Why Kristian Nairn (Hodor) doesn’t think the Game of Thrones ending “deserved” backlash

Why Kristian Nairn (Hodor) doesn't think the Game of Thrones ending "deserved" backlash

As a fan of both literature and quality television, I must say that Kristian Nairn’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. His tale serves as a testament to the power of parental encouragement and the serendipity that often accompanies success.

Actor Kristian Nairn, known for portraying the gentle giant Hodor on the hit series “Game of Thrones,” is currently promoting his newly released memoir titled “Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships, and Surprising Tales.” He shares many recollections about the show, expressing a viewpoint that it received undue criticism during its final season, which sparked much debate among fans.

Nairn expressed his displeasure over the controversial ending of the show, in which Daenerys Targaryen burned down King’s Landing before being killed by Jon Snow, to Screen Rant. He clarified that while he acknowledges the ending isn’t flawless, he is not a scriptwriter and most people aren’t either. However, he feels let down because the show was highly respected, and he believes it didn’t deserve the admiration it received. Nairn suggests that no matter how they chose to end the series, it would have upset some viewers due to personal expectations for Daenerys’ fate, especially when those expectations were so dramatically different from the actual outcome.

Although people say that Daenerys acted out of character and stuff and so quickly, but I just don’t understand how they didn’t see that throughout the show. I was waiting for it to happen the whole way. The signs were there guys. She actually said at one stage that as soon as Drogon’s big enough, she’s going to burn the ass out of King’s Landing. And what happened? She did exactly what she said. The only criticism I have, and it’s not really criticism, because I understand budgetary issues and stuff, but I just wish it was longer.
I don’t think those longer episodes worked. I think it would’ve been better to have more episodes. The Michael Bay thing, that’s how I explain it. There was a little of a sprinkling of Michael Bay put over the last season with the explosions and lots of dragons. They’d given us some of that, which had given us a hunger for them, and then all of a sudden, they were ‘you’re dinner’s here, maybe it’s not as appetizing as you thought.’ Sometimes the thought of dinner is better than dinner.

It’s accurate that Daenerys had discussed destroying cities long before she incinerated King’s Landing, and she was indeed known for her extreme methods – recall when she punished the Masters of Meereen by tying them up in public? However, this wasn’t enough to appease many viewers, and I concur with Nairn that the series could have benefited from additional episodes to gradually introduce the climactic plot twists.

Nairn expressed his disappointment, saying, “I can only wish more people appreciated it as much as I did, since I truly enjoyed it.” He found himself perplexed by viewers’ reactions to certain scenes involving Peter [Dinklage], particularly those where he walked through the ruins. Many spectators had hoped for a gruesome death for Cersei, but Nairn felt that her and other characters’ deaths were masterfully executed, like a Renaissance painting. To him, it was an artistic achievement, with stunning visuals, music, and details, yet he found himself disagreeing with those who criticized it as subpar.

Kristian Nairn knows he’s never going to “top” Game of Thrones

Elsewhere, Nairn talked about how his mother was actually the one who convinced him to try out for Game of Thrones in the first place. “She’d read the books entirely, and that’s what really turned me on to what the show was going to be. I had no clue,” he told PEOPLE. “I was always interested to try out for auditions, [but] I definitely would’ve been more enthusiastic about the whole audition process if I’d known [what was to come]. But I don’t think any of us knew. None of us knew what that was going to turn into.”

The first couple of years, it felt like walking the plank. It was like trepidation. And then after that, [there] was a bit of expectation. After that, we were all kind of wishing to make sure it was as good as the previous seasons.

Among all the memorable scenes in the show, Nairn found Hodor’s death scene particularly impactful in the sixth season. This poignant episode incorporated elements of time travel, undead characters, and an explanation for Hodor’s limited vocabulary. It was revealed that Bran Stark, a character with the ability to traverse time and influence others, took control of Hodor when he possessed his younger self during a visit to a long-lost Winterfell. This event had a domino effect, resulting in the Hodor we knew throughout the series. In the heartrending finale, Hodor valiantly held a door against an onslaught of zombies, shielding Bran Stark and Meera from harm. Tragically, Hodor gave his life to ensure their escape.

The individual has been frequently asked to clarify the events that transpired there, to which he responds, “In essence, it didn’t occur in reality. I don’t possess a scientific rationale for it.” He acknowledges that time-travel hasn’t happened in our world, and if it did, it wouldn’t have made the headlines. He continues, “I can’t provide an explanation… Consider it as a giant quantum leap,” Nairn stated. “Upon reading the script, I thought, ‘This is really fascinating.’ However, I couldn’t fathom just how captivating it would turn out to be. Even during filming, it was a significant moment. It took weeks to shoot. Yet, I never anticipated such an overwhelming response.

Nairn admits he might not grasp all the details of the scene, yet acknowledges its impact is undeniable. He ponders, “How often does a character who’s barely spoken and has been in the shadows for five seasons take center stage like this?” He finds it extraordinary, truly. But what makes him most content is the fact that he touched people deeply with his performance. Even if he never achieved anything more in his career – which he already has, making him pleased about it – just leaving such an impression would have been enough for him to feel satisfied.

Beyond his career as an author, Nairn also appeared in television series such as “Our Flag Means Death”, a highly acclaimed pirate comedy that garnered a dedicated fanbase. Simultaneously, he acknowledges the unlikely possibility of matching the success of his previous major acting role on “Game of Thrones”. As he put it, “I won’t surpass this [performance]. That was my debut acting gig.

Although he may not surpass the unique character of Hodor from Game of Thrones, he can continue to take on distinct and varied roles in his future work.

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