There are have been big moments on Game of Thrones that have been game changers…and then there are big moments on Game of Thrones that change the course of the show forever. Tonight, we had one of those big moments, and it came at just the wrong time. Let’s talk about how it all unfolded:
If you’ll remember, in Episode 801, “Winterfell,” Samwell Tarly told Jon Snow that he was really Aegon Targaryen, the trueborn son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, and the heir to the Iron Throne. Well, that bit of information was bound to get around to Daenerys somehow, right? Toward the final moments of the episode, Dany finds Jon brooding in the Winterfell crypts, in front of the statue of Lyanna Stark.
Jon had been avoiding Dany all episode…you know, as one does when one finds out he’s been banging his aunt. Anyway, Dany asks Jon who the statue is, and he tells her it’s Lyanna Stark. Dany recalls stories of her brother Rhaegar being a loving person who sang songs and gave to the poor, but did an awful thing and raped Lyanna.
Jon tells her she’s wrong. Dany’s face goes from worried to super-worried as Jon explains that Rhaegar loved Lyanna and they were actually married in a secret ceremony. Lyanna gave birth to Rhaegar’s son and made Ned Stark promise to tell everyone he was his own bastard. By now, Dany is looking directly into Jon’s eyes.
Jon then says his name is really Aegon Targaryen, the trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. Dany doesn’t believe him, but he says it’s true; Bran and Sam have proof. Dany then tells Jon, that if his story is true, he is the last living male heir of House Targaryen with a rightful claim to the Iron Throne.
The two have but a few seconds to silently stare at each other before three blasts from a horn can be heard above: The White Walkers have arrived.
What I find interesting is that Jon didn’t deny he had a rightful claim to the Iron Throne. Usually, in the past, he has shunned leadership of any kind. He didn’t ask to be Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, and he didn’t ask to be named King in the North, and he’s always quick to remind people of those facts. Still, when Dany tells him he has a claim to the throne, he pauses.
Is this indicative of a future power struggle between Daenerys and Jon? And hey, how come neither of their instant responses was: “Ewww! Oh, gods, we banged and we’re related? Noooooo!”
I look forward to an awkward conversation between the two, after they’ve sorted out their army of the dead situation.
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