‘Game of Thrones’: New Fan Theory Suggests Jon Snow May Not Be the Only Secret Targaryen
Even though it has been more than a year since the Game of Thrones series finale, George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series is not over. Martin is currently hard at work writing the sixth installment of the series – The Winds of Winter. Could the next novel prove the new fan theory that Jon Snow has a secret brother?
Samwell Tarly’s storyline was largely avoided in ‘Game of Thrones’ final season
As Inverse points out, one of the “most quietly brave and kind” characters in the HBO version of Game of Thrones was Samwell Tarly, portrayed by John Bradley. Often kept in the background, Samwell was intelligent, honest, and loyal. But because he preferred a book over a sword, he was also overshadowed by Jon Snow (Kit Harington).
Samwell did have a few moments in the spotlight during the show’s eight-season run. However, Game of Thrones largely overlooked his storyline in the final season. After the lengthy build-up to his training at the Citadel, it was all over in the blink of an eye.
His last appearance in the books was when he was studying to become a maester at the Citadel while grieving the loss of his mentor, Maester Aemon.
In The Winds of Winter, Samwell could become a maester. Or, he could “stand at the center of a powerful prophecy.” There is a strong possibility that he will be a much more significant character in the next book.
Is Jon Snow truly Aegon Targaryen?
Fans will remember that the true identity of Jon Snow’s parents – and his real name – was revealed during the season 7 episode titled “The Dragon and the Wolf.”
As Vanity Fair noted, the fan theory was that Jon’s real first name was Jaeharys. However, it was revealed that his real first name is Aegon. Different clues revealed the identity of his parents and his real last name.
Gilly reading about an annulment, the flashback to the wedding of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and Jon’s mother’s dying words were all clues that Jon’s last name is actually Targaryen.
However, before Jon’s true identity was revealed there was a long-running fan theory about Samwell. Many thought that he didn’t fit in with the house of Tarly because he was the real Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
While Jon Snow got that storyline on the HBO series, his parentage has not been fully resolved in the novels.
Could another big plot twist be revealed in ‘The Winds of Winter?’
It’s no secret that the storyline on HBO’s Game of Thrones didn’t exactly follow Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books. According to Metro, the new fan theory is that The Winds of Winter will reveal that the actual Aegon Targaryen is Samwell Tarly.
The shocking twist would be that Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly are brothers. The theory suggests that the brothers were separated when Randall Tarly adopted Samwell and raised him as his own.
This could be the root of the notorious feud between Samwell and his father and explain Randall’s cruelty. This theory also raises more questions. Did Randall send Samwell to the Night’s Watch as a form of protection, not a punishment?
It is quite possible that Samwell will end up being the hero of the story that fulfills the prophecy.
The Winds of Winter does not yet have a release date. All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available for streaming on HBO Max.
