One of the biggest moments ofGame of Thrones' Season 6 finale wasthe revelation of Jon Snow's birth mother,Lyanna Stark. Bran knew. Jon hops on and struggles to hold on at first. Bran used his greenseer abilities to travel through time and watch the secret marriage of the two lovers and Jons birth in the Tower of Joy. Still, that sweet sweet moment when poor Jon Snow finally finds out that he's a Targaryen is going to be nothing short of amazing. Then, almost 20 years to the day of the release of A Game of Thrones, the TV adaptation of the series finally revealed that Jon Snow is really Aegon Targaryen, the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Watch this Tr chi vng quyn video, [I think I might've inhaled you] Bran/Jojen, Sansa/Shae, Daenerys/Doreah, Jon/Ygritte , on fanpop and browse other Tr chi vng quyn videos. Jon having a romantic connection with his own aunt. Historically, male heirs have been given preference over female ones in Westeros though Queen Cersei does currently sit on the throne. The story of how Jon Snow was conceived went that Rhaegar Targaryen had kidnapped Lyanna, raped her, then killed her, so finding Lyanna with a baby would have to mean he was Rhaegars. Sometimes, when the northern army breaks for meals, he eats quickly in order to have a few minutes to warg into Lady. The climactic finale of Game of Thrones seventh season saw Bran Stark and Samwell Tarly piece together the details of Jon Snows birth. Petyr told Sansa of what he witnessed from Rhaegar at the tourney at Harrenhaal. Shortly afterwards, Sansa is shown thinking to herself on top of the battlements in Winterfell. This goes down rather matter-of-factly, with Dany casually coaching Jon by telling him not to fall off (which was kind of how my first surfing lesson went). You can also find her work on Business Insider's Streaming Reviews. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. When Sunday's Season 6 finale of Game of Thrones finally showed another of Bran's flashback visions, fans everywhere gave a collective cheer of relief when it was all but confirmed that R+L does, in fact, equal J. Will Dany fight alongside Jon if he would get the throne over her? "Our prince wanted us here." Does Bran's wolf die? Now that Bran knows the truth about Jon, how is he going to tell him? So when will Jon find out that he's a Targaryen? It would be awkward to add a P.S. Heres how it works. Related: GOT Theory: Benjen Stark Knew Even More About Jon Snows Parents Than Ned. What will he do with the information? And although Ned never tells Jon who his mother is, A Game of Thrones is filled with foreshadowing of what's to come: Tales of Rhaegar Targaryen allegedly raping Jon's aunt Lyanna Stark, and, from Daenerys Targaryen's perspective, a love story between Rhaegar and Lyanna. This prompts Tyrion to ask to hear all about Brans backstory, despite Bran telling him its a long story. Both Sam and Bran could reveal the truth to Jon Snow. Jon Snow learning he was a Targaryen became a key point in his character arc, but he was one of the last to learn who his real parents were. What's also working in Jon's favor is that HE FINALLY RIDES A GODDAMN DRAGON in this episodeanother moment that fans have been anticipating for decades. (Laughs) I think Jon will go, 'You've been spending way too much time in the cave, mate.'". When he makes it there, Jon's nowhere to be found. That book tells the story of the Stark family's. Sam explains what was at stake. and also come across the horror that the White Walkers are bringing to Westeros. Later on in season seven, Jon has an intimate moment with Drogon, where the dragon of Daenerys looks into Jon's eyes, and allows him to rub his hand against his head. He saw Jon's birth, with Ned Stark promising Lyanna Stark he would raise Jon as his own son, and not reveal that Jon is the son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (Dany's older bro) and Lyanna Stark (Ned's younger sis). Freed from his Night's Watch vows, Jon and his half-sister Sansa Stark retake Winterfell from House Bolton, restoring House Stark's dominion over the North. The reveal took place during one of Bran Stark's visions, where he traveled back in time and visited the famous Tower of Joy. "My sister loved himand beautiful, noble Rhaegar Targaryen left her for another woman.". She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began. "And at this stage, it could even be Ned. Reg-Jean Page Reveals Why He *Really* Left 'Bridgerton', Eugene Levy Hints At A Schitts Creek Revival, Pedro Pascals Cameo In 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' Is The Ultimate Throwback, Leonie Elliott Shared A Moving Message For Fans After Quitting 'Call The Midwife', Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Sam prepares to reveal Jons true lineage. Classic Cersei! Eventually, he was crowned as the first elected ruler of the Six Kingdoms, styled as Bran the Broken, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Six Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm . She runs on coffee and classic movies, taking pride in having watched every film on AFI's 100 Greatest Films list and every Best Picture Oscar winner. About that crown. When did Sam find out about Jon Snow? Bran had already come to understand that Jon was the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar, but believed that he was still a bastard until Sam helped fill in the information on their secret marriage. Sam and Gilly know this crucial information, but they may not know that they know it. A man can take a name only if he lacks one. Jon Snow swore Sansa and sister Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) to secrecy before he and Bran decided to reveal the truth to the pair. Would Daenerys do the same? If Ned were the actual father of Jon, he surely would have said "but you are my son.". In the recently aired first episode of the last season of Game of Thrones, Jon Snow (finally) finds out his true lineage, after living his entire life under the shame and judgment of being a bastard. NEXT:What HBO Will Do After Game of Thrones Ends, 10 Things That Pointed To Jon Snow Being A Targaryen (That Most Fans Missed), Game of Thrones: 14 Unanswered Questions After The Season 8 Premiere, Game Of Thrones Theory: Jon Snow Isn't The Only Secret Targaryen, Game of Thrones: 16 Things You Need To Know About Rhaegar Targaryen, assassination of Jon Snow by the coward Alliser Thorne, What HBO Will Do After Game of Thrones Ends. The same thing is happening with Young Griff from the books. Well, it was a long and arduous journey that spanned 67+ episodes. Let's hope that's not true. The new Game of Thrones spinoff will at least have to mention Jon Snow's father, but to what capacity remains to be seen. It remains to be seen how the rest of Westeros might feel about that. However, the Targaryens have a long history of incest, having spent over 300 years wedding brothers to sisters to keep their bloodline pure. Youve never been a bastard. The Tower of Joy. But Ned was killed on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon and never saw Jon again. Making his claim to the Iron Throne a legitimate and rightful one. It's a good question, the answer to which is very likely, no. Up to this point, the only narrative that we had been presented with was that Rhaegar left Elia, andtook Lyanna against her will. Photo illustration by James Kim and Martin Gee for TIME; HBO, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. but if Jon is a trueborn Targaryen than that aspect of the decree is null and void. He claimed Jon as his son from an affair. Both the remarks of Oberyn and Littlefinger do not necessarily show that they knew of Jon's lineage, per se, but they were definitely signs for us to pick up the scent. HBO and Sky Atlantic viewers have witnessed Tyrion speak. 'Hey, yeah, by the way, I'm a tree wizard now, and dad's not your father.' But for all that he does know, there are many things he doesn't. Lyanna then gave birth to Jon whose real name is Aegon Targaryen before she died. Daenerys, who comes from a long line of Targaryens who married their siblings and cousins, might be more open to continuing their relationship and alliance. Most notable of which, Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning and greatest swordsman of Westeros. He's free to pursue life outside of th Continue Reading Kelly Russo Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 2023 TIME USA, LLC. When breaking down the sons of Ned Stark, their name choices all appear significant. Jon rides a dragon. WARNING: This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 1. It would be cool if Jon ended up burnt somehow by. He promised your mother hed always protect you. Ned brought Jon to Winterfell as a baby after fighting in Robert's Rebellion. Just in case it matters to them. The Season 6 finale of Game of Thrones finally confirmed the theory that Jon Snow is the child of Lyanna Stark and Raegar Targaryen, albeit without actually saying it but, you know, basically saying it. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. Please refresh the page and try again. Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. You can unsubscribe at any time. Since he's already heading south, Wright imagines he'll travel to Winterfell to tell his half-brother (now cousin) the truth. The final season of Game of Thrones has officially come to a close, and just as George R. R. Martin once promised, the ending was certainly "bittersweet." The finale of Thrones ' eighth season saw. Youre Aegon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne, Sam tells Jon in the crypts. The last time Ned and Jon spoke in season 1, Ned promised to tell Jon who is mother was when they met again. So where Jon and his Targaryen parentage fit into all of this is kind of hard to tell. So Jon Snow isn't my half-brother.' In August in 1996, George R.R. Answer (1 of 6): Original Question: How did Varys and Tyrion find out Jon was a Targaryen? After Sam asks Jon if he would have done it, he says he has executed men who have disobeyed him. Your mom is my aunt. Even though he is Elia's brother, Oberyn gives us our first taste that this story may not be as we have heard. Jon Snow is legitimate. The season six finale along with a HBO infographic all but confirmed that Jon was not the illegitimate son of Ned but rather the child of Lyanna and Rhaegar. The finale finally confirmed what millions of fans probably already knew: Jon Snow is the legitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The action cuts from their conversation to another scene, so Game of Thrones viewers dont know exactly what is said. However, they may not be able to tell him before his sexual tension with Dany becomes impossible to resist, leading to Jon having a romantic connection with his own aunt. At the end of Game of Thrones season 7, it's officially confirmed that Jon Snow is both a Stark and a Targaryen, the trueborn son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Oh! Why what Gilly found matters. Gilly tells Sam that High Septon Maynard gave an annulment to Prince Rhaegar. This moment is somewhat tarnished by the rift of Dany between Jon and his sisters. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. Jon Snow was "punished" by being sent to the one place where life has ever made sense to him: the North. Bran is in Westeros and Sam is headed to Eastwatch, both popular travel stops for the King in the North. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. They parents were both spouses and full-blooded siblings, and the latest in a long line of brothers and sisters marrying each other. In an interview (via Entertainment Weekly), Jon Snow actor Kit Harington teased that Snow's journey after Game of Thrones will see the character going to battle with many of his past traumas, and that could include his Targaryen lineage. Prompted by Sams new information and Sams suggestion to see if there is something more he can see, Bran flashes back. That is when Sam says he is not talking about that crown, he is talking about him being the king of the bloody Seven Kingdoms. Cue record scratch. Is the realmor Dany or Cersei, for that mattergoing to believe he's really a Targaryen? Tyrion arrives and tries to reason with Sansa, suggesting she pledges allegiance to Daenerys. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. He is not the son of Ned Stark and a mistress, but rather, the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. However, Sam had already unintentionally discovered the full truth about Jons parentage when at the Citadel with Gilly. Immediately after these words leave Maester Aemon's mouth, Jon Snow walks though the doorway, a tool of cinematic foreshadowing. Bran told Samwell . With just those clues from A Game of Thrones, the first known R+L=J theory .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}appeared on the Internet a year after the book was published in 1997. While viewers dont see Jon and Bran tell Arya and Sansa the secret, its heavily implied thats the topic of their chat. A theory that has gained significant traction since pointed out byReddit user /u/duh_metriusback in 2017, is that Jon was named after Jon Arryn. Let us go back to where it all started: long before Jon Snow learned the truth and how he got to the point where he did. Stay tuned. 'The Bear''s Jeremy Allen White Keeps His Awards In His Kids' Room For A Cute Reason, 'Yellowstone' Prequel '1923' Really Earned Its TV-MA Rating, Martin Short Gave Up Seat On A Plane So Chance The Rapper Could Sit With His Daughter, I'm Happy To Report That Drew Barrymore's Bedroom Also Becomes A Chaotic Mess, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Sansa is also more than likely to have told Tyrion about Jon Snow thanks to a discussion they had in episode four, The Last of the Starks. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. "I don't know how Bran's going to break it to Jon," he told THR. Along with meeting Daenerys Targaryen in Season 7, Jon also meets her dragons. Magazines, Digital I promise," Ned tells Jon as he heads off for the Wall. Now that Bran is in Westeros, he could easily reveal the truth to Jon. He wanted to know if she was still alive, if she knew about him and where he was, or where he was going. If it isn't enough that we have to wait almost an entire year for Season 7, it would be seriously uncool to not be given more of the Jon Snow is a Targaryen story until Season 8 of Game of Thrones. Your mother was Lyanna stark. The end of Aegon's dream/the prophecy states that it is the Targaryens who will save Westeros from the White Walkers, and Aegon's dream does come true in the end in many ways. They had been quietly married shortly before Rhaegar was killed by Robert and Lyanna died during childbirth. During their chat, Bran tells Sam that Jon needs to know the truth about himself. To refresh your memory, Rhaegar was the eldest son of the Mad King who had two children with his first wife, Elia. He trusted both of them to keep safe and protect themselves. The Valyran steel weapon came with a story from Viserys, one of Aegon's dream, which turns out to be the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy, along with the Prince that was Promised. "When Bran sees his father's reaction and understands that this is a surrogate child his father has brought up, he thinks to himself, 'Well, wait, what surrogate children has my father brought up? Daenerys will probably be more concerned with Jons newfound claim to the Iron Throne. Jon Snow was proven to not be Ned Stark's bastard, but instead, the secret child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. I also love how the story created to subvert popular fantasy tropes ended up subverting the most popular fantasy trope, while pissing off many fans who kinda forgot what type of story they were watching. Back in season one, before Ned and Jon say what will ultimately be their final farewells, Ned says a couple of really important things to Jon. Getting to this point has meant that Jon Snow spent his entire life believing in a big lie. In Game of Thrones' Season 8 premiere, Jon Snow learned a truth that changes everything: his true lineage. Next: Game of Thrones: Why The Show Cut The Books' Biggest Targaryen Twist. He had a High Septons diary, and Bran had what Bran has. Jon is still confused. Sam is stunned and quickly corrects Bran. As Neds illegitimate son, Jon was raised with the surname of Snow. After the assassination of Jon Snow by the coward Alliser Thorne, Jon's body is left in the snow for some time. Matt Miller is a Brooklyn-based culture/lifestyle writer and music critic whose work has appeared in Esquire, Forbes, The Denver Post, and documentaries. Following Neds defeat of Arthur Dayne and the Targaryen kingsguard at the Tower of Joy, Lyanna made him promise to conceal Jons identity out of fear that Robert would kill Jon if he learned the real story. Jons parentage was Westeros best-kept secret for over 25 years, but once it spread to Jon himself, quickly became common knowledge among Westeros nobility. We know now that the name Jon Snow was given to him by Ned Stark, who is actually his uncle. Will Cersei finally take Jon as a serious threat? Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Oh, and his name isn't Jon but rather Aegon Targaryen. Ned is beheaded in King's Landing, and Jon Snow goes North to The Wall where he leads the fight against the White Walkers in books to come. Its also been suggested that even if Wylla isnt Jon Snows mother in the books, she at least knows some of the truth behind his parentage. Don't forget there are only seven episodes this year, so we are already more than halfway through the penultimate season. Hence, there was a chance that Jon Snow was Lyannas illegitimate son by Rhaegar Targaryen. When his body is moved at the beginning of season six, a large puddle of blood-soaked snow is left behind. He follows up by saying that Jon gave up his crown to save his people. That is when Sam goes for it. One scene, in particular, revealed Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) knew about Jon Snows (Kit Harington) true identity as Aegon Targaryen. Martin Is Still Finishing His Books, A Year Later, Every GoT Finale Question, Answered, George R.R. Jon responds that he gave up his crown. Why the longing stare? While Sam is busy studying in the Citadel, so is Gilly. Warning: This post contains spoilers for season seven of Game of Thrones. One of those is a "promise" that the next time they meet, Ned will tell Jon about his mother. Would she do the same?". Hes only taken on leadership roles when they are foisted upon him, or help solve a larger problem. How will the Stark children react when they discover that Jon is not really their half brother, but their cousin? Bran is a warg and a greenseer serving as the new Three-Eyed Raven. Bran could have been the one to reveal all to Tyrion following a conversation they had in season eight, episode two, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Ned brought Jon to Winterfell as a baby after fighting in Roberts Rebellion. We may earn a commission from these links. That book tells the story of the Stark family's downfall and the beginning of a great war, but thematically focuses more precisely on lineage. It's worth noting that Sam happens to tell Jon about his Targaryen blood while they're both down in the crypts. A Game of Thrones examines this theme from a varying number of characters. You will receive a verification email shortly. Want more stuff like this? While at The Citadel in Oldtown, he spent most of his time cleaning bedpans and complaining about how much he hated his internship. And, you know, maybe Jon and Daenerys Targaryen should be told they're nephew and aunt before they get too much closer. While this information might put a stop to the connection between Jon and Dany, it could also affect their political affiliation. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. Had Robert . This would all be very simple if Bran didn't also choose to be a total weirdo and be oddly specific about what he is revealing to others. Related: House Of The Dragon Can Answer A Major Jon Snow Warg Question. As the white walkers flood into the cave, Summer and The Children of the Forest protect Meera and Hodor as they help Bran. Once discussions over the battle plan end, Bran and Tyrion remain in the room alone. That he is a Stark and a Targaryen? .css-o05pt{display:block;font-family:Didot,Didot-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-shadow:0 0 0 #000,0 0 0.01em transparent;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-o05pt:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-o05pt{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-o05pt{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}The 30 Best TV Shows on Prime Video, Tan & Gigi Aren't Your Typical Reality Show Judges, Daisy Jones & The Six: Book vs Show Differences, 35 Classic Photos from the Academy Awards, 46 of the Coolest Set Photos in Movie History. Game of Thrones season 8, episode 4 recap: Who died? It's possible, maybe even probable, that Jon will find out in a more dramatic way than Bran casually revealing his heritage via raven. Game of Thrones Season 8 premieres. House of the Dragon is exploring Jon's Targaryen lineage in greater depth, and the introduction of the A Song of Ice and Fire prophecy is only emphasizing how important his family history is despite its lack of impact of GoT's line of succession. It also introduces what's to be yet another conflict in this complex game of thrones. Someone better?. Jordan is based in Seattle, Washington and enjoys exploring the natural beauty the PNW has to offer. And while having the audience finally know that R+L=J is all well and good, having it be revealed to Jon Snow himself is the next logical step. The irony was palpable. Bran would also learn about Rickon's death upon his return. He also knows that his Uncle Benjen was actually alive (kind of) and then watched him get attacked by a horde of wights literally seconds after discovering that he was still alive. As a refresher, Ned and Robert served as wards to Jon Arryn during their teenage years, and Jon Arryn treated Ned as if he was his own son, even though he was not. We hear Jon say this intriguing line: "Bran saw the Night King and his army marching toward Eastwatch. Its also possible that Ned told both Ashara and Wylla the truth about Jon being a Targaryen when he went to Starfall, though its unclear whether the books will ever confirm her knowledge. Even Rhaegal the Dragon knew. He tells Jon this distressing news as well. The extent of Ashara Daynes knowledge was never revealed in Game of Thrones, nor has it been explained in the books. As Bran flashes back to Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryens secret wedding ceremony, he proclaims something else. What is likely more of a concern for Jon is this news of her ruthless slayings of prisoners of war. ", Just one episode later, in episode five of the fifth season, Maester Aemon has some conveniently timed words of "prophecy. - Arthur Dayne. "Game of Thrones" Season 7, Episode 5 airs Sunday, Aug. 13 at p.m. on HBO. As many in the cast have teased, this first episode of Game of Thrones Season Eight does an incredible job at striking parallels between the first episode of Season One. How will this knowledgeboth of the Tarlys and Jon's parentageimpact the union of fire and ice? The answer may have been our first clue. As usual, Game of Thrones has just raised more questions than answered them, but the hard part of not knowing if R+L=J is true is out of the way now, so at the very least, we can appreciate that small victory. Lot GOT at the best online prices at eBay! Northerners hate the Targaryens and once they find out Jon is a Targaryen, they'll probably make Sansa Queen in the North. The climactic finale of Game of Thrones ' seventh season saw Bran Stark and Samwell Tarly piece together the details of Jon Snow's birth. Gilly incidentally reveals Jon is legitimate. Behind him is a wooden beam, that looks like it has two letters distinctly carved into it: R and L. R+L=J. That Jon is the illegitimate son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. In August in 1996, George R.R. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Daenerys had left Jon behind in the library and climbed up the destroyed stairs to find Drogon roaring loudly in a panic nearby. Like he did with Ned at the Tower of Joy, Bran watches Rhaegar and Lyannas secret ceremony. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Game of Thrones season 8 airs on HBO in the US on Sundays 9pm ET and on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK on Mondays at 2am & 9pm BST. As for that annulment, Gilly once noted that a High Septon Maynard had issued an annulment for a Prince Ragger an apparent mispronunciation of Rhaegar and remarried him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. HBO and Sky Atlantic viewers have witnessed Tyrion speak with both the Stark siblings on two separate occasions in season eight, each time being in private. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. That means his sons were named after his best friend, brother, and father. ", If Jon knows that, Bran must've mentioned his vision and sent a warning raven. Game of Thrones: What were Missandeis last words? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Game of Thrones DAENERYS TARGARYEN BRAN STARK Funko Movie Pop! Game of Thrones: Who told Tyrion about Jon Snow? Here is when, where and from whom Tyrion may have discovered the truth about Aegon Targaryen. But she's also got a shiny new Golden Company army courtesy of her new boyfriend, Euron Greyjoy. But we still are pretty clueless as to the father, I think," he said. My father was the most honorable man Ive ever met, Jon retorts.