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From the moment Bran Stark's warging abilities were introduced in Game of Thrones, fans have speculated on the limits of his powers. When Bran first journeys into the past, he appears merely as a ghostly presence, watching from afar. However, it soon becomes clear that Bran’s ability to influence past events is far greater than we initially believed. He’s not just an observer; he's an active participant, as seen in the scenes where he calls out to a younger Ned Stark and inadvertently alters Hodor’s fate.
The enigmatic magic that allows Bran to travel through time also grants him the ability to alter it. This has led some fans to wonder whether Bran might be the unintentional catalyst behind some of the major events in history—most notably, the madness of King Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King. One theory suggests that a seemingly innocent action by Bran could have unknowingly triggered the wars that unfold in the present of Game of Thrones.
Reddit user mvmchugh proposes that Bran traveled back in time to warn the Mad King (before he earned the title 'Mad King') about the White Walkers, but his warning might have been the very thing that pushed Aerys over the edge. According to the theory, Bran's cryptic message to Aerys to 'burn them all,' referring to the undead, had the same devastating effect as when young Hodor heard the phrase 'hold the door.' Bran’s words unwittingly shattered Aerys’s mind, setting him on the path to insanity and his infamous desire to destroy the city.
The theorist points out that in the season 8 premiere, Bran refers to Jaime Lannister as an 'old friend.' While many assumed it was a sarcastic remark, given that Jaime is responsible for Bran’s paralysis, the Reddit user argues that Bran’s words might actually be a nod to Jaime being the one who ultimately stopped the Mad King, earning him the title of 'Kingslayer.' If Bran did, in fact, contribute to the Mad King's madness, he might owe Jaime a debt of gratitude for saving King's Landing.
The theory may seem far-fetched, but if there’s any truth to it, it suggests that we’ve significantly underestimated Bran’s influence over both the past and the future. With another popular fan theory claiming that Bran might actually be the Night King, it’s clear that we’re expecting major revelations regarding Bran’s powers in the final season. All we can do now is watch and see how it all unfolds.
