Edd Tollett was left in command of the Wall in season six with only one last order given by Jon: not to knock the Wall down while he was gone. Though through no fault of his own, that didn’t go so well, did it? Dolorous Edd is not a lucky man, though he is lucky enough to have survived until the end of the series. Or is he? Actor Ben Crompton has a few very Edd-like things to say about that, as well as about season eight as a whole.
Interviewed by Metro, Crompton admitted he was as pleased as he was surprised that his character had survived so long, though he is pretty sure Edd wouldn’t agree:
“I’m grateful and so is my mortgage. In a way I’m surprised just because, just for a character to have that longevity in a show where characters get killed off so regularly,” Crompton says. But for poor Edd, it’s a different story: “In a way it’s penance for him. He’s a character who, of all the characters, he’d be quite happy if he dropped off this mortal coil, and in a way it’s punishment for him to have to endure everyday life.”
But this story isn’t about him (a fact with which I’m sure Edd would be quite content.) There is a greater tale to tell in the remaining six episodes, and the big question seems to be whether the show will stick the landing or not. Crompton is, as ever, realistic about it: “Whatever we do there’ll be fans who love it and fans that won’t be satisfied. However [showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss] choose to end the show there’s always going to be people who have their opinion about how the show should end.” That said, he adds that he’d be “surprised if people are disappointed because there’s a lot of effort and love gone into this, and I think it’s very satisfying. So hopefully everyone will agree.”
So, eschewing the greater end-game questions, what do you think about Edd’s fate in season eight? Is our favorite gloomy crow likely to survive the wars to come, much to his disappointment? If not, how do you imagine he will fall? Heroically? Comically? Grimly?
Pretty much on point. Everyone has their own building cooked up for years and some people are going to be flat out wrong and hate it.
As long as it’s satisfying, I’ll be happy, though I’m hoping the Stark girls get a happy ending.
Though I expect he will only put in one more brief appearance before being killed off, I would be tickled if Edd made it to the very end. And if there is still an Iron Throne to be sat upon by that point, I can think of no one I’d rather see there – if only to see his expressions of consternation and resignation. Every good saga needs its Eeyore/Marvin/Dolorous Edd.
The show has pretty much gutted all the comedy aspects of “Dolorous Edd.” He’s basically just another guy with a beard, as far as characters go, whereas in the books, he was among the most quotable. That said, I hope he lasts the series and isn’t freeze roasted or crushed beneath falling blocks of the wall, should Viseryon be used to take down the wall near Castle Black. The show “Edd” is unfailingly loyal to Lord Snow, competent with arms, and not full of himself, like so many of the lordly characters.
“I’m grateful and so is my mortgage.”
I am so stealing that line.
From S6e1:
“Edd is our only chance.”
“It’s a sad f*cking statement if Dolorous Edd is our only chance.”
One of my favorites from season six! I’m a huge Edd fan – definitely one of my favorite minor characters. I’m hopeful we’ll see more of him in season eight than we did in season seven.
So glad he’ll be in Season 8. ❤
Yet another actor talking about the conclusion of the series:-).
As for Edd, I like his character but I’d be surprised if he survives until the end simply because the Nights Watch are unlikely to exist. I suspect he will be killed off as the White Walkers take Castle Black in the first couple of episodes. Failing that he comes South to Winterfell and is killed there.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
I hope Dolorous Edd makes it to the end… He’s one of those characters (like Davos, Gilly, Sam, Meera… and, I can only dream, Sandor Clegane) that I think are necessary after all is said and done, to build the new Westeros, from the bottom up, grounded and realistic.
I know keeping all these people alive is probably not going to happen, but any way, a girl can dream. Of course, I’m preparing myself for the reveal that Robin Arryn and The Mountain are the sole survivors, just in case!
If/when Edd dies probably it is going to hit me as hard as the deaths of Grenn and Pip. I’m still mourning for them.
I’d love it if Edd survives in the end. All of the NW characters are dead now so it would be really satisfying if there was a future for Edd.
“Whatever we do there’ll be fans who love it and fans that won’t be satisfied. However [showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss] choose to end the show there’s always going to be people who have their opinion about how the show should end.”
I’ll personally be very miffed if Jon dies (again). There are several great shows that have come to a close over the past several years, Lost, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, True Blood, Battle Star. Breaking Bad.
Breaking Bad has been the only one to land a satisfying conclusion.
If Jon has to die it must be a valid sacrifice. As an example of what I mean I would refer you to the excellent film Man on Fire. John Creasy mission of seeking vengeance and justice turning to personal redemption through surrendering his life for innocent Lupita. (sorry if that spoilt it for any one, but it is a 2004 movie) I just don’t expect D&D to pull off any thing that power fully.
Best wishes folks – for the night is dark and full of merriment!
Oh, no, not Edd! Edd will survive!
Oh as much as he knows how to mope
He’s the only one to cope
He’s given all his life to crying
And he sucks at really dying
So he’ll survive. He will survive!
Ahh the ending…..
Welp… supposedly we know that supposedly the show runners know GRRM’s ending to the story.
Will they use it?
If the NW gets disbanded after the Endgame for any reason, I hope Edd is given a castle and a wife (a pretty Frey girl would be nice] to honour his service and survivability.
They have said everything builds towards GRRM’s ending and that they love it.
One of my favorite Edd scenes was the CB dinner table scene in S6e4, and he didn’t even say anything: Tormund is gnawing on a drumstick or something while staring at Brienne, making Brienne uncomfortable; the camera flashes to Edd who’s watching the awkward moment – and he gives a look that just cracked me up.
Another is when Thorne and his goons are about to break through the door and “extract” Davos and CorpseJon, when Wun Wun bursts open the main gate and Edd and the Wildlings come pouring through. Thorne spits out to Edd “You fooking traitor.” Edd spits back: “The only traitors here are the ones who shoved their knives in their Lord Commander’s heart.”
One of my favorite Edd’isms was when we first see Craster’s Keep and Edd says, “I grew up in a place like this….and then we fell on hard times.” I was instantly smitten.
My Christmas wish list for D&D is long (and next year may be longer since it seems I’ll have plenty of time to think about it 🙂 ) but one wish would be for Edd to live!
Please, D&D, I’m begging you, let Edd live.
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree… The writers go to great lengths so that pretty much every single one of Edd’s lines are those of a gloomy, pessimistic cynic. He’s a mine of darkly funny quotes! Seriously: take a look at this compilation. It only goes up to season five, but still. Later, in season six, there is that great quote about him; “It’s a sad fucking statement if Dolorous Edd is our only chance” and, of course, this. Honestly, the only time he’s been actually serious (instead of self-serious and unintentionally hilarious) was in season seven.
I honestly don’t care either way if Edd lives or dies. Even if he dies, eight seasons has been a good mileage, for the GOT world. He’s outlived a lot of characters.
Thanks for that link. I enjoy any moment Ben/Edd is onscreen. His dinner table looks as he watched Tormund ogle Brienne were vintage Edd. I want him to make it to the end.
I went to look at it – lo and behold, the first one is of Edd, Grenn and Sam digging latrine pits, and Sam says mournfully “I’m not cut out for this sort of work.” Then think of Sam’s Poop and Soup montage in season 7 as he follows his dream of becoming a maester. Talk about foreshadowing.
Well, the Twins should rightly go to Bronn, since he has been holding out for TWO castles. Maybe Edd could take a nice cheerful Frey granddaughter home to the Vale (House Tollett is vassal to Lord Arryn, per the books).
Yes! Loved those too! The first half of season six was fantastic for Edd. As I said in my last post, I am very hopeful for more Edd in season eight than we got in season seven.
That look when he clocked Tormund checking out Brienne though…….
It’s been stated consistently that the show is heading for the same ending I would suggest there is zero chance of them not following what GRRM gave them give or take some minor details for secondary characters.
Craster’s Keep:
“I grew up in a place like this…….. then we fell on hard times”
One of my favourite. GoT lines ever 😂
Agree…Jon is the one to be sacrificed for what heroic he believes…save the world from the WW…Everyone thinks Danny will sacrificed as nissa nissa for Jon ..but i didnt see this happen..Because she will stay pregnant,Jon will want his son to survive and loves his wife[Danny]..He will sacrificed for them..He isnt Stannis to sacrifice his family for a stupid prophesy and then to loose everything..That should be a lesson for those that supporting this theory.. Jon kills Danny/nissa nissa..Will never ever happened…i mark my words
I go away for the holidays for a few days and you sneak in an article about one of my absolute favourite minor characters and his brilliant portrayer Ben Crompton!!
I love Dolorous Edd because he’s almost exactly like one of my real life best friends, whose motto is “a pessimist will never be disappointed”. I have trekked in the wilderness with this guy for years and sometimes his “dolorousness” gets on my goat, but when the going gets tough, nobody is more dependable. He does not what was advertised on the tin, he does a lot more and better things.
I’m glad Ben Crompton is filming for S8. I hope it’s not just for a quick death scene in E1. In the show he’s the last known NW face, so if the NW are to be a thing, Lord Commander Edd Tollet must survive at least long enough to meet Jon again, right? Right?!? I mean, Jon’s parting words “Don’t knock it down while I’m away”, and all that, and poor Edd realising he’s the Lord Commander now (comedy gold, so well acted by Ben Crompton) must have a resolution, right? Right?!? Or maybe I’m just desperate for Dolorous Edd to survive as long as possible, lol.
The books foreshadow Dolorous Edd becoming the Lord Commander for at least a while. During the LC choosing that devious and crafty Sam orchestrates to get Jon elected, Pyp nominates Dolorous Edd as a joke at every round. Needless to say, Dolorous Edd does not look forward to such a prospect. So of course he will be saddled with it, and he will prove to be a good one when he has to rise to the occasion.
Most of all, I want Dolorous Edd to survive, but seeing as he is the only known NW face, he could embody the fall of the NW (cry). I don’t know if the Night’s Watch will exist after all is said and done. If it does, Edd should be the LC and honoured by one and all for his dutiful service, become a Westerosi legend. If the NW won’t exist, grant Eddison Tollet a knighthood or a lordship and a keep and lands in his native Vale, and high favour (friendship) of the future monarch.
He’ll probably die, though.
Delighted to find out he will be around for the last season !
Dolorous Edd is such a wonderful character. Like Bronn or Davos, he is one of those hyper realistic guys who seem to have been accidentally dropped into a fantasy-inspired story. And they could not fit more perfectly. Their pessimism and / or pragmatism clashes in the best way possible with the surrounding mysticism and myths, giving them a natural offbeat-ness that makes them priceless complements to the heroes.
ACME,
You just stated my ideas about Dolorous Edd far more succintly that I ever could.
Good point about Davos and Bronn, too.
As has been stated before, given the diverse and highly contradictory endings anticipated by different fans, the ending is going to disappoint a lot of them. I suspect that it will disappoint the general viewers far less just as long as the ending has been largely setup by the seasons already shown with a few final pieces added next year.
That stated, I think that there is a big Romeo & Juliet element here: Robert’s Rebellion was the early “play” showing us what could happen. The difference is that at least one character (Bran) knows that the story of Robert’s Rebellion took some liberties with the events on which it was based: and armed with this knowledge, this time they might get it less wrong!
Tut, tut: you are ruining what someone wants to believe with facts! Santa will skip you next year….