Game of Thrones: Top 5 Saddest Deaths (So Far)

3. Hodor (Season 6, Episode 5)

Ever since the first season, ol’ Hodor has been one of the more likable characters on a show full of devious people. Perhaps it was because he was very kind but had a simple mind. All he can say is his name, “Hodor”, unable to utter any other words. None of us knew the story as to why that is until the end, and then we perhaps wished we didn’t find out.

With Bran Stark on the run, Hodor had been serving as his protector, literally carrying him around. He was there when Bran starting having visions, courtesy of the Three Eyed Raven. By the middle of the sixth season, Bran’s journey had let him to a cave with the White Walkers hot on his tail. During this time, Bran had more visions of a young Hodor’s past, back when he had another name and could speak. But these very visions would also transform Hodor, making him into who he is.

With White Walkers barging in, Hodor was told to hold the door shut so Bran could escape. “Hold the door!” he would hear repeatedly, with zombie arms crashing through and tearing at his skin. With Bran “time-traveling” into Hodor’s past, this would affect the young Hodor’s mind — the flashback shows him convulsing, repeating “Hold the door!” over and over until all he can say is “Hodor”.

Throughout the entire series (and really, Hodor’s entire life sine that moment), his fate was always to die holding the door for Bran Stark. If that’s not sad I don’t know what is.