Spoilers ahead for the Season 8 premiere of Game of Thrones.
Bran made a big splash in Game of Thrones’ Season 8 premiere. What was arguably his most significant moment occurred at the end of the episode. Bran was in the courtyard at Winterfell when Jaime Lannister arrived. The same Jaime who had pushed Bran out of a window all those years ago.
That scene brought Game of Thrones full circle as the series’ premiere had ended with Jaime shoving Bran from a tower at Winterfell. Season 8 ended with them coming face-to-face as Bran gave Jaime the staredown of a lifetime. How did actor Isaac Hempstead Wright master Bran’s intense stare? Well, he has a secret weapon. While a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Hempstead Wright said:
I’m getting good at this kind of intense stare, but it’s actually aided by the fact that I’m completely blind when I’m on set. I don’t have my glasses, and I don’t have contact lenses.
That will do the trick. Interestingly, Isaac Hempstead Wright’s former Game of Thrones co-star gave the same explanation. Jason Momoa’s for making his eyes smolder during Saturday Night Live. Whatever is getting him there, Hempstead Wright’s method is working super well. Bran was one of the huge talking points after Game of Thrones’ premiere.
Jimmy Kimmel interpreted Bran’s look to Jaime as one saying, “ah hello.” What a hello it was! As the Three-Eyed Raven, he was probably expecting to see Jaime. Thanks to his powers, Bran can see the past and the present. Hence, Bran had some lead time to decide how he wanted to handle Jaime’s arrival at Winterfell.
Isaac Hempstead Wright went on to reveal that his co-stars have also noticed his intense gaze as Bran. One of them mentioned it to him. Hempstead Wright let them know what his secret weapon is. Setting the record straight, Hempstead Wright told the story:
I remember I was doing one scene in Season 7 with Sophie Turner who plays Sansa, and she said ‘Isaac, your stare is like, you’re staring into my soul. And I said, ‘I can’t see you, that’s why.'
I wonder if Sophie Turner noticed this when they were filming that incredibly uncomfortable Sansa and Bran scene, where Bran and Sansa were talking near the Weirwood trees and he disturbingly brought up her wedding to Ramsey.
As for the fan theory that Bran Stark is The Night King, Jimmy Kimmel brought it up after Isaac Hempstead Wright said that Bran is on the side of the living. Kimmel noted The Night King is not. That would seem to dismiss it.
Isaac Hempstead Wright has previously sort of debunked the theory. Of course, he probably could not really say much if it is true (non-disclosure agreement).
Bran will likely continue to give his fair share of intense stares in the next episode. He should be slightly happy in Episode 2. Sam ended up doing as he wanted and told Jon Snow the truth about his lineage.
Why did Bran want Sam to tell him then? Will Bran reveal the answer? It seems doubtful. He does not like to share much. Whatever Bran’s plan is, he will likely be carrying it out armed with some intense staring action.
Find out who Bran Stark stares down next and what he has to say about Jaime Lannister. Game of Thrones Season 8 will continue airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
