Now that I have primed the well here and you kind of know how this will work, I will forgo the usual preliminary banter that usually proceeds these things. What? I’m still doing it? Sorry Force of habit. So for your listening and dancing please we bring you part two in a series of Game of Thrones: “What If’s?”
What if Wylis never became Hodor?
What history tells us:
The character of Hodor is introduced in Episode One of Game of Thrones. He is Old Nan’s great-grandson and her only known relative (This is from the books). Hodor “appears” to be simple-minded because he is only capable of saying one word, “hodor”. I say he “appears” to be simple minded because he shows no problem with following instructions other people give him. It is assumed that Hodor is a word with no meaning, other than he says it so much it becomes his given name. Hodor is incredibly large and strong standing close to seven foot tall. In fact, It has been suggested that he might have some giants blood in him. More than once when necessary, Bran warged into the adult Hodor to take advantage of his great strength as he easily snapped the necks of some of the mutineers of the Knights Watch at Crasters Keep.
Hodor: The origin of this word was highly speculated by those who watched the show and it is finally revealed in the Season 6 Episode called “The Door.” His real name is: Wylis (Wylis What we don’t know. Of course, Old Nan didn’t have a last name either). The origin of the “Hodor” word came from a mistake made by Bran, while sharing a vision from the past along with the Three-Eyed Raven. While he was having this vision, which makes him basically unresponsive in the present, the Night King and his wights had invaded the Three-Eyed Raven’s cave. Hodor and Meera Reed we’re struggling to get the incapacitated Bran onto the sled they use to transport him. Meera kept calling for Bran to wake up and warg into Hodor who was experiencing a massive anxiety attack with the noise and the Wights closing in. The Three Eyed Raven told Bran in the vision that he must listen to Meera and help his friends. It was then that he warged into the adult Hodor to calm him and get him to help Meera. They barely escaped out of the cave but Hodor had to “Hold the Door” to keep the wights at bay
and allow Meera and Bran to escape. As Meera repeated the phrase “hold the door”, over and over, Bran did not realize he had made contact with Wylis as well. The young Hodor collapsed to the ground repeating the “Hold the Door” command until it slowly phased into the word, “Hodor.” The power of Bran’s intervention into young Hodor somehow effected his brain in such a way that “Hodor” became all he could or would say. In the present, Hodor gives his life “holding the door” to allow Meera and Bran the time to get away. (It still is a powerful moment).
Despite his affliction, House Stark set him to work at an occupation within his abilities, as a stableboy serving at Winterfell. Although, Wylis was the stable boy BEFORE he became Hodor. (One might wonder how this was a step up…or down? Actually, it is no step at all). Courage was not a problem for Hodor, nor was sacrifice, so the question is: What if Wylis never became Hodor? Let’s say that Bran never warged into young Wylis and his destiny went another direction. Let’s see where this might go:
I am basing this on two comments revealed when Bran visited Winterfell and saw Wylis with his father, his Uncle Benjen, and his Aunt Lyanna. Both comments were made when the young Starks tried to recruit Wylis to train with Benjen. As Lyanna gives Wylis a training sword and shield, he tells her: “ Benjen always lifts his chin when he’s about to charge. And lowers it when he’s going to dodge, my lady” This proves that Wylis has been paying attention to their training and recognizes a way to anticipate what Benjen will do. The other comment is from Benjen when Nan steps in to stop Wylis from fighting. “Oh, Nan, look at the size of him. If he ever learned to fight, he’d be unstoppable.”
In our little scenario, this is what will happen. Wylis will train with Benjen every chance he gets. As time goes on, his skills improve and his talent for learning from his opponent sharpen. Soon he is getting training with Sir Rodrik, much to the dismay of Nan but his strength and increasing skills are undeniable. In time, Lord Eddard Stark sends Wylis (with Nan’s begrudging permission) to be the Ward of Howland Reed his most trusted bannerman. There his skill and strength become almost legendary with young squires being brought over to test their skills against the behemoth. Eventually, although not of noble birth, he becomes a member of his Greywater Watch Guard and whenever the Starks of Winterfell call their bannermen, the soldiers of House Reed come to answer the call, led by the man who would be Hodor.
So that’s what I got. How do you think things might have been different? Let us know at GVNation and let us know how you like this series. Your opinions are what drives us.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
