Was that Howland Reed at the Dragonpit in the Game of Thrones finale?
By Corey Smith
Between major character deaths, new monarchs being chosen, and yet another modern drinking receptacle making its way onto set, there was a lot going down in the Game of Thrones series finale, “The Iron Throne.” With some time for reflection, we have to ask: did a long-mysterious character finally make their debut appearance during Bran Stark’s election at the Dragonpit?
What character are we talking about? None other than Howland Reed, head of House Reed, best friend to Ned Stark, father of Meera and Jojen Reed, and one of only a couple people to know the secret of Jon Snow’s origins before Bran and Sam cracked the case wide open. Was he there? Let’s go to the tape!
First, we have Howland Reed as he appeared roughly 20 years previous, alongside Ned Stark at the Tower of Joy.
And next we have the mysterious lord, played by Andrew Bicknell, sitting next to Samwell Tarly at the choosing:
If this is Howland, obviously he’s much older now. But note the distinctive cloth covering over his shoulders, as well as the leather vambrances. Costumes are never an accident on Game of Thrones, and those vambrances appear to have the same “X” across them. The way both men hold their swords is also similar, though hardly unique. Our best guess? This is in fact Howland Reed.
But why would Howland Reed, one of the least powerful lords of the North, be at such an occasion? To start, Bran’s friendship with the Reeds runs deep, with Howland’s son Jojen sacrificing himself to get Bran to the old Three Eyed Raven in season 4, and his daughter Meera nearly doing the same to get Bran back south. Jojen talked about his father during the group’s trip north:
"Jojen Reed: “When I told my father about your father, for the first time in my life, I saw him cry.”Bran Stark: “Your father is Howland Reed. He saved my father’s life during the rebellion.”Jojen Reed: “Your father told you about the rebellion? Mine never did.”"
So while Howland Reed might initially seem out of place, the Reeds sacrifices for both Ned and Bran Stark could earn Howland a spot at the council, particularly if Bran convinced him to come knowing that his vote would be needed.
To date, Howland Reed has also not showed up in George R.R. Martin’s novels, but we’ve heard about him. Howland also befriended Lyanna Stark at the Tourney of Harrenhal, where Lyanna stood up for Howland when he was attacked by squires. He may have even donned a set of armor and a helmet and participated in the tournament as a mysterious figured called the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
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Book-readers have long held to the belief that Howland will reappear in some way to help prove Jon’s heritage in Martin’s forthcoming novels, and while that didn’t happen on the show, if this is Howland, it could be a nod to something like that happening.
Or this is just some random lord. After all, is it really is Howland, where’s Meera? What do you think? Sound off below!
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