KFC Relives ‘Game of Thrones’ Hodor In New Hilarious Ad

Hodor is alive after all! After dying while literally holding the damn door, the gentle giant is back with an even better gig than carrying Bran Stark around beyond the Wall. In the newest ad from KFC Ireland, “Game of Thrones’s” Kristian Nairn did a parody of his character, Hodor, to promote the fast food chain’s newest food combo, the chicken and rice box. We’re still reeling from Hodor’s death in “Game of Thrones” Season 6 (we’re looking at you, Bran!), but this ad actually helped us move on from such a traumatic TV event.

Hodor’s ‘Hold The Door’ Game of Thrones Backstory

In “Game of Thrones,” Hodor’s character is a huge but simple-minded giant who’s only able to say the word “Hodor” in whatever he says (hence his name, which everyone believed so). Hodor then became Bran Stark’s guardian and helped the young boy escape Winterfell when Theon Greyjoy took over the castle. He later sacrificed himself by holding the door against the White Walkers in order to save Bran and Meera from a horde.

Sam Coleman as Hodor in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by HBO

It was then revealed that Hodor’s real name was Wylis. As a young boy, he suddenly heard a strange voice saying “hold the door” while feeding their horses. The phrase bored into his mind when he suffered an epileptic attack (again, Bran!). The words then smeared together to form “Hodor,” a word that remained in the young boy’s mind and language for the rest of his life.

The strange voice was actually Meera’s during the present day, as she was yelling it to him for her and Bran to escape the White Walkers. It turns out that her voice traveled through time and into his young version’s brain. This happened simultaneously with Bran also traveling back in time during Hodor’s youth and warging into his mind as well.

Chicken and Fries! Chicken and Fries! Chicken and Rice?

In the ad, Nairn is preparing for the huge lunch rush when a horde of hungry people came pouring in the fast food, all demanding the usual combo of chicken and fries. The pressure of the orders then made Nairn have a panic attack and then does his familiar Hodor-ing. These people are no White Walkers, but a “hangry” person is also one to be afraid of.

In an echo to “hold the door,” Nairn then begins his “chicken and fries” refrain. Then, just as he reaches his peak panic, his refrain turned into “chicken and rice.” A random guy then approaches the counter to claim his order.

Isaac Hempstead Wright and Kristian Nairn in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo by Helen Sloan/HBO

Whoever came up with this spoof is a genius. As any “Game of Thrones” fan knows, Hodor’s death was one of the show’s iconic moments. For KFC to use this as a platform to sell the chicken and rice combo is downright impressive. Seriously, “Lunchtime is coming?!” Purely epic.

Of course, seeing him back in action is always a welcome treat. He is one of the show’s most beloved characters, and his death hurt a lot of fans hard because of how innocent and pure he is.

But hey, at least this ending’s way happier.