Bran Stark Becoming King Is a Horrible Ending, but the Best Case for Westeros

Arguably the most controversial character in the final season of Game of Thrones has been Bran Stark, the Three-Eyed Raven. A character with what seems like an unhindered ability to predict the past and see into the future, who theoretically control the minds of humans and animals alike.

That being said, he has hardly used this gift in the final season to aid his comrades. He has sat in his chair, stared at people, and not really contributed anything to the plot.

Even during the battle with the Night King, the being that was said to be the Three-Eyed Raven's mortal enemy, he was useless.

Bran's lack of development has been the least of fans' concerns this season, but with a season full of controversy and us heading into the final episode of this epic series, I think we need to look death in the face and prepare ourselves for disappointment.

What if Bran takes the Iron Throne?

Before the season started, Las Vegas oddsmakers were giving Bran the best odds of taking the Throne by the end of the series, leaving many fans puzzled.

Why would a character that has no claim to the Throne and has doesn't even have the desire to claim the rights to his ancestral home in Winterfell even want to be King?

It was weird and made no sense, and when it first came out I thought that whoever made these odds had never bothered watching the show, but just looked at who was the most powerful character on the show.

Now I'm not so sure after seeing the direction this season has gone. Maybe they were onto something.

Why Would the Writers Make Bran King?

If Bran does become King, it would send the fanbase into a downward spiral swifter than Daenerys's sanity. The writers should know this, but you'd also think they'd know how to better develop characters and how they'd react to main characters dying in disappointing fashion.

D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are on a warpath to subvert our expectations, and trust me, they've done that. They are obviously doing everything in their power to make sure that the fans have no clue what's going to happen and that seems to be at the cost of development and commendation.

D&D want to do what they feel is best for the story, but they also want to make sure we never see it coming. I have no doubt in my mind that they're willing to do this if it doesn't make perfect sense.

Does it make sense though?

Why It'd Be a Horrible Ending

Bran stated in season seven episode three that he could never be lord of anything because he is the Three-Eyed Raven, so I'm sure being King of the Seven Kingdoms would be included in that statement as well.

If Bran does become King, it would be true to season eight form in the fact that no development has been made towards this outcome. There hasn't even been proper foreshadowing that we've become accustomed to for the shows entire run.

Even worse, most fans don't have a strong connection or admiration for Bran; most think he's a weird little freak with no emotions.

It'd be one thing if Tyrion or Sansa ended up on the Throne somehow. While it still hasn't been developed, at least some fans would enjoy seeing these two characters achieve the pinnacle of the show.

A shocking finale with Tyrion or Sansa on the Iron Throne would still be divisive, but at least some would find enjoyment in it. From my point of view, NOBODY would be happy with Bran on the Throne. His arc just doesn't have the same followers as the other characters.

Why Bran Is Actually the Best Ruler for the Seven Kingdoms

Let me be clear, I do not want to see Bran sit on the Iron Throne, but in terms of the fictional country of Westeros, Bran might be the best ruler possible.

What did Tywin Lannister say makes a great king?

Wisdom.

What is the definition of wisdom? The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

Bran can look into the past and see every event that has ever happened in human history—if that's not experience and knowledge, then I don't know what is. The Night King wanted Bran dead because he is human memory personified.

Also, if seeing into the future is part of his powers then that will lead him to make great judgment calls considering he'll know what will happen and can act on it accordingly.

His temperament is ideal as well. He will never become angry or impatient and will always keep his calm in situations where most men and women would make decisions in haste and impulsively.

A man with no emotion that will not let his temperament get the better of him, can survey all of Westeros from a single chair, has the past and future at his disposal, and someone who we know has no evil intentions in his heart?

Westeros could prosper under a King like this who can lead them in the right direction and defend them against threats, whether they be human or non-human.

How Could Bran Become King?

I'm not a show writer, as much as I wish I was. I think that there is a way to put Bran on the Iron Throne that makes sense, but honestly, I have no idea how.

Unless Bran was lying about his intentions, he doesn't want to be King, much like Jon.

Jon, Daenerys, and Gendry are the only three characters with a legitimate claim to the Iron Throne, but what has to happen to make way for a character like Bran? Well, death obviously. Or at the very least, death of the ones who desire the Throne.

Daenerys's death has been highly speculated on and if she dies, would Jon or Gendry take over? Jon doesn't want it—how many times does he have to say it? Gendry has never even thought it'd be a possibility for him to become King so we have no idea what his thoughts on it are, but he strikes me as a guy who would be content as the Lord of Storm's End.

What if democracy prevails in Westeros? Would the Lords of Westeros elect Bran King for the reasons I stated?

It's definitely possible. Most already know of Bran's abilities and how they could benefit Westeros, so maybe they would crown him King because he's simply the best man for the job.

I'm not here to start a theory fire that would burn my reputation to the ground because, again, I don't want Bran to win the Game of Thrones. If it happens though, I thought of this and decided to share it to help qualm the fury of the fanbase if it does happen.

Do you think this would be George R.R. Martin's plan or D&D's alone? If it is George's, it's interesting to think that the very first chapter of his first book A Game of Thrones was from Bran's point of view. What if the last chapter from A Dream of Spring is from Bran's point of view as well? His view of the Kingdom from the Iron Throne?