Guys, I'm in a pretty grievous state, because I think my favorite minor book character was just written out of "Game of Thrones" season 4. I'm talking, of course, about Coldhands, about whom I've written about twice as often as I can reasonably justify, simply because he's too cool for schooltelevision. If you watched "Game of Thrones" season 4 episode 2, also known as The Purple Wedding, you might be starting to get worried. I certainly am.
First off, obviously the most important thing in "Game of Thrones" season 4 so far was the Purple Wedding itself. But other things happened in "The Lion and the Rose" too. Bran's stuff wasn't terribly interesting-it pretty much never is, at least not until "A Dance With Dragons." But he did have a vision from the Weirwood tree. Here's that vision:
So, what does that have to do with Coldhands? Well, two things. Most importantly, the vision tells Bran exactly where he needs to go: North, but more specifically, to that particular place in the North he's having visions of. Coldhands serves only two purposes in the books: to guide and protect Bran on his journey to the Children of the Forest, and to convince us that he is actually Benjen Stark, even though he totally isn't, even though I hope he is.
If Bran is getting this vision from the Weirwood tree-and we know he's getting the vision, since he, like, already did, man-he doesn't really need Coldhands as a guide. His own visions are guiding him. Hodor and Jojen together can provide the relevant physical and spiritual protection as Bran runs his journey on his own-and has, you know, at least a little bit of agency of his own.
But why would "Game of Thrones" season 4 cut Coldhands? He may not be a major character, but he's still pretty memorable and well-known. There are two basic reasons why they would cut him. Neither have to do with money or pacing; the show has not really hesitated all that much to throw new characters at us so far, after all.
1. Coldhands is not Benjen Stark and GRRM or HBO wants to kill that rumor.
It's pretty clear that one of the reasons that Talisa died at the Red Wedding in "Game of Thrones" season 3 was to kill off the rumor that Jeyne Westerling-Talisa's equivalent in the books-was pregnant with Robb Stark's heir. It was a loose end that people latched onto, to a small degree. The Coldhands = Benjen Stark theory is probably the second most prominent major fan theory, even though lots of evidence has since sort of discredited it. Cutting Coldhands out leaves the Benjen mystery dangling.
The other option is...
2. Coldhands actually is Benjen Stark.
Let's play pretend for a second. If Coldhands was actually Benjen Stark, they would pretty much need to have Coldhands be played by the same actor who played Benjen. Just because. And even if we never saw his face in a recognizable way, the word would still get out. The last thing we want are actual "Winds of Winter" spoilers embedded into "Game of Thrones," especially in measly season 4. This option is a total long-shot, but maybe "Game of Thrones" just can't give up this secret just yet. But it's not too likely.
I guess there's a third option.
3. We'll get Coldhands in another episode or two.
I would sure look stupid then, wouldn't I?
