Hodor and Bran Stark's Emotional Reunion: An Unforgettable Tribute to The Door After 7 Years

Summary

Game of Thrones stars Kristian Nairn and Isaac Hempstead Wright reunite after seven years, reminiscing about their time on the show.

"The Door" episode stands out as iconic, primarily because of the emotionally charged narrative involving Bran and Hodor, which delivers a heart-wrenching twist that leaves audiences in shock. The sacrifice made by Hodor and the subsequent revelation of Bran's role in his tragic fate establish this storyline as one of the most profoundly tragic and influential in the realm of Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones stars Kristian Nairn and Isaac Hempstead Wright, who portrayed Hodor and Bran Stark respectively in the critically acclaimed HBO series, have recently reunited after seven years since their memorable appearance in the standout episode "The Door." This episode marked a significant point in their characters' journey, with Bran embarking on a profound and mystical adventure throughout the show's eight seasons, while Hodor, as a loyal servant of House Stark, played a crucial role in supporting him. The poignant events that unfolded in "The Door" made it one of the most unexpected and emotionally charged episodes in the history of Game of Thrones. Nairn has now taken to Instagram to share their heartwarming reunion. Check out his post below.

Why "The Door" Is An Iconic Game Of Thrones Episode

The scenes beyond the Wall featuring Bran and Hodor in Game of Thrones' "The Door" have become iconic. Hodor, the loyal but simpleminded servant who can only utter his own name, has always been a part of Bran's story, yet his character remained largely unexplored. However, this all changed when the Night King and the Army of the Dead closed in on Bran, Hodor, the Three-Eyed Raven, Meera Reed, Bran's direwolf Summer, and the Children of the Forest. In a pivotal moment, Bran merges his consciousness, allowing a part of his mind to warg into Hodor in the present timeline.

In a vision of the past, the Three-Eyed Raven bestowed upon Bran the memories and knowledge necessary for him to become the next Three-Eyed Raven. While defending his comrades from the Army of the Dead, Hodor was instructed by Meera to "hold the door," a command he faithfully followed even as he was slain by the wights. Concurrently, within Bran's vision, a young boy named Wylis began experiencing seizures and repeatedly uttered the phrase "hold the door" upon making eye contact with Bran. Over time, this phrase gradually transformed into the name "Hodor."

As the events unfolded, viewers came to understand that Bran was responsible for Wylis' transformation into Hodor, just as Hodor selflessly sacrificed his life in the present to protect Bran and Meera. This revelation, unlike previous major plot twists in Game of Thrones, had not yet been revealed in the books, resulting in a shocking revelation for all audiences. Hodor, a beloved character, had his story tragically altered by Bran's actions, yet he remained fiercely devoted to protecting Bran until the very end.

Source: Kristian Nairn/Instagram