After Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones, I think I'm starting to understand why Bran and Hodor get along. They have both been traumatized at a young age. What happened to Hodor on Game of Thrones ? Bran was pushed from a tower because he saw something that he was not meant to, but we don't know how Wylis became Hodor. Also — if Hodor isn't Hodor's name, then what does Hodor mean? I have so many questions.
First of all, Bran is the sweetest, isn't he? I loved seeing how genuinely pleased he was to see Hodor happy and talking with Ned and Lyanna. Not only does Wylis talk, but he and Lyanna were like, bantering about young Benjen's fighting style. He's clearly observant, which isn't exactly news, but for obvious reasons we've never seen him articulate his observations in detail. They also said he had giant's blood, which could true... or just something that Ned and Lyanna told Benjen to scare him. I'd rather focus on Hodor's origin.
So what happened to him? I suppose the easy answer, since he worked in the stables, is that he was kicked by a horse, which could have permanently injured him. However, in the world of Game of Thrones, answers are rarely that simple.
He Saw Something Bad
What if, just like Bran, Wylis was a witness to something evil and horrific? He could have been rendered (almost) mute by what he saw. He could have been tortured or brainwashed as a result of what he saw. Someone may have wanted to silence him, and they may have succeeded.
Of course, it would be great if that means Wylis has knowledge of Jon Snow's true parentage. I don't get the feeling that he left Winterfell before helping Bran and Rickon escape, but Lyanna could have confided in him. If she was planning on running away with Rhaegar Targaryen, he might have known.
He Was Collateral Damage
Or, what if something spooked a horse near Wylis and caused the accident? There could have been Targaryen nonsense, or even Petyr Baelish nonsense, happening in the Winterfell stables — and poor Wylis was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Until we find out more, I'll just be over here trying to deconstruct "Hodor" and figure out if it means anything. I know that Ned is probably a priority, but I hope we see more Wylis flashbacks in the near Game of Thrones future!
Images: Helen Sloan/ courtesy of HBO; Giphy (2)
