Bran Learning and the Dagger

Published August 8, 2017 · Updated July 6, 2022

Gents,

As robotic as Bran is coming off on the show, I think this episode did well to illustrate how Bran is learning to be the Three Eyed Raven. He has a growing detachment from humans as we can see with Bran’s clinical farewell to the woman responsible for physically dragging him south of the wall. However, there were also moments with each of his sisters where he tried to connect with them by sharing his knowledge of their secrets.

However, the two moments I liked best were Bran talking to Littlefinger and then giving the dagger to Arya.

When talking to Littlefinger, we see a glimpse that even though Bran is detached from the human condition, he can still unravel people. By repeating words that Littlefinger told Varys in a private conversation, “chaos is a ladder,” we see Petyr shaken and confused by losing what he thought was his upper hand in a conversation with a crippled boy. But apart from Bran throwing a curve ball at Littlefinger, I really liked the question of who’s dagger it was. Petyr didn’t answer the question that I think Bran was asking. I think Bran was seeing into the distant past to an ancient owner. Where as Littlefinger was thinking Bran was asking about who owned the knife when it was sent to kill him, I really think Bran sees something more significant in the dagger from history.

Which leads me to the scene when Bran gives the dagger to Arya. Bran says he has no use in the dagger as a cripple, but look at his eyes as he hands the dagger over. You can see him look almost like he is watching a dream he once saw, or is watching. Or, like he is watching himself fulfill prophecy. Think of the final showdown with Agent Smith and Neo in the Matrix trilogy where Smith sees what he must do but doesn’t understand why, yet. Which makes me wonder, what does Bran know about the future that made him give the dagger to Arya? Does he know why he is giving it to her or just that he must?

As boring as Bran might seem, I think we need to keep a close eye, maybe our third (sorry), on what he says and does. For someone who knows everything, his economy of words will be efficient if anything. I don’t foresee him wasting words on an emotional goodbye. Emotion is dead in him, he only has enough time to do and say what must be done.

What do you think about Bran’s learning and also the significance of his giving the dagger to Arya?

Thanks! -Nick B

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