Bloodraven's Cave: What Game of Thrones Did Not Show You! - A Song of Ice and Fire (End Game Theory) 

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Thank you so much for continuing the channel even after Game of Thrones finished I will keep watching you as long as you keep doing videos

"Don't listen to it, all crows are liars" old Nan

The book makes warging out to be a far more intimate and invasive process. Just what taking over another's free will should be like.

On the show, Jojen Reed almost looks like the life is litteraly being drained from him, as they get closer to the cave. He looks increasingly pale &clamy, no?

I think there could have been a full season just to brans story line and becoming a blood raven...including explaining who is all in the cript and past events that lead to them now

@26:11 I think this specific line, when Bran is in Hodor and looking at the CotF tangled in the Weirwood roots and says "Hodor" and then feels Hodor's consciousness stir at that moment is foreshadowing that there is no "blood raven", it's just blood raven's body with the collective consciousness of the weirwood having overtaken it, and that's exactly what that collective consciousness has planned for Bran (since the greenseer power does not transfer with the consciousness because it needs to transfer into a body that already has that power). The fact that Bran is supressing Hodor's consciousness to use his body, and at that exact moment when he's looking at the almost lifeless bodies of the children subsumed by the weirwood, he's reminded of that is no coincidence (remember how Bran felt the consciousness of the CotF when he first went into the raven). I think that collective consciousness lured blood raven there and now they've lured Bran for the same reason. As far as Jojen Paste goes... I think it is just as probably that the weirwoods (just like numerous plants in our world) probably have psychoactive alkaloids in its sap (E.g. Like numerous plants have DMT or mushrooms have psilocybin) and consuming that sap can alter consciousness in the same manner as shade of the evening.

The sacrifice of the man under the weirwood tree with the bronze sickle must be during the Age of the First Men, before the Andals came. Because the First Men used bronze, not iron which the Andals used. The Thenns also continue to use bronze in the present, and they are the tribe of humans that inhabit the farthest Northern territory, so perhaps they are the oldest of the First men too. Bran's visions passing in reverse order i.e. present - past support this theory as the Age of the First Men was a long time ago. So that white haired lady may well be the Night Queen in the Age of the First Men.

It's a good point, there's a part where Jon in Ghost dream where he sees the Weir Tree, starts to look like Bran etc, but when Jon/Ghost sniffs it sees leaves and DEATH behind it all and starts bearing his fangs, can't help but think of all the bones etc...and Jojenpaste

Yessss TT 46 mins!!!!! keep them coming. You should def do more like this. Its keeps me company as well as informed in the drive home and that takes me 56 minutes!

Old Nan: "Don't listen to it. Crows are all liars." Old Nan let something slip there. She understands their speech. I've said it before that Old Nan is much more than she seems. I just had a brainstorm that Old Nan might be Meera (who went to the past obviously) trying to tell Bran things which might help do the right thing in the future. An aside: "You will never walk again, but you will fly". I don't think this refers to him as flying when warging as he also walks when warging as a wolf or Hodor and he walks in his visions.

1 - YES YES YES Old Nan is key to all of this, she's been telling Bran not to trust crows and all along no one has dared to question the three-eyed raven without too many complications. It is complex of course, but how come we know about winter from the old nan but not the reality about crows... 2 - Tunnels...tunnels...they go to Winterfell's crypts, don't they? 3 -Branden...hahaa this Targaryen had been a Branden too, damn blood of Valyria... 4 - The chapter ...I feel everything is in there. Black like pitch, like tar, like crow's feathers. Black like Jon's cloak, black like what Branden was supposedly killed with, black like what keeps talking to him...

So just a thought. Bloodraven talks about how bran shouldn't fear the dark. The followers of rhaelor say the night is dark and full of terrors. So I think this helps the whole bloodraven is working for the great other thing

Hahaha dude you're creeping me out with the Hodor. Brann & Meera sex thing

Some of the best readings from the books, thanks for bringing it to life.

I'm just chilling, letting the video play in the background while I compose an email, hearing the video but not listening. And then suddenly I clue in to hear "Bran might use Hodor's body to have sex with Mira"... WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???

I just noted the Night king was carrying huge chains on his dead horse when we see him first in season 7 episode 1 through Bran's eyes when they were waiting at castle black for Nights watch men to open the gates... check out that scene/shot and see the chains... does it mean that the night king knew he would need them to drag a dead dragon from water?

Hell yes, love the longer video! You are the gold standard, the 'Iron Bank of Braavos' of GoT theories and content!

What if the Bloodraven's cave is connected to the Crypts at Winterfell?

This is like a whole episode in and of itself. I love it. Such a fan.

Great Job. The book is a masterpiece, so many details. The Series didn't put in all the details. Thank you for creating videos and sharing them with us. Appreciated!!

What if the children are trying to make bran into their weapon against man in the books?

I wish the show would have gone into detail about all the Stark children's special abilities. The children all have the same ability as Bran. They should all be able to see Bran's visions. I'm thinking, that maybe Bran's visions and ability is far more significant or stronger than the other siblings?

So your saying that leafs been around the entire time. From the very first white Walker up to the present. Is she immortal too?. Or is the vision that bran is shown of them creating a/the night king is a present creation.

With this chapter I see Bran going down a very dark path. He's thinking about being vengeful and wroth and being the broken prince of a lost kingdom. When Meera and Jojen decide to explore the river, and Bran follows as Hodor, he didn't even think to skinchange into a raven to follow them. He had just learned how to fly a few paragraphs before, but nope he went as Hodor without a second thought. I'm kinda worried for the kid.

It's brilliant, well done. And all this details and possibilities make the show to become even more stupidly finished - not for the outcome, but regarding the construction itself (characters stupidization, narrative destruction, and so forth).

I personally think you're spot on. It's blood magic of the darkest kind. They are all liars. When the children die, their souls go into the crows and the weirwood trees. In addition, I think there is a connection between them and the Stark family. "the Kings of Winter"

Do more of this. Reading the chapters with breakdowns. Especially Dunk and Egg. To many show watchers don't have this knowledge

What if Melisandre's vision in the flames is true? When she Blooraven and a boy with a wolf's face as being the Great Other? Bloodraven and Bran are champions of the Great Other, just as the Night King was. Who is left that is the "Fire" part in the Song of Ice and Fire? Starks and direwolves represent ice, and the sword's name is even Ice. Targaryens and dragons represent fire. If Dany is dead, and I say "IF".... and Jon is not allowed to reproduce.... then that only leaves Drogon and he can't reproduce either. Was that The Great Others real goal? To extinguish the Fire? Dany got stabbed in the heart by someone she loves. Jon got stabbed in the heart by someone he loved. Drogon flew off with Dany's body. Bran desperately wants to find Drogon. Dany can be brought back from the dead, same as Jon. The Red Priests and Priestesses serve the Lord of Light, the Great Other's arch-rival. And the Lord of Light is definitely on Team Dany, and Jon. And Drogon is insanely intelligent. Jon still has a big part to play, that is why Drogon didn't kill him. Drogon burning the Iron Throne shows vast intelligence. Drogon is taking Dany to a Red Priest/Priestess. And if that is the case.... could Dany be pregnant with Jon's baby? Did Tyrion come to fully understand what Bran wanted? The moment he realized his part he was set free. Tyrion knows Bran intends on living forever, and that Bran isn't really Bran. So when Tyrion said Bran the Broken should be King for life, he knew it meant for much longer than how the other Lords and Ladies took it. He knows Bran is not Bran but the 3 Eyed Raven. Him saying Bran the Broken should be King was like when Ned said "The Rightful Heir" instead of saying Joffrey. And Bran is Broken in more ways than 1. His back is broken and his legs don't work, but he is also possessed by an unknown entity. There has to be balance. Targaryen rule was going to be bad, we saw that. But Bran is the antithesis to Dany. With no Targaryens and only Starks, the Old Gods win. The Great Other wins. It can't just be a Song of Ice and Ice. Dany is still alive. She will have Jon's child. Tyrion will have to find a way to make Sansa understand what happened to her brother. Sansa will then have to make Jon understand. Dany will have to remain in Essos in hiding from Bran's thousand eyes. Daario and the Second Sons can eventually be rallied, as could the Unsulled and maybe the Dothraki once the time is right. The wheel wasn't broken. Now there are two. The jackass/honeycomb brothel joke was telling us things have come full circle, like in a wheel. A new game is afoot with a fresh new set of players. This is a story they can continue with 6-10 years down the road.

I would definitely buy your audiobooks if you were ever to do that.

Thank you Talking Thrones! I always look for book chapter readings! I haven’t read them in a while and love the refreshers. I’m not going to reread them until George is almost done WoW... in other words, I’ll reread them in another decade 🤣

I also think that those Children of the Forrest are up to no good, they've created so many problems for themselves and for the people of Westeros.

"The birds would speak the words," Well then, I didn't expect to hear those words in that order.

Dan, there’s so much detail I listened to this video twice. Thanks for the enlightenment.

"the great lions of the western hills are gone" is it just me or does that sound like the lannisters...

The whole "darkness is your friend, shield, strength" crap is foretelling, foreshadowing, forewarning and foreboding. I think i already know the path he's on. The question is will he see it in time.

I’m not trusting the children of the forest... I feel like they will be back near the very end of season 8... something doesn’t sit right

This is the best ,most complete commentary on the books and television series within the franchise that i've yet to come across .Well done .

I think Old Nan was the woman the Three Eyed Raven was talking about when he said...”a woman he favored”. I think that is why Old Nan said...”don’t listen to crows they are all liars”. That sounds like an old lovers animosity to me. I think Old Nan is older than people think. That’s why no one knows her real name and she knows so much. I don’t think she is some kind of Oracle. I think she is so old she has actually lived through the history in the stories she tells.

the pregnant woman coming out of the hot springs is the daughter of the lord of winterfell in the bael the bard tale. the wildling king beyond the wall who climbed the wall, infiltrated winterfell and impregnated the lord of winterfell's daughter. she had a son who became king in the north and he beheaded the kind beyond the wall. the king beyond the wall could not bring himself to kill his son, so the king in the north killed him. i think that is most plausible

The only thing that could take precedence to a talking thrones video? A job interview oh well I will reword myself and feast on these 46 minutes as soon as I am done!!

This isn't a theory so much as an observation, but what if the Brandon Stark who could taste the blood at the end of the chapter wasn't actually our Bran? There were 15 Brandon Starks before Bran, and I just find it odd that it says ”Brandon Stark could taste the blood” because the actual text very rarely (I can't recall any time this happens, but correct me if I’m wrong) refers to Bran as Brandon Stark, only other characters or Bran himself. So maybe it was an other Brandon?

1) I thought the paste was said to be made from acorns. 2) my theory about the cave scene is that Bran, BloodRaven, and the Night King were all the same person at different times. So When they all meet in the cave, it's like the same person in the same place at 3 different points of his life.

The intro...Little Finger, may he rest in peace, that little weasle! ...Great video TT!

After Bran sees the White Walker origin, Leaf tells him that they were at war and being slaughtered. I could be wrong but that took place around 8000 b.c. which was a time of peace between The Children of the Forest amd The First Men. This would mean that she is definitaley lying.

How does Old Nan know the crows are all liars... Can she understand their "caws"?

The Children of the Forest, Leaf, said that they created the Night King to protect them from "you" then adds "men". That caught my attention. Did she mean Bran or you as a collective "you" meaning all men? I thought that could be telling..tin foil.. great vid as usual man!

I would like to say thank you reading chapters in the book. I'm a visually impaired person Emily Sirota read books but as I've gotten older my vision test not allowed me to continue to be able to read them on my own. So it's very nice to be able to here chapters of the book 4 books so that I can still enjoy stories rather than just watching someone else's interpretation of the story. Again thank you to bring to life the joy of story telling for someone like me

In the Harry Potter series, Dumbledore keeps Harry Safe and befriends him, helps him...until it is just the right time to for him to die. What if tbe Children are keeping Bran safe, helping him until the army of the dead has slaughtered most of the living humans, and then they will use Bran by converting him to the new Night King to bring the Whites back under control?

All that is needed for a good read is a good background music as this and a narrator that can hold the attention. Good one T.T.

"You'll never walk again".... then Bran wargs into Hodor

The three eyed Raven is a sacrifice to the old gods and a condition of the pact between the children of the forest and men the Weir woods magic is maintained through the sacrifices when one Greenseer has been spent another is required. The Wier Woods and the people they consume are the source of the walls magic

I keep hearing references that Bran is incapable of sex, or having children due to his paralysis, but that isn’t necessarily true. Depending on what level of spinal cord damage he has, he could.

Sexual function doesn’t go away when you lose your ability to walk. It’s an autonomic function, like digesting food. Bran could do the deed himself.

Get your snacks It’s story time with TT:-)

Huge clue is when Bran tells them he saw his father, he is not dead. And Leaf says DO NOT CALL HIM BACK FROM DEATH!

I think the last Vision is the snow haired Child of the Forest. Giving a blood sacrifice to a young Weirwood Tree. As he mentions in another video, Weirwood Trees do not live off of the same thing other trees thrive on. Not of water, sun and soil but blood and magic. In this video it says the weirwood Trees will last forever if untouched. As regular Trees die and are replaced over the centuries. Maybe, in order for a Weirwood Tree to become a Heart Tree, The difference being the children of the Forest carved faces into these trees. Possibly a soul needs to be added by sacrifice in order for it to be used by GreenSeers and to house portions of the souls of the Children of the Forest when they die. Thus why the faces are all different and bleeding from the face. Just as Men would melt steel and iron to change it's figure and make Axe and sword. So too, the Children of the Forest are able to change and mold. To make eyes that can see, a home to rest in when their bodies have succumbed to time, a living library that shall not rot and wither with the ages. However, their materials did not come from lifeless ground, rock, and stone, but that which draws breathe, grows old, and blood flows. The souls of those they sacrificed to the weirwood, reshaping the soul to become the Heart Tree. The faces remnants of the body that used to house the soul now becoming the Tree itself. Men shall use the Forests, slay them down to build their houses and the Children of the Forest shall use the souls of men to build theirs.

Well done. I am reading for the past year and I really appreciate your opinion and points 👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👊🏼

What strikes me most about these passages from the books is how it resembles the creation of myth and history and perhaps GRRM's own creative process. Scrying, clearseeing or prophecy whatever is often brought about by eating or drinking substances e.g.flying ointment. Bran if you like is being absorbed into myth as a God as the story of Bran is like the Celtic God Bran who disguised himself and sacrificed himself in the cauldron of immortality to save mankind and his head subsequently sang and prophesied. So the Children are preparing Bran for sacrifice he may well mate for the "little death" beforehand. See The Dark Secret of Harvest Home. Characters meant for sacrifice are often "married" to the Goddess or her representative before death. See "The Golden Bough". I bet George has read all of this. The phases of the moon fit with Bran's visions beware the crescent sickle moon the moon of sacrifice Bran!

Hey was curious, what are all the human bones in the cave from? Don't think I've ever heard anyone mention this?

This is great stuff. Thank you. Have read the books twice and watched the series twice. Nice to hear your take on things. Much appreciated!

I do wish we could steer away from these very subjective notions of who is good and bad. I think Martin has created a story in which the lines between hero and villain are so blurred that it is erroneous to call the Children of the Forest evil, even if their goal is to drive humanity out of Westeros. If they wanted to wipe out humans in Westeros, it's originally their home and they were wiped out first. The victims of genocide rise up to take back their home... in another story they would be freedom fighters. As we continue to learn the truth behind everything, I think these notions of good and bad will become even more transparently inadequate.

"A murder of ravens erupted from the hillside. screaming their sharp cries, black wings beating above a white world. A red sun rose and set and rose again, painting the snows in shades of rose and pink." Crows sticking their sharp knives into the "sun" - Jon that just rose, and then set, but rose again - just an idea.. I might be looking in too deep, or GRRM is too damn genius...

Wow, great video. This took a lot of work and I am sooo grateful that you are still hear with Game of Thrones content. Just because the TV show was taken from us before it should have been, we fans are nonetheless still craving content. Thanks for this and all your GOT content 💜💙💚❤️

This is why your the only one i watch . Your game of thrones video’s are the best !! 46 minuts thank u so much !! Love the details u put in iT , and always use the things and history of the books . Love iT ! Thank u soooo muchh

There is definitely a connection between the crescent moon and the ceremonial sickle. Its possible that jojen was sacrificed to the heart tree. At first Bran thinks the paste is bitter but then it becomes sweet, this signifies him becoming more tree-like, like when he drinks the blood of the sacrifice in his vision.

I am so happy I found this channel it was hard for me to understand what exactly I was reading in the books lol so thank you!

Congratulations for one of the most compelling, beautifully rendered explanations of GOT that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Pure artistry

i threw this idea out there very recently.. in response to a video about potential betrayals in the final season. and that lead me to big ideas like not only maesters.. but the Children of the Forest... perhaps they never gave up.. whatever agreement they made with men was a deception.. and only to stay alive and hopefully find another opportunity to kill every man in Westeros.. the White Walkers are the red herring.. and they kept Blood Raven in that tree as a captive.. and his only way to be free was to manipulate Bran.. and now they are trying to use him as well...

My favourite video of yours Talking Thrones! I like when you read a whole chapter and help us decipher it with your knowledge. Much appreciated mate

Talking Thrones once again with my GoT fix. Between seasons are the long nights and this one is longer than any in recent memory. Thanks once again, from Liberia

Yayyyyy ... It's TT-time ... great vid Dan (as always) The new season can't come along frikkin quick enough !!! Peace and love to all Got & TT fans out there x

33:30 leaf claims to have seen 200 years, yet we see her create the night king. Wasn't that 1000's of years ago?

Do you think the children of the forrest will engage in war for or against mankind in the 8 season? Do you think the children will participate more consistently upcoming. Perhaps giving us a better understanding of what was, what is, and what shall be. Please respond I'm very curious about these mysterious children of the forrest as well as the black raven.

I wonder if the Starks are the descendants of the night king's family. And there's always a night king like winter is always coming. Seasons are cycles. The night king could be part of that cycle.

This is one of my favorite videos you have made so far! This was my favorite chapter from Dance with Dragons 🖤

Just re-watched this after about a year.. And I'd love to se some more of these type of videos. You excel in them. 👍👍👍

I believe the "I hope they grow up as close as brothers" was referring to Bran and Joffrey. When Ned was originally planning to leave Winterfell, he intended to bring all his children with them, he said this line about Bran and Joff, saying he hoped Bran's kind heart would help to bridge the gap between Stark and Lannister, since Rob already had it out for Joff. He wanted Bran and Joff to emulate himself and Robert.

Great intro! 46 min video, this man playing no games! Can't wait

What actually happened to Blackfish in the show? He apparently escaped the Red Wedding but I don't think we ever hear about him after that.

You’re producing really good videos...high five man your content is still great! So glad this is a long video! I can sit and relax for longer than 10-15 minutes. Take care!

Always a pleasure and to listen to your analyzes and thougts about the different the meaning of almost every single word i.e. possible clue inside the books and potentially the show. The way you are reading certain chapters of the books and related to one specific subject is awesome ( I didn't read because I am French speaking and apparently the books were not well translated) altough sometimes it's not always easy to understand. But I try my best and this story is really a brain teaser (puzzle) but so fabulous. Apparently Bran saw Winterfell burning that is also what will apparently happen in season 8 and the other thing that made me react also is again the color of the eyes which we heard Melissandre talking about when looking in Atya's ones but maybe here it has nothing to do as you are referring to the cave of secret. Ghost red eyes for exemple Jon's direwolf. Anyway this part was so interesting and brilliant and apparently the whole story of Got is just a huge numbers of lies which began in Season one Robert's rebellion. Impatient to see and hear the next one. Thanks a lot for your incredible job!

That thing blood raven said about looking and seeing is the same thing that that Syrio Farel said to arya

The blind fish remind me of the fish in asshai the river also goes to a sunless sea asshai is covered in shadows

damn dude. hands down best video ever!!!! I've been listening to you for years. I gotta listen to this one again. then re-read beans last chapter. thanks for your dedication my brother of the long night

EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR A CHAPTER DISCUSSION AND (AS USUAL) GREAT NARRATIVE JOB! THANK YOU...WoW..So much info, so much to discuss - I'm so excited... let's gets started!!!

Knowing what we know now and where Bran winds up....I truly think the 3 Eyed Raven is a diabolical, sinister character. He was positioning himself for take power over Men and defeat their out of control biological weapon.

46 minutes there is a God ..... Lol but thank you for the video please do more like this I listen to all your videos while I drive-in to work they keep me occupied so I don't freak out on people on the road Great video thanks

Once again Dan I love you! I definitely remember after reading this chapter having tons of questions and none of them had good answers. Jojen disappears conveniently right before the paste eating and creepy parts of the cave filled with dying male CotF and bones of animal and man. Why would you encourage a good character to embrace darkness if you're on the side of the light? The show missed so much to paint them in a more positive light.

Hey bud I've been studying your videos and theories which are phenomenal but if Hodor is sir Duncan son wouldn't hodor be a lot older.... I mean egg is rhaegar's Grandfather right

I am trying to find the video you mentioned about Danys time in the house of the undying, but I am not sure what it's called. Is it possible for you to link it? Thanks!

*** TALKING THRONES**** PLEASE READ Ive commented before wondering what your thoughts are on the wierwood trees? Have they been Easter eggs all along? Ive started watching all the seasons again and when Sam and gilly fled crasters keep a white came for her baby and Sam killed him the face I saw on that wierwood was the face of the 3 eyed raven. I know you believe he and the night king may have things in common or be working together. Also during that scene a ton of ravens show up??? I watch all your videos if I could support you on patron I would. I love your videos have watched them all!! DYING to know your thoughts on this perhaps maybe in a q&a video. Ive been paying close attention to every wierwood ive seen on the show. PLEASE PLEASE let me know your thoughts.

This is...honestly my favourite intro! now to watch the other 42 mins lol

The Three-Eyed Raven is a master manipulator. The Three-Eyed Raven may have wanted Bran Stark to become him and "know everything", so he could sit on The Iron Throne. Knowledge is power. With his knowledge of Jon Snow's true identity, Bran Stark as Three-Eyed Raven may have used it to his advantage and to manipulate Jon Snow into turning on and murder Daenerys Targaryen which Jon Snow would get banished as punishment. With Jon Snow banished and Dany dead, Bran/Three-Eyed Raven would become king.

Wowweee, a true bedtime story at age "65" oh my! Plzzz explain the very beginnings of this reading, the rest i cud follow. Thks again, grt take on reading frm book, hope u do again, was well worth it sir! I agree wth 1 of ur followers, ur grt on an audible..hmmmm, ijs.

Great vid as always Dan. Love the books. Far more in depth and detailed.. I do wonder if the cotf will be the final twist.. Would be insane if the were!

The 3 eyed raven is actually the trickster god(demon) like floki

I really like this idea of taking on a full chapter. It's evident here that the cave is very similar to the crypts of Winterfell. Best video from you yet!!!

Dreams become lessons and lessons becomes dreams

I said it from the beginning.. do not trust the Children.. They are fishy, hiding behind a wall that they helped build. Hiding, and not helping. They have so much history that they are keeping to themselves...I do not trust anyone of them.