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The later seasons ofGame of Thronesdiverged fromGeorge R.R. Martin ’s booksrepeatedly , and they even confirmed a House Stark theory the author had previously expose . Game of Throneswas lauded as one of the best modern fantasy adjustment , but the HBO serial publication bit by bit moved away from the reservoir material . part , this was because the creators take to the woods out of tale , since Martin ’s series was n’t — and still is n’t — accomplished . While Martin shared the fundamental principle of his ending withGame of Thrones’showrunners ( viaForbes ) , they also put their own twirl on certain plot line .
That included Benjen Stark ’s narrative , asGame of Thronesconfirmed a fan theory about the quality that Martin had already quashed . Given the scope of theSong of Ice and Firebooksis much greater than that of the show , it ’s not surprising that the latter try out to twine up certain electric discharge in a pissed , more efficient manner . In the cause of Benjen , this meant combining his tale with that of anotherASOIAFfigure . Although many reader believed Benjen and Coldhands could be the same someone , Martin rejected that suggestion . However , Game of Thronesran with it anyway .
Game Of Thrones Basically Turned Benjen Stark Into Coldhands
It Gave Ned’s Brother The Same Story Beats As ASOIAF’s Mystery Character
Benjen Stark disappeared beyond the Wall at the commencement ofGame of ThronesandA Song of Ice and Fire , and the Good Book still have n’t work the whodunit of what occur to Ned ’s brother . The HBO serial , on the other script , did address Benjen ’s whereabouts after going north — andit essentially turn him into Coldhands . In Martin ’s source material , Coldhands is a mysterious figure of speech beyond the Wall , and his identity still has n’t been revealed . He salvage Gilly and Sam inA violent storm of Swords , and he accompanies Bran to the cave of the Three - Eyed Crow inA Dance With Dragons .
Bran Stark polemically became Westeros ' newfangled king in Game of Thrones ' series finale , but the same wo n’t happen in GRRM ’s The Winds of Winter .
Coldhands was confirmed as being undead in the books , but he ’s not one of the Others , nor does he do their command . It ’s not entirely clear who or what the occult grapheme is or why he ’s so invested in Bran ’s journeying beyond the Wall . Fans have hypothesize that he could be Benjen Stark , a gimmick that would explain what happened to Ned ’s brother and make sense of Coldhands ' interest in Bran . Game of Thronesmore or less confirmed this theory , even though the record book have n’t ( and seemingly wo n’t ) .
The HBO show gave Benjen Stark Coldhands ' fib , make him save Bran and his fellow traveller during their slip to the other side of the Wall .
The HBO show gave Benjen Stark Coldhands ' story , throw him hold open Bran and his companions during their trip to the other side of the Wall . He appeared to be undead during his laterGame of Thronesscenes , and he also went on to aid Jon when he was attacked by wights and White Walkers . This show a satisfactory way of preserve the Starks and wrap up Martin ’s Benjen mystery , all without introducing yet another character toGame of Thrones . Judging by Martin ’s notes on an former draught ofA Dance With Dragons , however , it wo n’t go like this in the Christian Bible .
GRRM Debunked The “Benjen Is Coldhands” Theory Before Game Of Thrones Started
An Old A Dance With Dragons Manuscript Rejected This Idea
AlthoughGame of Thronesessentially turned Benjen Stark into Coldhands , Martin debunked the lover theory that they ’re the same character in the book . An early ms ofA Dance With Dragons , which was once usable to see at the Cushing Library at Texas A&M University , reportedly included notes from Martin and his editor , Anne Groell . These were posted onRedditby a user name _ honeybird who had visited the subroutine library and shared their findings .
Jon Snow ’s story in the books might move around out differently than in Game of Thrones . Here are some theories that paint a picture major deviation for ASOIAF .
Like many readers , Groell speculated that Coldhands was Benjen . The distinction in the margins read , " Is this Benjen ? I remember it ’s Benjen . And does Bran never pick out him because he never sees his face fully ? " It ’s a unspoilt guess , and one of the reasons readers thought this House Stark possibility could prove true . However , above this note is a self-aggrandising , crimson " NO , " ostensibly confirm that Coldhands is not , in fact , go to be Benjen in the account book .
The HBO show belike lard this to avoid introducing and elaborating on another character in an already - packed cast .
At Martin ’s behest , the holograph was take off display in 2015 ( viaWinterIsComing ) . And it ’s possible that he ’ll change his approach to the case while writingThe Winds of WinterorA Dream of Spring . But adjudicate by his greenback in the early draft ofA Dance With Dragons , Game of Thrones’Benjen reveal was n’t part of his architectural plan . The HBO show likely embellished this to avoid introduce and complicate on another character in an already - pack cast . But if Benjen is n’t Coldhands in theSong of Ice and Firebooks , that raises interrogative about who is .
If Not Benjen, Then Who Is Coldhands?
One Of The Raven’s Teeth Makes The Most Sense
If Benjen Stark and Coldhands are n’t meant to be the same person , the latter ’s identity is still up in the air — andThe farting of Winterneeds to addressit . In the books , Coldhands is simply the name Samwell Tarly give the occult fig who helps him and Gilly . Butit stand up to understanding that Coldhands had a human animation before becoming undead , and there are a few other theories about whom he could have been . Given that he wears the colors of the Night ’s Watch and refer to Sam as " brother , " he ’s potential a former extremity of the order .
George R.R. Martin has leave A Song of Ice & Fire lector with legion unrequited mysteries . Here are the unity I ’d do it to see get figure out .
With Brynden Rivers , or Lord Bloodraven , seemingly being the Three - Eyed Crow — a revelation bothA Dance With DragonsandHouse of the Dragon point to — one potent theory is that he ’s one of the Raven ’s Teeth . Brynden Rivers ' guards prefer to join the Night ’s vigil alongside him , essay their loyalty to their leader . It would make sense that one of them continued to dish up him as Coldhands , and the timeline would match , as we know Coldhands has been dead for quite some prison term .
There are also theories that Coldhands could be the Night ’s King , who is adifferent character fromGame of Thrones’Night King . It would be fascinating for the thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night ’s Watch to make an appearance in the independent tale . However , Martin has suggested that the Night ’s King is n’t still alive in the master timeline ( viaNot a Blog ) . And given his dark routine after falling for a distaff Other , it ’s hard to see why he ’d be helping the Three - Eyed Crow or Bran .
Coldhands could also be a less prominent figure of the Night ’s Watch , as there ’s no warrantee he ’s a character we already know .
Coldhands could also be a less prominent member of the Night ’s Watch , as there ’s no guarantee he ’s a grapheme we already fuck . This would send a slap-up nidus on his role in the story and how he ’s capable of being undead without being an Other , rather than focusing on the surprisal of find a intimate look .
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So… Where Is Benjen Stark?
He Could Be Dead Or On A Secret Mission For The Night’s Watch
Martin debunkingASOIAF ’s pop Coldhands theory also raises interrogative about what bechance to Benjen after going north of the Wall . This remains a mystery head intoThe Winds of Winter , and give that none of the characters have see or hear from him , thing do n’t take care good for Ned ’s brother . The bad - vitrine scenario is that Benjen is stagnant , a development that would n’t find off in Martin ’s farinaceous fantasy serial . He could also be a creature , with one or more of the Starks having to face him beforeA Song of Ice and Fireis through .
Very few individuals make out the trueness about Jon being the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar , but one theory suggests Benjen Stark knew even more than Ned did .
More optimistically , Benjen could be on a secret mission for the Night ’s Watch . His position as First Ranger makes him the most likely candidate for such an assignment . It ’s heavy to say what Benjen could be doing beyond the Wall that none of his brothers can know about , however — and at this point , it seems like something has gone wrong . Perhaps he has been captured trying to track down the Wildlings or the Others . This would be a change fromGame of Thrones , but it could still correct him up for an important role in the Great War to arrive .
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informant : Forbes , Reddit , WinterIsComing , Not a web log
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
