Season 6 Episode 2 has Bran Stark going into the past with the aid of the Three Eyed Raven to see his home of Winterfell in a perceived happier time. As part of Bran traveling back in time, he sees a young version of Hodor or as he is called in this scene Wyllis. Unlike the Hodor of present, this character can speak normally not to mention has his named revealed. Yet what happened which made Hodor into whom he is at present?
More than likely, the question that has burned in many readers’ minds for years may very well be answered this season. First thing to note about this scene is that we see the Starks as children, perhaps as old as Bran Stark when we first encounter him in the series. When Wyllis/Hodor shows up, he seems around the age of Ned as well, except far taller. The boys remark that Hodor has giant’s blood in him but nothing confirmed for certain. The only revelation is that he still remains as a stable boy.
It’s important in showing Hodor’s true age because you can infer that he has been part of a lot of the Stark history, at least from the time of Ned until the current setting with Bran. Also, it’s important to note the consistency of Wyllis/Hodor’s gentle persona that has carried to the present. These elements demonstrate that Hodor quite possibly has a critical piece of knowledge that he has been withholding for years.
When we return to the present setting and cave, Bran tells Hodor what he has witnessed in traveling to the past, especially about Hodor himself. Of course, Hodor’s only response is Hodor. Yet you can sense there is some level of comprehension because there is both joy and melancholy, especially as Bran inquires deeply about what changed Hodor’s nature.
Now, the other character in the story that has a level of melancholy similar to Hodor is Ned Stark. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hodor shows up with Ned in this scene because it connects what the future Ned will come to know to potentially Hodor’s own behavior.
The preview for Season 6 Episode 3 shows what looks to be the famous Tower of Joy battle between Ned Stark and his men against the Targeryan loyalists. The story goes that the Kingsguard protected Lyanna Stark from Ned and his men who came to rescue his sister. More than likely this scene is another flashback with Bran witnessing first hand exactly what happened to Ned Stark and most importantly Lyanna Stark. Now, if all the theories are correct, then it’s possible that we may even see the infamous R+L=J theory come to be.
With Jon Snow having been revived in Episode 2, then this theory of R+L=J will be important as the Song of Ice and Fire starts to come together. For Bran, it’s important as he’ll know the truth behind Jon Snow’s heritage and can help Jon lay claim to the North and possibly Westeros down the road (let’s not forget the preview having Tormund calling Jon Snow a “god”) Despite all that, Bran is trapped and has no actual evidence to give Jon Snow more credibility and claim to the throne. And this is where I feel Hodor will come into play.
Most people consider Hodor a simpleton, idiot and other things that mock his lack of intelligence. Yet he is cognizant when provided orders. His only issue is that he does not speak the Common tongue beyond repeating his name over and over again. Yet for one I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he is the one that has helped Bran this entire time. He definitely plays a pivotal role whether he knows it or not.
My belief is that Hodor (or Wyllis) took some vow of silence after acquiring the true knowledge of what happened at the Tower of Joy in order to protect Jon Snow and the Starks from a potentially vengeful Robert Baratheon. That vow might’ve been done via a Maester with Ned’s distant approval. Perhaps, when the time is right, Hodor will come forth and cast off whatever spell, curse or vow of silence placed upon him to unveil the truth about Jon Snow’s parentage as a key witness to events.
Now, some may question why Bran’s visions would not be enough. My reply is that his situation already seems fairly hokey, even in a fantasy setting. Most people will probably doubt Bran’s version if he ever manages to return south of The Wall. Therefore, Hodor becomes a very crucial piece as a key witness in order to help secure Jon Snow’s claim down the road (if all these pieces truly line up).
There’s a sense of a parallel between Bran and the Starks from this scene as the Three Eyed Raven affirms Bran’s perception of their happiness. The Three Eyed Raven mentions, “So were you at one time.” Because of this parallel between ages,