Who is Coldhands?

Coldhands is one of the most mysterious characters in ASOIAF / Game of Thrones. Who is Coldhands? What is Coldhands? And who does he work for?
This video contains major spoilers for Book 5. If you've read Book 5 or seen Season 5, you can watch this video without having anything significant spoiled.
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Created with Toon Boom Studio 8.1, a Wacom Intuos Pen Tablet, and a Blue Yeti microphone.
Images and video from Game of Thrones used here under fair use.
The Night's King clip is from the Game of Thrones Blu-Ray special feature "Histories and Lore".
Thanks to the following supporters on Patreon:
@MrFifaSA, xandria lenert, @Vineyarddawg, zyad aloqily, Fred Petty, Jason Rattray, Madeline Cockrel, staffio the seventh.
Thanks to María Mariño Costa for the Spanish subtitles, and Agnés de Castellane for the French subtitles.

[@tsukuyomin]

Plot twist: He's Benjen anyways.

[@ALTDOK667]

Actually, his name is Jub-Jub.

[@ChadKakashi]

He could still be benjen in the books. GRRM might just be lying to not spoil the story.

[@akedus44]

@@ChadKakashi That still wouldn't align with Coldhand's death being "long ago" though.

[@tsukuyomin]

I do really want it to Benjen, but must admit that it seems unlikely

[@owlsayssouth]

@@akedus44 mabye leaf has adhd, and thinks anything in long term memory is "long ago".

[@sfh6915]

"standard psychic treeman shit..." Beautiful line this.

[@TrollWhoLikesGold]

+Helmut Schmidt I really enjoy when he digresses from the standard narration and slips in a couple of lines like that one

[@mollyocallaghan5065]

In his Jojen paste video he says 'magic in ASOIAF isn't Harry Potter swish and flick bullshit' and in his Gravedigger and Robert Strong videos he uses a Cleganebowl dubstep remix.

[@hartjohnson2975]

I think Coldhands was a warg, so when wights killed him his mind could go into an animal until his body was reanimated, then he was able to go back into his own body--changed (body like the wights), but his mind still in tact. A hint for what may happen with Jon Snow.

[@StevenFox80]

+Hart Johnson - I've been thinking the exact same thing. I don't see why that wouldn't be possible, especially considering that he seems to work for the Three Eyed Raven

[@StevenFox80]

+Elvin Khudiyev Well, he still is undead and if the cave destroys the magic animating them, it would also affect him even though he can control himself. However, this does bring up the thought, whether a warg could wights and if we could be seeing an undead vs undead battle at some point.

[@makouras]

+Hart Johnson This is the most plausible theory I've read for Coldhands. Well done!

[@GeekFurious]

+Hart Johnson Agreed. This is what I've thought for a while. And the reason we don't see him in the show is because it would reveal something they wanted to save for a major character. Same reason why we've gotten no LS. They don't want us to get too comfortable thinking about resurrections.

[@smallpseudonym2844]

+Hart Johnson I was about to post this exact same thing. That was my running theory for a long time now. It's just not completely satisfying because one always wants a name, an importance to the previous life of the character beyond "random warg". Which then got me wondering, what characters or people are wargs AND men of the Night's Watch? After all, most Wargs were wildlings; "enemies" of the Watch. That combination might give a clue as to his provenance. And I too thought of that particular method for Jon resurrecting; wargs his own reanimated corpse. It would be interesting because then he would become the prophesied King in this passage: -- "Glowing like sunset, a red sword was raised in the hand of a blue-eyed king who cast no shadow." -- Not necessarily what happens of course, but one possibility. I still think that particular passage applies to Stannis, though. It's tied to the description of Dany as a "Slayer of Lies." (The lie being that Stannis was AA.) /sigh. So many possibilities.

[@wykart932]

"when winds of winter finally comes" *looks in description* Published 2015 ...

[@mattapps4355]

exactly what i did. made me sad.

[@edpistemic]

I glanced down at the date too! People were already desperate for it to "finally" arrive over four years ago... X'(

[@BaggieSnave93]

2020 still no TWOW :(

[@edpistemic]

@@BaggieSnave93 This year, surely!

[@simonriley4131]

It's gonna come out I'm not even stressing. I believe in George

[@GhANeC]

Maybe Martin was just trolling on the manuscript

[@melanatedqueen6662]

That’s what I think. It was a question and he answered no and left notes in the margins and I think he knew it was bc they would be seen. I still think CH = Benjen

[@kaptain_komrade3708]

I mean the show definitely gives off that impression as well

[@210SAi]

Melanated Queen it’s Benjen until proven otherwise

[@Matthew-qq9nx]

​@@melanatedqueen6662the writing in the margin is from his editor

[@litojonny]

coldhands is obito

[@ShadowFlame7]

+litojonny lol

[@jsull81]

does that make bran Sasuke? lol

[@SilverSon87]

+litojonny Brynden Rivers is Madara

[@Fillthrill]

+litojonny Roose Bolton is Orochimaru, no doubt

[@Brandonhayhew]

I think bran becomes bloodraven new puppet?

[@sofiaa1616]

You forgot to mention water zombies. Patchface, anyone?

[@Lego6979]

+Sofia A Also the drowned men of Aeron Damphair.

[@gwynbleidd5674]

What if Davos is one of them? Was he saved by Mothers' mercy or did the drowned god have his hands involved?

[@sofiaa1616]

heikki soininen I will admit, that is something that has crossed my mind.

[@sofiaa1616]

Xqwzts Yeah, I didn't mention those because it's debatable whether they truly are "resurrected". Although, you could make the case for a few, including Aeron.

[@jtiss_1023]

+Xqwzts I dunno i always thought Damphair just did CPR on the people he resurected, but its more interesting this way. It can all tie in with the Deep Ones and thos oily greasy blackstones that are found everywhere

[@felassanabelas3735]

Personally I think Coldhands was a Stark. Bran knows the names and faces (thanks to the crypt statues) of the Starks of old, which would explain why he hides his face and true name from Bran

[@darkfact3137]

Or he's face was so rotten or damaged, that he didn't want to disgust and scare (even further) the kids that he had to help.

[@CatchMeUp]

This "Stone kings under Winterfell" theory makes a really strong case that ritualistic throat-slitting + warging into weirwoods was a standard practice used by the first Night's Watch/Kings of Winter to prepare for all the Long Nights to come. I think Coldhands is probably one of the men sacrificed in this way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaOmZXabrtyIhKc

[@cl5470]

I can see why that makes sense, but I disagree. Starks always put their identity as a Stark first. Ned puts Stark honor before his duty as Hand of the King. Arya is unable to become "no one" in her Faceless Men training. Lyanna chooses her Stark independence over becoming a Baratheon lady. Jon will almost certainly regain his identity as a Stark lord by dying and being brought back to life despite taking an oath as a man of the Night's Watch. Starks have an incredibly strong identity with the wolf and the importance of the wolf pack. Cold Hands is man who has kept his oath of office even after his death. He is the opposite of a Stark in some ways. Who he was in life doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is the job he swore to complete and the oaths he took.

[@dorsal-qb5fr]

My theory was that Coldhands was one of Bloodraven's loyal archers (the Raven's Teeth) that accompanied him to the Wall. These men would have been promoted along with Rivers when he was elevated to Lord Commander. At some point Lord Rivers and a compliment of Black Brothers were lost on a ranging north of the Wall in 252 AC. This led to Rivers becoming the Three-Eyed Crow and probably to the loss of the rest of his men; one of which could have then been resurrected by Rivers to serve him.

[@Stibsart]

+dorsal 2008 This. I'm fully expecting a character to appear in the Dunk and Egg tales....at some point....if GRRM ever gets there.

[@zappbrannigan2801]

+dorsal 2008 But if he was one of Bloodraven's archers, why would he give up his bow? Seems weird that he'd drop that for a sword.

[@dorsal-qb5fr]

Declan Brannigan True.

[@ZeroNumerous]

+Declan Brannigan Simple: Bows can't kill wights. We know wights attack Coldhands, and see this in Bran's POV chapters when his group is attacked. A bow just puts arrows in things, and kills men because it makes them bleed out or pierces their heart. Wights are impervious to both, but can be hacked apart or destroyed by fire. Coldhands cannot use fire for the same reason wights don't: He'll likely burst into flames. So a sword is the only logical choice for someone who needs to fight wights regularly and cannot use fire.

[@zappbrannigan2801]

***** Perhaps, i'd never considered that.

[@SmellyStains]

Leaf is probably the oldest character in the books/show and if she says cold hands died long ago, then chances are cold hands is very old and not likely to be a contemporary character

[@SmellyStains]

+Ben Cook and what do the others have to say?

[@ChadKakashi]

Okay makes sense but why does he hide his face?

[@VladofWallachia]

He could be a long-dead Stark whose face Bran has seen in the crypts. Or he may have Stark features, so that's why he trusts him.

[@MckaysProductions]

Like Bran the builder. He's been mentioned a lot, he helped build the wall and would look like a Stark. He would know about his statue being made as it was a tradition in his time as well and that would be a reason to hide his face from another Stark. I hope so would be neat.

[@highestrockslemontree5083]

@@MckaysProductions Yea. I agree with this and I think it’s quite possible that the Night’s King and Lann the Clever are alive as well which is what I took from grrm’s quote. Lann is often talked about as still being around haunting the bowels of casterly rock. Bran the builder is someone I’ve often heard be thought to be cold hands. And the Night’s king is a necromantic sorcerer who had his secret back door to north of the wall. Maybe he went through it and pretended to be one of Joramun’s wildlings.

[@longjohnteabag8291]

Maybe Coldhands is Karl Tanner. He was a fookin legend.

[@kevinarcanite5221]

Ovde Blizu FUCK TANNER

[@natefilms8146]

Cold hands killed Karl tanner

[@mayfalltribe4747]

U look like a fuckin ballsacc

[@ImmaTrainer]

Coldhands = Benjen = Daario = Euron

[@jtiss_1023]

+old nan =secret targ

[@benediktgopel5248]

+old nan = The Prince that was promised = The Night's King = Rhaegar Targaryen who survived = Ned Stark who was secretly a faceless man

[@ImmaTrainer]

+Benedikt Göpel Faceless Ned Stark = Syrio Forel = Jaqen H'ghar = Bloodraven

[@otoshamanadze4769]

bloodraven = Ser pounce = GOD

[@manicpixelgirl]

Hands of gold = Always cold = Coldhands = Time travelling Jaime Lannister

[@HelyneMay]

"I am your monster, Brandon Stark." I am stuck on the meaning of this line. It feels so tragic. Is it reproving? Is it a straight up revelation? It can have different interpretations, and these differences are important. When we know more about Coldhands, if we ever get to know more, this line will probably seem all the more poignant, or chilling.

[@gendelschild7704]

+Helyne May it really does seem a very tragic line, your right. when reading it the first time it struck me in the feels, but not entirely sure why.

[@SoggyPotatoMan]

+Helyne May Brans uncle was named brandon aswell wasnt he? so he could be reffereing to brans uncle when he said that. just saying.

[@HelyneMay]

SoggyPotatoMan Yes, it's true. But his uncle Brandon died tragically in King's Landing at the hands of King Aerys, so not sure how his body would end up at the Wall. There sure have been a lot of Brandon Starks in that family tree, though.

[@fitbullaussie9002]

I think Bran creates Coldhands at some point, hence the "your monster" comment to Bran. In a following chapter Daenerys refers to herself as a monster (for the burning of the child by Drogon).

[@wafflingmean4477]

Wait a second... we know that Bran created Hodor. George confirmed it is the origin of the character and while the reveal may be different in the books I think the fundamentals will be the same. Coldhands says "I am your monster, Brandon Stark." What if that means Bran was actually responsible for his resurrection? Bloodraven explains that time is not linear to the weirwood trees. So by interacting with them, Bran is capable of literally existing before his birth. He doesn't change the past, that doesn't mean through access to time in a non linear pathway he did not participate in the original events (I am very confident GRRM would never put time travel in ASOIAF. It would break the story and undermine the stakes). Perhaps he somehow resurrected Coldhands too.

[@retardosaurusrex360]

I think Coldhands is Keyser Söze

[@lettace390]

+Retardosaurusrex So that's where he's been hiding.

[@ramonalejandrosuare]

+Retardosaurusrex "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing George R.Martin he was a wight."

[@pipocacomcoca2010]

+Retardosaurusrex *cup breaks* everything makes sense now

[@umphreak9999]

+Retardosaurusrex and like that..............he's gone

[@alfriesmacdonalds5879]

+Retardosaurusrex So thats where he went.......

[@KillerKoolAid91]

yeah on the show if and when coldhands shows up he will be benjen just because its easier then introducing a whole new person. this way its just "hey guys remember jons uncle?!?! yeah well...hes not dead..kinda..hes a good white walker now!" books, who knows it could be some old king beyond the wall, another targaryen, or just some dead thing that refuses to talk about when it was alive. he could be literally anyone.

[@Xarr23]

Spot on

[@ibnkarim5371]

Thank you, someone with intelligence.

[@spracketskooch]

Then there's no point in discussing it, and we should just wait to see.

[@BooBuKittyPhuk]

U wrote this after the show came out

[@gabberhenk497]

I read the book and thought it was benjin Stark forsure because he wouldnt show his face and bran would recognize him ofcourse

[@Undefined14]

"when Winds of Winter FINALLY drops" -8y ago

[@artyjnrii]

"It'll be any decade now, promise!" - GRRM, probably.

[@bryguy1502]

One theory that I love but isn’t very likely is that Coldhands is Bittersteel, enslaved by Bloodraven after death.

[@Buenomars]

Coldhands is Hot Pie.

[@keeganshigh]

Buenomars isn't he a fatso?

[@melanatedqueen6662]

@keeganshigh a “fatso?” You’re probably not even old enough to be on this app.

[@210SAi]

Hot Pie is chillin at the Inn

[@bigpigeon2384]

Hot pie has tactical nukes

[@serotonin.scavenger]

Coldhands and Hot Pie... Sounds like the name of a brothel

[@vincentvega6268]

Coldhands is Amelia Earhart

[@davidryan7386]

That's " just a false alarm"

[@AaronMDubya]

I feel like coldhands is one of the old kings of winter, If i had to guess which one I'd say The Hungry wolf Theon Stark. This seems to work on a number of levels. Physically coldhands is described as thin and gaunt. As is Theon. Coldhands is described as ancient, a legendary figure. Both of which also fit Theon. Coldhands suspiciously hides his face and name from bran. This makes sense too considering that Bran has knowledge of not only the names of the old Kings of winter, but their likenesses as well thanks to the crypts. This would also explain his interest in helping Bran get to Bloodraven, who could have informed him who Bran is, explaining his motivation. One more thing, Theon is the ONLY king of winter to be physically described. Aside from a few like King Brandon "Ice Eyes" and Edrick Snowbeard whos descriptions end at their names literally no other kings are described as far as I know.

[@szbszig]

That's an interesting theory I never thought of.

[@wafflingmean4477]

The Starks are also said to have a distinctive look. For example, Craster recognised Jon immediately as a Stark, as he knew Benjen. Maybe part of the reason Coldhands hides his face is because he'll be recognised as a Stark. An ancient long dead one but still. Bloodraven would know Sam and Gilly know Jon, and so in the event Sam does eventually spill the beans and break his promise to Coldhands to keep Bran a secret, he and Bloodraven might not want Jon finding out there's a several hundred or thousand year old walking corpse that's the spitting image of him. It could be similar with Bran. One look at Coldhands and he'd recognise him as a Stark due to the look of Jon, Benjen, Ned and Arya.

[@derrickwatson4597]

"psychic tree guy shit" got a good chuckle out of that one.

[@Cissablack708]

Is anybody else just totally in love with this guy's voice? Or am I just weird? I mean Im pretty weird but yea I could listen to him talk all day

[@JMarchel]

Same. I fall asleep to his videos

[@Cissablack708]

@@JMarchel I do to! I have a set play list and everything, several playlists actually. Do you like Secrets of the Citadel, or Indeepgeek?

[@rotellam]

He does speak the Old Tongue, so that's pretty ancient.

[@nahortesfaldet2313]

The true tongue, which is even more ancient

[@daisyholton6881]

“When Winds of Winter finally comes.” *sitting here in 2022 wishing for the same thing*

[@sassythesasquatch6847]

I still believe he's Bran the Builder.

[@benediktgopel5248]

+Stannis Baratheon Never heard about that theory, but nice to hear about it :) Cool name btw

[@TheDelinear]

+Stannis Baratheon Yes, It makes sense that he's a Stark. Throughout the story we're told about "the Stark look" (Jon has it, Arya has it, Lyanna and Ned had it while Robb is said to take more after his mother), so the only reason I can think of for him hiding his face from Bran is because he has the Stark look and wants to avoid questions. Benjen doesn't fit for the reasons stated in the video, so a famous historical Stark is most likely.

[@MsKinsu]

Stannis Baratheon excatly, explains everything

[@sweatysovietmundi8412]

Stannis Baratheon Because you see it in the flames? Bitch!?

[@ClosedEyeVisualisations]

Nice theory, but bran the builder died over 8000 years ago. Nice though.

[@Houston7001]

Coldhands is a member of Raven's Teeth - a company of bowmen, commanded by Bloodraven back when he was Lord Brynden Rivers. Members followed him to the wall when he took the black and were with him when he disappeared (maybe).

[@jtiss_1023]

+Houston7001 Thats a pretty good guess, maybe in one of the future Dunk x Egg novellas we meet one and our collective investment in the character increases, maybe even someone of noble birth.

[@iOnlySignIn]

+Houston7001 The most reasonable guess by far. It is highly unlikely that Bloodraven would NOT share the benefits of his sorcery with his loyal followers who followed him through hell.

[@harrysiddall3392]

But then what would be the point of hiding his face? Bran and company aren't going to recognise a random member of Raven's teeth. If it's because he's disfigured why would he not explain that? It seems obvious that hiding his face without some sort of explanation as to why would cause distrust in the group. I think its more likely he's a old Stark of some kind and he's hiding his face because Bran might recognise him (Bran has been to the crypts). It also feels a bit anti climatic for this character who's true identity fans have spent years pouring over the books to discover the identity of turns out to just be some random soldier who was loyal to bloodraven.

[@sarangithwijesinghe3134]

"standard psychic treeman shit" 😂😂

[@sondregrotle3605]

Podrick is Coldhands.

[@chronikhiles]

Sondre Grotle Pfft. Obviously it's Hot Pie.

[@martinkunev9911]

The only reason Coldhands would hide his face is to not be recognized. Since he's been there for a long time, it doesn't look like Bran or any of his companions have seen him. Could it be the case that one of the dead starks (whose statues Bran has seen in the crypts) became Coldhands?

[@user-mp1is6ys7m]

Or to avoid scaring everyone further

[@Prophetofthe8thLegion]

@@user-mp1is6ys7mI mean they already know he’s dead so what’s the point if that’s the case?

[@RobbieMcD]

Your videos are the far and away the best GOT analyses available, always get excited when I see a new one has been uploaded!

[@VolkXue]

Coldhands is Jon Snows mother!

[@RYNOTVPLUS3]

+adam tarver R+C=J confirmed

[@samlewis3555]

Lyanna Stark? Sure

[@alvinnk2631]

Hahaha... this one wins.

[@BlielPol]

So, he hides his face to conceal his identity, but also he died a long time ago. How could anyone recognise him, then? Either this "long time ago" means a matter of decades at most, with people still alive who would know him, or either he has some facial feature that would link him to a specific historical figure or lineage known both by Sam and Bran's party. Probably the latter, since non of those characters are even twenty years old (except for Hodor). But overall, this mistery doesn't seem to have enough clues about it to start making solid theories.

[@highestrockslemontree5083]

The crypts in winterfell have statues with facial features accurate enough for bran to recognize.

[@soxpeewee]

He's not rotting so he's identifiable

[@ShaikhMohammedYunus]

whenever i miss GOT i watch your videos....you got great theories and it really makes me think about story in a different way

[@AltShiftX]

+Shaikh Mohammed Yunus Cheers man (:

[@esperthebard]

Coldhands is such an intriguing character. I was disappointed when he did not appear in the television show. Of course, he might come in the next season, but that still leaves us without the wonderful scene at the Black Gate from A Storm of Swords.

[@jonathanferguson7791]

Hey, future here. Don't worry he'll be in the show, full reveal too BUT the show will mega go downhill and be regarded largely as the worst final two seasons to ever exist.

[@Bakechochin]

'Standard Psychic Tree-Man Shit', new album name. Claiming that now.

[@musicf3b]

Maybe he's one of Bloodraven's Raven-teeth soldiers. 200 of them were sent to the wall with him.

[@kevinmoore4237]

Nice work - I love how you go from scholarly to hilarious without changing your voice. I think you're on the right track with Coldhands being someone who Bloodraven knew from his days as Hand of the King. Too bad Aemon never became aware of him.

[@prinzessinnenundraben802]

"Coldhands is a really cool character." - Thank you for pointing that out.

[@stephenascottcbc]

I love these videos. I can tell you out so much time and effort into doing them. Hope your able to continue to do them for as long as possible

[@saidmohamed4879]

Thanks! You should check out “His dark materials” would love to see your breakdown on it!

[@bramf4172]

4:21 wasn't will the one that was beheaded by Eddard?

[@AltShiftX]

+Bram F In the show, Will is beheaded, but in the books, Gared is the one who escapes and is executed.

[@virgilvoneos9736]

+Bram F Only in the HBO adaptation of the books. In the prologue of Game of Thrones (the book) Will is killed by the hands of a reanimated Sir Waymar Royce. N.: Sorry if I have incurred in a grammatical error, english is not my first language, not even the second one.

[@16m49x3]

+Virgil Von Eos Not trying to create a debate here, but people writing sorry for a potential grammatical error annoys me endlessly. 1. You don't have anything to be sorry about, as you most likely are doing your best.(You wouldn't write incorrectly on purpose) 2. You imply others are rude enough to be hostile about it because of your defensiveness. 3. You could learn to speak better by risking people correcting you instead of trying to prevent it.

[@bramf4172]

Alt Shift X thanks!

[@chadsknnr]

+Bram F NED STARK IS COLD HANDS ! ! ! ! :) #NedIsNotDead!

[@13CL456]

This is the second video I've watched of yours (Just got done watching the "Who is Azor Ahai?" video), and I must say that they're awesome! The visuals, the immense detail, and even the humor mixed in, all of it is great. Much respect, and you've got a new subscriber!

[@mityboosh]

thank you for your time,,its very much appreciated :) keep em comin

[@tictacufo3326]

Mundungus Fletcher is Coldhands.

[@georgeborisov1836]

I think he's 2pac, they do say his hands are black right?

[@wheatleythebrick2276]

PFFFFT

[@210SAi]

He does get around.....

[@megansimplystitch]

Thanks for the videos. Really interesting stuff in easy to understand terms. Keep up the good work! I've just subbed.

[@Wolfcat0]

I can see the work you put into your video. Great video!

[@OmenGaming69]

Could have Coldhands been one of the old First Rangers? This would explain his knowledge of the north, the animals and his capabilities in combat.

[@chrisjenner2031]

I really like the Old Nan is Shiera Seastar theory and is bitter at Bloodraven, however stupid it is.

[@sophiawilson8696]

+Shiva why would Shiera Seastar bitter? she one who turns him down about million times the offer of marriage.

[@3DaiYo4Kai56]

Another upload that's nothing less than great! Keep it up Alt+shift+X

[@Sam501UK]

oh thanks a lot alt shift X! just seen this new video pop up.and instantly wee'd in excitement... new pants needed..

[@EllinonEnosis]

I guess that Coldhands IS Benjen Stark after all....maybe NOT in the books but yes in the tv show....

[@iceseeker5452]

“When winds of winter finally comes” - 5 years ago 💀

[@Sundcown]

killed it once again. Excellent work

[@darkfact3137]

I think The Three eyed Raven can even warg into wights (once it's taken from the night king control). I think he was warging into this body. And I bet the body is of Waymar Royce. That was the whole point of that first scene of his death - the origin of coldhands.

[@yuzif]

Can we get a video about Varys please? id like to hear more about what his plans might be, his relationship with Illyrio and the theory that Varys never lies.

[@diedie5]

Well, I think that one of the most important lines that you touched on was leaf saying that he was killed a long time ago. This leads me to believe that he was a historical figure of some sort. Long ago to someone as old as leaf would be longggg ago to us.

[@nsowers194]

Coldhands definitely has a part still to play in the narrative. Looking forward to WOW!

[@Rawc90]

:O I REQUESTED THIS!!! THANKYOU!!!

[@sideshowdayv]

I'm a supporter of the theory that he is the nights King

[@JK_2998]

+David Shanahan But is a good guy?

[@sideshowdayv]

Flying Spectacles Maybe he's trying to atone or his sins?

[@JK_2998]

David Shanahan He's 8000yrs + old, he should have done it by now :D

[@sideshowdayv]

+Flying Spectacles maybe he believes that he'll never fully atone

[@chip123451000]

+Flying Spectacles The white walkers, might not be that bad, they nights king is trying to make everyone immortal and work together as a collective whole, but in doing so he is taking away their free will. But its free will that is responsible for horrible people, like ramsey or Joffery or walder frey. So The nights king might not see himself as a "bad guy" although i think he is tricking bran, by bringing him to bloodraven.

[@1987Liono]

Coldhands is coming. Season 6 baby. 606.

[@mlgbantz9517]

Benjen....

[@pjohns22]

Love it Alt!

[@witz]

after finishing the audiobooks every question i have somehow you’ve made a video on from 7 YEARS AGO. we must protect GRRM at all costs im too invested in this lore man

[@hanstonra]

Coldhands is Bran from the future. "Your monster, Brandon Stark." I don't know why I just thought of that.

[@Serryy]

Makes no sense, because Bran of the future is a tree.

[@juanpablomina1346]

+Hans Nova The 'Your monster, Brandon Stark' line is referring to Bloodraven, not Coldhands.

[@chip123451000]

+Hans Nova Think about it like he was saying I'm your monster, my name is Brandon stark, i think cold hands is the nights king, working with bloodraven to trick bran to bring down the wall with the horn of winter.

[@juanpablomina1346]

+chip cobelens Again, Meera asks Coldhands who sent him (i.e. Bloodraven). Coldhands says something like 'A friend. Dreamer, wizard, call him what you will. The last greenseer' and Bran says "A monster", to which Coldhands replies "Your monster, Brandon Stark."

[@hanstonra]

Juan Pablo Mina Bran is Bloodraven, Jojen is Coldhands, confirmed.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I still believe it's Benjen and I just think George wrote no so as not to spoil some big revelation towards the end of his series. I mean he knew that his manuscript would eventually fall into the hands of fans so why would he leave a spoiler even for his editor. Martin is too smart for that and he doesn't spoil stuff even for his editor or for Elio & Linda when writing World of Ice and Fire.

[@juanpablomina1346]

+Brandon Ottinger (JaqenH'ghar80) But Leaf said Coldhands was killed long ago. That doesn't really apply to Benjen.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

Juan Pablo Mina could be a red herring, she knows she's talking to Bran and maybe doesn't want to reveal that they are using his uncle like a puppet. Bran says that Coldhands is very familiar to him. Why would Coldhands be hiding his face so much around him if he wasn't someone Bran would instantly recognize?

[@juanpablomina1346]

So you think Leaf is lying... Interesting. We don't know if he covered his face around Sam and Gilly, but George didn't show us the moment when Coldhands, Sam and Bran's group were all together. That could have told us if he was systematically hiding his face from every living thing or only from Bran's group. But I'd say he's hiding from everyone. And I think Bran would know if the thing that escorted him for such a long trip was his uncle.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

Juan Pablo Mina That's just it though Sam and Gilly only see Coldhands up to the gate at the Nightfort as Coldhands can't pass through. Sam doesn't know what Benjen looks like as Benjen went ranging North before Sam arrived at the Watch so even if he saw his face it wouldn't matter. As far as Bran knowing it's his Uncle even with him covering his face well Coldhands could easily be changing his voice not to mention his voice is probably changed just by being dead and re-animated (voicebox probably works differently). Bran definitely has thoughts of him being familiar and starts to recognize him and Coldhands senses this and ends the conversation and after this doesn't speak much to Bran. Perhaps the most damn evidence though is that all the other theories have been debunked. Bloodraven was discovered to be the three-eyed-raven, the Night's King is leader of the white walkers, Will was killed by Ned so how would he make it back up there to become Coldhands, and if you're gonna say it's Weymar while using "he was killed long ago" to debunk Benjen then Weymar is debunked. So the only logical conclusion is either he's someone we haven't met like a Stark that served at the Wall at some point or he is Benjen and Leaf was trying to throw them off.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

Juan Pablo Mina I think it's Benjen but it's going to be a big reveal but it's too deductible and George knows that so he's got throw some red herrings out there. He loves to do that whenever he has some story lines that are too predictable.

[@samuelbrooks9283]

Could you pretty please make a video on the Martell scheme theory or the Greyjoy scheme theory!? I don't care how long it is, I could watch your videos for days and look forward too them, keep up the great work!

[@a1b3do]

your videos are fascinating. thanks

[@TheAmetralladora]

I love how they made Benjen into Coldhands anyways, even though GRRM said "NO" in red ink

[@melanatedqueen6662]

GRRM was answering a question and it could have just been that he wasn’t ready to reveal his identity.

[@jackwalters3928]

Maybe he's Bran from the future. Or a faceless man who became a white walker, but death did not allow him to turn completely like them since he's his [death's] servant, and perhaps the house of white and black and their religion in general, consider white walkers a blasphemy. Maybe he's a Targeryan who became a white walker. Maybe he is not a white walker but a zombie creature just like Gregor Clegane. This one however is free and not bound like Gregor. Also, since as far as I know Gregor did not turn into a zombie in the books, but Cold Hands was one and they didn't show him, they decided to turn Mr Clegane into that type of a zombie in order to fill the empty space of Mr Hands.

[@fluxrssfluxrss]

great vid, as always!!

[@byebyecitybyebye]

thanks so much again for doing this video! was hoping you would address coldhands.

[@byebyecitybyebye]

+byebyecitybyebye "you know, standard psychic tree-man shit" was my favorite part. lol

[@orcblood9999]

Well we know now, at least on the tv show

[@everettclunie3525]

+Lloyd Zed good question, we'll have to wait and see when the winds of winter finally comes out

[@NotFlappy12]

it's not a question

[@nurgoleev]

If we ignore that remark in the original script for ADWD, Benjen seems to be the most likely candidate. Nothing in the books contradicts this theory

[@everettclunie3525]

+Mage craft ok, I'll clarify. Is benjen stark cold hands in the books like he is in the show? That's the question we are now debating and the one I was referring to in my comment. What do you think, was Martin just trying to misguide his editor because he knew it would get out if he copped to it? Or did the show writers make this change for the show and Martin does in fact have different plans for the character?

[@gabrielpasquino4270]

4:33 this line conflicts with the theory, it's weird there's no hard evidence for any theory

[@7searchful]

Hey man Make a video on Ice Dragons... whether they'll be on the show or the books.

[@jtiss_1023]

+7searchful Yess please and Sea Dragons

[@7searchful]

Jav Tiss Sea Dragons?! wow I didn't even hear about that theory.

[@jtiss_1023]

7searchful Its not a theory, like they exist, just not sure if theyll appear in the books. They could, with all the extensions into the Deep Ones, drowned god and all those other water based stuff. But yeh Nagga was the first sea dragon and the grey king, predecessor of the iron born, killed it

[@edm1rr]

+7searchful Jon Snow is the ice dragon. It is known. The ''ice dragon'' only appears in his chapter. ;) There will be no real ice dragon.

[@HebrewsElevenTwentyFive]

+Kiss Edmond Mind. Blown.

[@VaguelyIntelligent]

fantastic video once again!

[@shawnyetman6875]

alt shift x. love ur videos. get super excited wenever I see one posted. wish I could afford to donate cash u deserve it more than anyone I have seen. thank u plz keep em coming. but sir pounce really lol

[@serotonin.scavenger]

Y'all be asking what and who Coldhands is, but you never ask _how_ Coldhands is.

[@neonmarkov6544]

I'm still waiting for you to make one of these for (f)Aegon, I am really disappointed with everyone saying hes just gonna die suddenly like Renly did, I don't think his carachter was made for that purpose

[@210SAi]

It’d be a complete waste of time considering how delayed his introduction was and yet how much his plot dominated the latest 2 books

[@210SAi]

blaine shafer it’s been a while since I read them so I wasn’t sure if he appeared in AFFC or not

[@lewismilesberry1702]

"You know.. Standard psychic tree man shit" lmao, I love this channel

[@riva1004]

I screamed when I saw this in my subscriptions.

[@Rayxster]

I honestly think Coldhands is Brandon "the Builder" Stark. "Author George R.R. Martin had stated that Bran the Builder might be a mythical character, noting he is as as far removed from the timeframe of the books as Noah or Gilgamesh is from ours in the real world." So if Coldhands really is 8000 years old, that would put him right around the time The Wall was built, by Brandon Stark. Even if it isn't know where Brandon died or IF he ever actually lived, I still think it's a nice theory.

[@Jooooger]

What if Coldhands was a novice skinchanger, was killed by Others, but instead of his consciousness entering the forest or some animal he reentered his reanimated dead body. Now he's trapped in it for his second life. This would explain the ravens, his apparent autonomy, and why he is dead.

[@shanej8326]

Holy shit that's deep

[@adamcummings20]

Maybe he warged into his half-wight body (as he was being made into a wight)

[@PittsburghSonido]

"when Winds of Winter finally comes" ********seven and a half years later******** 😵😵😵

[@MtFuji-rm3zq]

Great video on a mysterious character in a song of Ice and Fire ☺

[@TEUNSreviews]

Why does it say "Jon Smith" at 7:24 am I missing something?

[@AltShiftX]

+TEUNSreviews It's just to represent the idea that Coldhands is some random Night's Watchman of no particular importance... the 'John Smith' of Westeros.

[@TEUNSreviews]

+Alt Shift X I see

[@Nexus-6]

+TEUNSreviews Jon Smith = John Doe, a Westorosi everyman, an ordinary man of the Night's Watch.

[@thenickseditious]

Jon snow will be resereucted as Jon smith

[@AlexD19931]

+Nick Taddia Then he'll marry Pocahontas.

[@anticipate5605]

I cant believe HBO didn't include cold hands in the series,would be good if they shown him before game of thrones ends

[@sythlorde]

+anticipate jordan everyone has a character from the books they would love to see in the series, so get in line

[@ellieaquitrain]

If only you'd waited a few more weeks...

[@wschippr1]

+Leo Levontine why? The show regularly combines characters and probably did so here. GRRM said cold hands isn't benjen, so that is either true or he's trolling us.

[@davidryan7386]

They do, he is benjen in show.

[@legamingguitarist3876]

Hi +Alt Shift X Great video as always. I was wondering, would be able to make a video about Patchface's possible relationship to the Drowned God or about Sothoryos and Ulthos if it's okay? Keep up the good work man :)

[@nicholascoombs5146]

Excellent job once again! Thank you for creating this video. Random question to you (because this is what I plan to do): will you wait to watch the sixth season before Winds of Winter comes out? It seemed appropriate to experience the Game of Thrones timeline in its true form before overlapping the deviated version that show has created for us. I just wonder what that will do for future GOT theories, but I do not doubt that you will still continue to produce exceptional analyses of the material.

[@unstoppable1222]

Except Coldhands IS Benjen Stark in the show. Guess that's creative freedom right there!

[@MEQ1955]

Coldhands Is Benjen Stark 100%

[@mcolon335]

Agree.

[@genuinecluelessidiot5254]

George Martin debunked that theory :(

[@MEQ1955]

Adil Amin idk lets wait the next ep

[@Neytiiri69]

In the show, Coldhands might be Benjen Stark George Martin debunked the theory in the books, there's a lot of changes between the original books and the show now And, I don't remember but, do someone ever mentions Coldhands in the show ? Before this video (I didn't read the books), I knew nothing about Coldhands, I didn't know he was supposed to help Bran to get Bloodraven

[@arra2193]

+Gaetan in the preview for the next episode we see a hooded figure on a mount (maybe a horse or elk?) rescuing meera and bran from the white walkers. People think it's him.

[@lelouch0chan]

i love listening to your voice :) great channel by the way! :)

[@AltShiftX]

+lelouch0chan Cheers mate!

[@danieljohnson1213]

Nicely done.

[@swatson5699]

Benjen isn't necessarily Coldhands. The TV show and the books are going to share some similarities but also some differences. That, or the person saying that they spoke to Martin could have been lying.

[@JBrander]

Turns out Benjen actually is Coldhands

[@ibnkarim5371]

You didn't really understand was he is trying to say or did you ?

[@Mateo12485]

+Cassius96 D&D said be Benjen is coldhands

[@ibnkarim5371]

Mateo12485 No, they said that he is Coldhands in the Show. But they've never said directly that he is also Coldhands in the books. He is obviously Coldhands in the Show, I've never denied that. But this doesn't have to say anything about the books. A lot of characters are mixed together in the show. Jorah Moromont plays the part of Jon Connington with his Greyscale, Yara obviously replaced Victorian Greyjoy this season, Bronn replaced Ilyn Payne in the last season and also (as far as I know) in this season, Jamie replaced several characters for the Dorne subplot. Jaqen H'ghar is the Kindly Man in the show even though it seems that he is someone totally the books. Some people are suggesting than Sansa will replace Lady Stoneheart etc. etc, Benjen being Coldhands in the show says nothing about the Coldhands of books. In the books he died a long time ago.

[@lpfan2818]

+Cassius96 A long time is very vague.

[@ShaikhMohammedYunus]

since in last episode Bran and Meera looked kinda fucked up i think there are chances that coldhands help them survive........

[@christafinias]

+Shaikh Mohammed Yunus I was thinking this, either cold hands or an ice dragon (might be a bit early)I hope they don't try and over simplify it and do something like 'uncle benjen to the rescue' (unless he is, cold hands)

[@ShaikhMohammedYunus]

+DaHuzyBru there is no other way for two kids to survive a rath of zombies.....

[@ShaikhMohammedYunus]

+christafinias i dont want Benjen Stark to be coldhands.....and i hope meera survives....brans survival is obvious

[@jackbandit2114]

It was Benjen to the rescue, but that doesn't mean he is cold hands. The show might skip cold hands altogether. Although I've never read the books Benjen's appearance does sound a lot like this descriptions. I guess we'll have to wait and see more.

[@jackbandit2114]

DaHuzyBru Oh hmm interesting. Yeah I dunno. It doesn't really matter to me either way, I just find it interesting.

[@SpirusOfH]

"He's also dead." fuck me that made me spit all over my keyboard. That fucking delivery.

[@Wratach]

Thanks for the vid :)

[@tio9896]

finally!!!!!

[@ggt342ss]

+Tio989 ding ding ding ding

[@rudy_4ier]

+Frank Johnson boom

[@butterbubbles5375]

So... Coldhands is, like, Olaf? ✔️ Reanimated by mysterious royal who just wants to nope outta their responsibilities. ✔️ Has their own willpower and mind. ✔️ Can communicate with other creatures that humans seemingly can’t. ✔️ Is born of the cold, and is seemingly unaffected by snow. ✔️ Loyal to their “liege lord” But is capable of emotions. ✔️ Accompanies a retarded companion to indulge on their whims (No, I’m not talking about Hodor. Don’t tell me Bran isn’t a little demented). ✔️ The result of magic in a seemingly magicless world, where said magic is rejected within its society. ✔️ Is part of a multi-billion dollar franchise. Yep, he’s basically the less annoying version of Olaf.

[@MoHossam94]

_This will all make sense when I'm older..._

[@noel12th]

Every single one of your videos is gold. When do you expect Winds of Winter?

[@irishdeano92]

Love your videos. :)