Game of Thrones: The real reason Bran becoming king still makes no sense

Bran Stark is an important character from HBO's Game of Thrones. When Game of Thrones was launched in 2011, few could predict how big of an impact it would leave on the pop cultural landscape of our time. Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels, the show went on to become one of the most celebrated series of modern times. It impressed fantasy fans and audiences from all backgrounds with its politically charged plot, rich world-building, and character arcs that stay with you even after the credits roll. It was more than just dragons and battles; it was about power, and how that power corrupts. It offered a commentary on human nature and the fragility of human pride.

The plot was laced with a tense tussle of morality as characters navigated their way through a ruthless world. Over the years, the show built a reputation for insane plot twists.

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Bran Stark became the King of Seven Kingdoms

When it eventually entered its eighth and final season in 2019, expectations were sky-high. Viewers of the show closely followed the trajectories of Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, Arya Stark, and yes, even Bran Stark.

After many successful seasons, when the show came to a close, some fans were deeply disappointed by the finale and the way the last few episodes played out. These had pacing issues, character inconsistencies, and unsatisfying resolutions that undermined years of careful storytelling. But amidst all of this, one particular narrative decision remains endlessly debated: Bran Stark being placed as the King of the Seven Kingdoms.

Before we explore deeper into why his accession to the throne did not live up to audience expectations, let us take a look at his story so far:

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Bran's story

Bran Stark began humbly: as a little child climbing walls and listening to old stories. But a moment of transformation happened when he was pushed down from a tower by Jaime Lannister in episode one.

This incident led to his paralysis and aided him in a mystical transformation—a journey that led him beyond the Wall. Unlike other characters, Bran’s journey directed him towards intense training and wisdom under the supervision of the Three-Eyed Raven. When he returned to Winterfell, he was not Bran Stark anymore, and he made it clear with a declaration: “I’m not really… anymore. Not Bran.”

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The real reason Bran becoming king still makes no sense

One of the most important characters in the show was Daenerys Targaryen. She made a few decisions that ultimately led to a lot of chaos in the Kingdom. Especially after she fiercely destroyed King’s Landing, Westeros was in a deep state of crisis. The state was in dire need of a new ruler, and to solve this crisis, the lords and ladies gathered to determine the realm’s future.

Tyrion came up with an idea. He saw Bran the Broken—a man with no ambition, no desire for power, and a mysterious ability to see through time—as fitting for the throne.

Then came a poignant question: “Who has a better story than Bran the Broken?” Tyrion asked. This incident not only foreshadowed the grand sequence of events to come but signaled a solution and a twist of fate.

Even in a show that challenged audience expectations at every step, this development felt rushed and unearned. Bran had spent most of the final season muted and sidelined, and his sudden accession to the throne came off more as a storytelling trick than an integral, organic development.

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Here are some reasons why one may feel that this decision makes no sense:

The deeper look

1. Bran acknowledged his drastic transformation

One of the things Bran himself claimed after his transformation is that he is not Bran anymore. He became not only the man of the present but one who saw the future and past. This sort of detachment is great for mystical wisdom or personal transformation, but it’s questionable for leadership. Critics were divided on this question.

2. He did not do much in the final season

For most of the season finale, Bran’s character remained passive. For most of the episodes, we spotted him sitting around, and sometimes activity meant him delivering lines like, “I’m waiting for an old friend.”

Despite his much-celebrated powers, he gave no strategic insight into how the Kingdom should stand in the face of the Battle of Winterfell. He did little to aid in the downfall of Daenerys. Many fans may feel betrayed, given there were more active and dynamic characters in Game of Thrones.

3. The show had built more poignant characters through decades

Tyrion claimed that in this tale of power and the throne, Bran has “the best story.” While some may agree with this claim, others may find it laughable. The show had built considerable arcs for Jon Snow, Daenerys, Arya, and Sansa. Jon’s resurrection, Targaryen heritage, and moral compass; Daenerys’ rise and fall; Arya’s assassin journey; Sansa’s political evolution—these were gems that decorated the massive storyline of Game of Thrones.

In contrast, the chosen ruler’s journey became abstract and unrelatable to some extent.

4. The set-up and foreshadowing was shallow compared to other arcs

Game of Thrones mastered the art of foreshadowing and framing impactful, deeply relatable characters. Even though the world and the timeline were vastly different in the story, the series still managed to deliver on our hunger for complex character arcs. Think of the Red Wedding or Jon’s parentage—moments like these were carefully foreshadowed. On the contrary, Bran’s ascension appeared rushed. It came out of the blue.

5. The theme fell flat for this arc

One of the most prominent themes in Game of Thrones is the pursuit and the cost of power. How the moral weight of choice burdened even the mightiest warriors and expert schemers was something that permeated throughout the entire fabric of the show.

For example, Jon chose responsibility over love. Daenerys chose fire over diplomacy. But Bran’s crowning felt like a decision made about him, not by him. There was something oddly passive about the final solution to the titular problem.

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However, if one were to look for a silver lining in the creative decision that made Bran the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, one may look at what he represents rather than what he does. As someone with greater wisdom who remains untouched by ego, ambition, or dynastic baggage, his reign could mean a break in the unending chain of violence. We do not know for sure—but maybe that is exactly the beauty of Game of Thrones!

Also read: Game of Thrones: 10 mistakes that doomed the Seven Kingdoms