is set to do something really bad in the coming weeks.
At the end of the day, everyone is always talking about Dany and Jon. But in reality, Bran should be just as much of the discussion, as he is a crucial piece in figuring out what is to come.
What do you think? Is Bran just as valuable to Game of Thrones as any other character? Tell us in the comments!