Will Hodor's Backstory be the Same in the Books?

The origin of Hodor's name - the phrase that set the course of his life - is a subject of much debate among fans of Game of Thrones. In an Inside Episode 6 video on the official Game of Thrones YouTube channel, showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss revealed a significant detail about Hodor's backstory, allegedly obtained directly from George R.R. Martin himself.

Confirmed Backstory from GRRM

In the video, the writers and producers hinted that the origin of Hodor's name "Hold the door" was directly from George R.R. Martin. This revelation should clear up some of the speculation surrounding Hodor's tragic tale. They mentioned being deeply shocked when they heard this from GRRM, similar to their reaction when he shared the story of Stannis Baratheon burning his daughter Shireen.

The Similarity and Differences

While the core idea of Hodor's name coming from the phrase "Hold the door" is likely to be consistent across both the show and the books, there are probable differences in the specific details. This is because the showrunners expressed reluctance to take this at face value, as they had also found themselves altering certain story elements like the Stannis and Shireen storyline, thus suggesting a potential difference in how the character is depicted in the text.

Potential Variations in the Book

Despite the apparent similarities, it's highly likely that the book will explore different circumstances or variations that could include Bran's involvement or different events leading to Hodor's condition. The show might have compressed or altered the plot for dramatic effect, but the essence of his origin story might differ in the broader context provided by the books.

Speculative Analysis

As a fan, I hold on to the hope that more depth might be added to Hodor's story in the books, particularly in relation to the crypts of Winterfell - a location that has not been fully explored in the show. Additionally, the involvement of Bran and the Children of the Forest might be significantly expanded, providing a wider scope to the mystery of Hodor's fate.

The Final Conjecture

The ongoing speculation and the clear emotional impact of the Hodor story in the show lead to one final, almost absurd possibility. It's possible that after hearing the episode, George R.R. Martin himself saw their portrayal as a serious, but perhaps misguided attempt to reflect his intentions. Perhaps he took it as a moment of creative tension rather than a definitive portrayal of the character. Only time or his actual writings can confirm this.

Fans eagerly await the official publication of the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons (the equivalent introduction of Hodor's backstory in the books), to see how it fits into the expansive narrative of the series.

Key Takeaways

1. Hodor's name is likely to be "Hold the Door" as mentioned by George R.R. Martin, but the specific incident leading to this might be different. 2. Bran's involvement is still an open question, potentially making Hodor's story more impactful in the books. 3. The crypts of Winterfell may play a more significant role in his background.

Stay tuned for the next season of Game of Thrones and the forthcoming books, as the full picture of Hodor's backstory continues to unfold.