Curtain Call: Max von Sydow

"“We watch, we listen, and we remember. The past is already written. The ink is dry.” Three-Eyed Raven"

When we were first alerted that legendary actor Max von Sydow would be replacing Struan Rodger as the Three-Eyed Raven, I danced with joy. I’ve long been a fan of Sydow’s work, with my first exposure to his acting coming with 1973’s The Exorcist.

In 1980, Sydow once again made an impression on me by playing Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon. And then, in 1984, Max von Sydow cemented his role as one of my favorite actors by portraying Doctor Kynes in Dune. And in 2015, he rounded out those roles by playing Lor San Tekka, the keeper of Luke Skywalker’s secret, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. To say that Sydow’s has had an impact on the world of cinematic science-fiction would be a massive understatement.

His role on Game of Thrones was an extension of the career in genre fiction Sydow had built for himself. He was the perfect actor to play teacher to Isaac Hempstead Wright’s Bran Stark. In each scene, he imparted wisdom to Bran, wisdom Sydow sold with his deep, ponderous voice. The Three-Eyed Raven also took Bran into the past, to Winterfell and the Tower of Joy and into the far north of Westeros. These visions were critical to understanding events that are to unfold in the current timeline.

If there were questions about the Three-Eyed Raven’s motives in the beginning of the season, then perhaps they’ve been answered now. When Bran wandered into the past by himself and was marked by the Night’s King, the Three-Eyed Raven knew what his purpose was, and that he had precious little time to fulfill it.

By taking Bran to Winterfell at the exact moment when young Ned Stark was about to leave for the Vale, the Three-Eyed Raven knew that Bran would open and close a loop in time, an act that would eventually save his life. Yes, it came that a terrible cost, but it had to be done. For what purpose? Time will tell.

Max von Sydow classed up the joint by being on Game of Thrones, and we were lucky and honored to get to watch him practice his craft. We wish him luck in whatever he chooses to do next.