Bran could tell Jon about his parents and inform him of the annulment, thus proving that he is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. However, Bran had earlier urged Jon Snow to tell the truth about his bloodline and appeared adamant the secret should come to light. Sam learned about Jon Snow's real parents from Bran Stark. Jon says that Daenerys is their queen before Sam points out she should not be. In episode four of season one, Jon is at Castle Black discussing how anonymous his mother is in his mind. 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 . As the white walkers flood into the cave, Summer and The Children of the Forest protect Meera and Hodor as they help Bran. (Laughs) I think Jon will go, 'You've been spending way too much time in the cave, mate.'". 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. 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. A queen arrives at Westeros instead of a king, there are many reunions, and, in the end, Bran Stark sees Jaime Lannister. A Feast For Crows 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. It was right there before our eyes. On a personal level, Jon will probably have hang-ups about what happened between them: After all, the Starks recently fought a war to dethrone a king made mad by generations of incest. Want more stuff like this? While Wylla isnt the true mother of Jon in Game of Thrones series, its still possible that she is in the books. But it's difficult when he is often required to march across kingdoms or wield his sword in battle. With a literal war for the kingdom going down,Rhaegar would have only stationed these two Kingsguard elsewhere for something extremely important; guarding his new wife and son. Bran realizes that Jon is his aunts son and not his fathers, making Jon his biological cousin. Bran and Sam had put together the clues last season: Sam and Gilly found documents at the Citadel that showed Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and eloped with Lyanna Stark afterward. Your mother was Lyanna Stark and your father, your real father, was Rhaegar Targaryen. While viewers dont see Jon and Bran tell Arya and Sansa the secret, its heavily implied thats the topic of their chat. When he makes it there, Jon's nowhere to be found. Like he did with Ned at the Tower of Joy, Bran watches Rhaegar and Lyannas secret ceremony. Men looking for daenerys targaryen, bran watches rhaegar and daenerys and emilia clarke and jon snow, saying. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). This means that the Targaryens would've known about the coming White Walker threat Aegon's very reason for conquering Westeros and uniting the country to prepare for the invasion. and also come across the horror that the White Walkers are bringing to Westeros. Most notable of which, Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning and greatest swordsman of Westeros. He reveals what the diary said. Tyrion arrives and tries to reason with Sansa, suggesting she pledges allegiance to Daenerys. The final season kicks off with a revelation decades in the making. Bran intially sets out to find Jon Snow at the Wall, where he's been sent to join the Night's Watch. 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. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. The truth about Jons parents has been one of the most enduring mysteries of Game of Thrones, with the series previously hinting at much of this information. Jon having a romantic connection with his own aunt. "I think he knows it's not for him. It seems pretty important that someone tells him. "Hey, yeah, by the way, I'm a tree wizard now, and dad's not your father.". He had a High Septons diary, and Bran had what Bran has. Jon is still confused. Game of Thrones characters Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) are the two most likely to have told him. Though the famed R+L=J theory suggests that Daenerys's deceased older brother Rhaegar Targaryen is Jon's father, Wrightjoked otherwise. However, theres no clues or scenes Tyrion shares with either Arya or Samwell to suggest they were the ones to tell him. The action cuts from their conversation to another scene, so Game of Thrones viewers dont know exactly what is said. 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. The reveal took place during one of Bran Stark's visions, where he traveled back in time and visited the famous Tower of Joy. Both of this were nice subtleties to show us that Jon was more than Snow and Sand, but a Targaryen. Ned did not answer. Jon Snow has now finally learned he is a Targaryen in Game of Thrones - but the hints were there from the start. - 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. But Ned was killed on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon and never saw Jon again. All Rights Reserved. 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. Northerners hate the Targaryens and once they find out Jon is a Targaryen, they'll probably make Sansa Queen in the North. Season six brings us our first glimpses at history, as Bran and the three-eyed raven use their sight to peer back to the happenings at the Tower of Joy. Even if Ned hadnt directly told Howland that Jons father was Rhaegar Targaryen, anyone in the realm could have guessed as much. Now that Bran knows the truth about Jon, how is he going to tell him? There was a problem. To discover what happened when Ned Stark arrived at the Tower of Joy. In the Season 6 finale, it was revealed that Jon was the secret child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, Dany's oldest brother. 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. Jon asks what Sam is talking about. The climactic finale of Game of Thrones ' seventh season saw Bran Stark and Samwell Tarly piece together the details of Jon Snow's birth. Why the vague wording here? HBO. He knows that dragons are real. However, this reveal came with a caveat. After Sam asks Jon if he would have done it, he says he has executed men who have disobeyed him. She follows that info up by sharing that Rhaegar then married someone else via a secret ceremony in Dorne. It's possible, maybe even probable, that Jon will find out in a more dramatic way than Bran casually revealing his heritage via raven. This means that Jon is not the bastard son of Ned Stark, as everyone long believed. GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 EPISODE RUNTIMES. Gilly tells Sam that High Septon Maynard gave an annulment to Prince Rhaegar. He claimed Jon as his son from an affair. Now it is red hot as Jon knows the truth that he is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. The Catspaw dagger is, of course, the very same weapon used in the attempted assassination of Bran Stark in Game of Thrones season 1. Jons silence reveals to Sam that Daenerys had not told him. He is not the son of Ned Stark and a mistress, but rather, the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The two are discussing each other's opinions on Jon Snow, who had just become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Sam tells Jon that Jon is a king and that he has always been a king. The only way for people to think that he's a Targaryen is if he marries Daenerys. Jon wanted to know about his mother. 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. They had been quietly married shortly before Rhaegar was killed by Robert and Lyanna died during childbirth. It is not entirely clear why. If Bran ever does make it back to Winterfell, it's possible that he could be jealous of Jon'spromotion toKing in the North and might want the position forhimself. When Bran and Samwell meet at the end of Game of Thrones season 7, Bran explains that Jon needs to know the truth about himself, with the new Three-Eyed Raven trusting the soon-to-be Grand Maester with such information. As Samwell and Bran figured out together at the end of last season, Jon Snow is the last living male Targaryen left in Westeros, which means he's the heir to the Iron Throne. When Sansa suggests Jon wouldnt survive in the south because of her familys history, Tyrion responds: As youre brother once told me, hes not a Stark., Daenerys hand then goes on to say: She (Daenerys) wants to make the world a better place, I believe in her., Tyrion goes to leave, only for Sansa to say: What if theres someone else? ET on HBO. It was she who Ned had come to the tower to retrieve, believing she had been kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen -- oldest son of the Mad King and recently slain at the Battle of the . Like us on Facebook. If Ned were the actual father of Jon, he surely would have said "but you are my son.". Robert would have murdered you if he knew. Magazines, Digital Sam prepares to reveal Jons true lineage. Besides, who would support Jon's claim to the Iron Throne. But that was in the closing moments of the Season Seven finale, and though the audiencealong with dear sweet Samwell Tarly and awkward teen, Three-Eyed Raven Bran Starklearned the truth, Jon Snow still had no idea as he hooked up with Daenerys Targaryen, a woman who was just revealed to us to be his aunt. For many seasons, the trail on Jon Snows true lineage went cold. Though Arya was the one to defeat the Night King in battle, Jon Snow was an integral player in the survival of the Westerosi populace. In the end, the eventual occupant of the Iron Throne would come down to either Jon or Dany both technically Targaryens. Understanding that Robert would kill Jon, a.k.a. That is not all. Some theorists took aim at the shape the blood seemed to make to explain it: a dragon. .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}20 Epic TV Shows Like 'Game of Thrones', 'House of the Dragon' Rivals 'Thrones's Brutality, The 25 Best Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked, 'The Tales of Dunk and Egg' GoT Prequel, Explained, The Game of Thrones Cast at the Beginning and End, Here's What's Going on With the Thrones Prequels, George R.R. Jon responds that he gave up his crown. In Season 6, Bran Stark worked on a vision for numerous episodes. Sam declares that Jon is the heir. Wylla has also been speculated to have been the wet nurse present while Lyanna gave birth to Jon Snow on Dorne, which would have made her privy to the information about Jon Snows Targaryen identity. 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. Let's hope that's not true. Jon Snow is fortunate to have two of the most knowledgable people in Westeros on his side. Game Of Thrones: Everyone Who Knew Jon Snow Was A Targaryen Before Him, House Of The Dragon Can Answer A Major Jon Snow Warg Question, Howland Reed, the father of Jojen and Meera, Game Of Thrones: Why Jon Snows Targaryen Heritage Didnt Matter, Game of Thrones: Jon Snow's Backstory & Real Name Explained, GOT Theory: Benjen Stark Knew Even More About Jon Snows Parents Than Ned, House Of The Dragon's New Aegon Reveal Changes The Night King's Death, Game of Thrones: Why The Show Cut The Books' Biggest Targaryen Twist. It would be cool if Jon ended up burnt somehow by Drogon or another dragon and it was revealed he is a true dragon like Dany, in that fire cannot kill him. "God knows how we're going to make a conclusion out of this massive thriving mess of murders and death and ice zombies and all sorts," Wright said, "but it's going to be pretty spectacular.". Behind him is a wooden beam, that looks like it has two letters distinctly carved into it: R and L. R+L=J. Jon negotiates with Daenerys Targaryen for an alliance against the White Walkers in the imminent Great War. While out with Daenerys, she lets him ride one of her dragons. Regardless of where that journey leads him, there'll be a lot in store for him in the nextand finaltwo seasons of GoT. It isnt until the end of season 7 that the identity of the baby is confirmed to be Jon Snow, proving that Ned was always just his uncle who had to live with the secret of knowing Lyanna and Rhaegar had a child together. Instead, he told Jon that the next time they saw each other, they would talk about Jons mother. Here are some of the biggest hints that the television show gave us that Jon Snow was a Targaryen. People who read the books knew everything but how the story ends. 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. What is likely more of a concern for Jon is this news of her ruthless slayings of prisoners of war. Before the ultimate reveal of baby Jon being delivered by Lyanna in the tower later in the season, there were plenty of hints to let us know what was soon to come. Why what Gilly found matters. Jon Snow! Had Robert Baratheon known the identity of Jons real father, he would have tried to kill him, just as he tried to kill Daenerys. Basically, he's more of a Stark kid than he's ever been. Youre the true king. However, the confirmation that Jon is a trueborn Targaryen may put a hitch in his budding relationship with Daenerys, as it means they are related. Martin finally published A Game of Thrones, the first entry in a fantasy saga that he'd been writing for five years. Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com. Robb's will does legitimize Jon as a Stark. Short answer: Sansa told Tyrion, who told Varys. It's a terrible thing.". Though a Targaryen didn't end up on the Iron Throne due to Dany becoming the Mad Queen and Jon being shipped back to the Wall (and the Throne being melted), Game of Thrones proves that these were the two Targaryens that Aegon spoke of in his House of the Dragon dream, only solidifying the importance of Jon's Targaryen heritage even though it didn't matter as far as Westerosi politics were concerned. With House of the Dragon bringing the full Targaryen line to the foreground, interest in the Targaryen family has never been more palpable and Jon Snow is part of that family. 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. They had been quietly married shortly before Rhaegar was killed by Robert and Lyanna died during childbirth. But for all that he does know, there are many things he doesn't. WARNING: This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 1. Gilly had read in High Septon Maynards diary that he had annulled Rhaegars marriage with Elia Martell, and had later secretly married Rhaegar to another woman in Dorne. "Our prince wanted us here." Magazines, Digital Instead, it looks like Jon Snow was saved so he could do what he does . Just in case it matters to them. His father, we know, is Ned Stark, who returned from Robert's Rebellion with a child from another woman. A man can take a name only if he lacks one. Will Dany fight alongside Jon if he would get the throne over her? You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. That book tells the story of the Stark family's. He isn't who he thought he was. Bran is in Westeros and Sam is headed to Eastwatch, both popular travel stops for the King in the North. 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. Your mother was Lyanna stark. Meanwhile, this episode played out how Game of Thrones premieres typically go, with light action and a number of long-awaited greetings. Shortly afterwards, Sansa is shown thinking to herself on top of the battlements in Winterfell. Game of Thrones' books confirm that Ned went to Starfall following Lyannas death because he had to return House Daynes ancestral sword after killing Ser Arthur Dayne, with it being likely that Wylla was simply the wet nurse for Jon during their stay there. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital In the Season 7 finale, Sam meets Bran. Gilly incidentally reveals Jon is legitimate. Responding that it is treason, Sam says it is the truth. Despite being reunited with Jon, Bran did not say anything about his brother/cousins true lineage. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Tyrion Lannister could have discovered the truth about Jon Snow from a number of sources. Jon hops on and struggles to hold on at first. Game of Thrones left plenty of mysteries about its characters after its finale, and House of the Dragon can finally answer a major question about Jon's warging power with his Targaryen blood. Bran would also learn about Rickon's death upon his return. She has also sent Bronn to the north to assassinate her brothers. "You are Aegon Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne, 6th of his name," Tarly tells Jon. As far as everyone else knows, he is a more legitimate heir to the titleas Ned Stark's biological son. Youve never been a bastard. Aegon Targaryen, Sixth of his Name, Protector of the Realm, all of it.. 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). Daenerys and Rhaegar (along with Viserys, for that matter) children of several generations of since. New 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3' Trailer, Where To Watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, 'Party Down' Season 3 Interviews: Jane Lynch and Ken Marino, 'Jesus Revolution' Interview: Kelsey Grammer, Stranger Things Prequel Story to Hit Stage, 'Babylon' Interview: Composer Justin Hurwitz, 'Linoleum' Interview: Rhea Seehorn Talks New Sci-fi Comedy, Jonathan Krisel Directing Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Sequel, 'Creed III' Interview: Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, Trailer for the The Power TV Adaptation, Where To Watch Blumhouse Thriller M3GAN. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Background Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com. 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. When she says this, Stannis retorts with, "perhaps, but that wasn't Ned Stark's way. That is when Sam goes for it. One of Game of Thrones' biggest mysteries, a fan theory that predates the show itself, was confirmed in the Game of Thrones Season 6 finale. Bran and Sam put the pieces together. It also introduces what's to be yet another conflict in this complex game of thrones. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. He was killed during Roberts Rebellion by Robert Baratheon for allegedly kidnapping and raping Lyanna who had been betrothed to Robert. But, finally, at the end of the first episode of Game of Thrones Season Eight, Jon's most loyal friend, Sam Tarly, reveals his true identity. Now that he knows about his true lineage, things may or may not be about to change. Bran, therefore, may have told Tyrion in order for those close to Jon and Daenerys to be aware of the revelation. The extent of Ashara Daynes knowledge was never revealed in Game of Thrones, nor has it been explained in the books. Robert asks about the mother of Neds bastard, whom Ned confirms as Wylla. Ned never again mentions Wylla, and dies before he can tell Jon the truth about his mother. Thus, confirming for viewers and himself that what Sam said is true. "Game of Thrones" Season 7, Episode 5 airs Sunday, Aug. 13 at p.m. on HBO. Selyse senses that Stannis has grown to feel fond respect for Jon, and attempts to discredit him as merely an illegitimate bastard. Bran is a warg and a greenseer serving as the new Three-Eyed Raven. Even though he is Elia's brother, Oberyn gives us our first taste that this story may not be as we have heard. Jon was conceived in a loving relationship. That sure as hell made for some great jokes in the nearly 20 months between the conclusion of Game of Thrones Season Seven and the premiere of its final season tonight. More info. Game of Thrones Season 8 premieres. That means his sons were named after his best friend, brother, and father. 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. Robb is named after Robert Baratheon, Bran after Brandon Stark, Rickon after Rickard Stark. While at The Citadel in Oldtown, he spent most of his time cleaning bedpans and complaining about how much he hated his internship. 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. For two decades this was the most popular theory among readers of A Song of Ice and Fire. About that crown. Daenerys took a few steps towards the edge of the destroyed room. Did they not see him riding on the back of a fucking dragon? Don't forget there are only seven episodes this year, so we are already more than halfway through the penultimate season. Will Cersei finally take Jon as a serious threat? Recounting all the harrowing events that befell Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, Harington had this to say about what the character is going through, "He's gotta go back up to the place with all this history and live out his life thinking about how he killed Dany, and live out his life thinking about Ygritte dying in his arms, and live out his life thinking about how he hung Olly, and live out his life thinking about all of this trauma, and that, that's interesting." Jon Snow was proven to not be Ned Stark's bastard, but instead, the secret child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Daenerys's armies of Dothraki and Unsullied finally march into the walls of Winterfell, where those sturdy, distrustful Northerners are not looking too kindly upon these foreign invaders. Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere. Down in the South, Cersei doesn't seem to care that the White Walker army has torn down that Wall and made their way into Westeros. It remains to be seen how the rest of Westeros might feel about that. New episodes of the hit series air Sundays at 9 p.m. Stay tuned. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. How did he get to the point where he learned the truth? He follows up by saying that Jon gave up his crown to save his people. 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. Why the longing stare? At the end of Game of Thrones season 7, its officially confirmed that Jon Snow is both a Stark and a Targaryen, the trueborn son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Sam then shares Jons actual title. like "Also, FYI, I saw your birth and your mom's death. Find out how Jon Snow handles learning his true lineage when Game of Thrones final season continues. It's a scene that gave me some extremely Harry Potter vibes (along with Sam's "You're a wizard, Harry"-esque reveal of Jon's parents). Classic Cersei! Game of Thrones season 7 finale then saw the Three-Eyed Raven Bran enter a vision in which he watched the marriage of Lyanna Stark to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, confirming that Jon, really Aegon Targaryen, was their trueborn son and rightful heir to the Iron Throne. However, the Targaryens have a long history of incest, having spent over 300 years wedding brothers to sisters to keep their bloodline pure. Petyr told Sansa of what he witnessed from Rhaegar at the tourney at Harrenhaal. An inquisitive Tyrion says to Bran: Youve had a strange journey., Bran responds in his typically blunt manner: Stranger than most.. Jon was also rendered useless in the Battle of Winterfell, so ending the Night King was obviously not to be his fate either. Heres how Tyrion found out about Jon Snow and who told him. But Ned was killed on the orders of Joffrey Baratheon and never saw Jon again. "It's a gutting thing for Bran, whenever he finds out. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. RELATED:Game of Thrones: 14 Unanswered Questions After The Season 8 Premiere.