Game Of Thrones hinted at the fate of the Iron Throne and Bran Stark in the first EVER episode
- CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE GAME OF THRONES FINALE
Game Of Thrones fan theorists have claimed Bran Stark's fate as ruler of Westeros was hinted at in the very first episode of the HBO fantasy series.
While many, in the lead up to Sunday's series finale, thought either Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen or Bran's siblings Arya and Sansa would claim the throne, it was Bran who ended up commanding the remaining six kingdoms.
GOT enthusiasts have scrutinised episode 1 [aired in 2011] and deduced that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss gave a nod to Bran's fate when his then-alive father Ned ordered a member of the Night's Watch be beheaded.
The King and I: Game Of Thrones fan theorists have claimed Bran Stark's fate as ruler of Westeros was hinted at in the very first episode of the HBO fantasy series
Ned - played by original star Sean Bean - recited the oath of execution in the scene.
He said: 'In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon. First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, sentence you to die.'
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In the scene, Bran - played by Isaac Hempstead Wright, aged just 12-years-old when the show started - is seen watching.
Jon [Kit Harington] is seen out of focus, while Ned says, 'King of the Andals and the First Men,' leading fans to theorise that this was a nod to the man who would be king [Bran].
Game over: While many, in the lead up to Sunday's series finale, thought either Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen or Bran's siblings Arya and Sansa would claim the throne, it was Bran who ended up commanding the remaining six kingdoms
While this discussion erupted on Twitter, several pointed out that the way the show ended was not as well planned.
'That wasn’t planned from the beginning. It’s a happy coincidence,' one person posted, as another added: 'And I guess Bran breaking his legs at the end of that episode is the foreshadowing for breaking the wheel? Come on guys, you're grasping at straws here.'
While it's not known precisely how much of the ending the show's writers had in mind when it first aired in 2011, many don't believe it was so thoroughly thought-out, thanks to the state of the novels the show is based on.
The series famously overtook the novels, written by George R R Martin, who is still yet to complete them, with two more to go.
Theory: Ned - played by original star Sean Bean - recited the oath of execution in the scene
Eager eyes: In the scene, Bran - played by Isaac Hempstead Wright, aged just 12-years-old when the show started - is seen watching
It's also not entirely clear how much imput the author had with the way the series was to end, and how similar the show's ending will be to the way the book series concludes.
Actor Hempstead Wright has himself admitted that he was shocked to learn that Bran took the throne in the finale.
He said: 'I genuinely thought it was a joke script and that [everyone was sent] a script with their own character ending up on the Iron Throne.'
No throne: In the finale, Drogon destroyed the Iron Throne - yet Bran was declared ruler
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he went on: 'I kind of did want to die and get in one good death scene with an exploding head or something.
'I think he’ll be a really good king actually. Perhaps there will be something missing in having a real emotive leader, which is a useful quality in a king or queen as well.
'At the same time, you can’t really argue with Bran. He’s like, "No, I know everything."'
