Game of Thrones' Shocking Twist: Jon's Controversial Fate Revealed – What Really Happened in Seasons 5-6!

Summary

The death of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones was a significant misstep and did not succeed in surprising viewers, as fans were already expecting his eventual resurrection based on hints from the books.

The showrunners tried to deceive the audience into believing that Jon's death was permanent, but fans were well aware of what was to come and felt condescended to by the show's attempt at creating shock value.

Game of Thrones season 8 failed to give Jon's death fakeout any meaningful justification, as his resurrection had little impact on the overall story and his character lacked purpose. Consequently, killing him off seemed pointless and lacked significance.

Despite the show's reputation for killing off beloved characters, Jon Snow's death in Game of Thrones was a poorly executed attempt at shocking viewers, ultimately becoming one of the series' biggest blunders. While there were several unpopular choices throughout the show's final season, many of these were outweighed by breathtaking plot twists, epic battle scenes, and intricate political maneuverings in Westeros. However, the decision to kill off Jon Snow in season 5 and subsequently resurrect him in season 6 remains one of the most disliked decisions by fans.

Jon Snow's Survival Was Spoiled Almost Immediately

: The season 5 finale of Game of Thrones, titled "Mother's Mercy," sees the shocking demise of Jon Snow, as he is mercilessly stabbed to death under a sign that labeled him a 'traitor' by a faction of the Night's Watch who despised his decision to aid the Wildlings. The final fatal blow is delivered by Jon's very own protégé, Olly. However, in episode 2 of season 6, appropriately titled "Home," Jon experiences an astounding resurrection orchestrated by Melisandre. Despite this moment becoming a widely-discussed topic for the series, many voiced their disappointment over the lack of surprise, reduced intensity, and absence of a clear purpose. Now, with the announcement of a Jon Snow spinoff on the horizon, it is an opportune time to reflect upon one of the most unfortunate choices made by the show's creators.

The Jon Snow death fakeout was poorly received when it first aired, and its age hasn't made it any better. The showrunners may have hoped to convince fans that Jon was truly dead and not returning, drawing inspiration from Jon's story in A Song of Ice and Fire where he is stabbed in the Mutiny at Castle Black. However, they overlooked the fact that fans had known about Jon's death since A Dance With Dragons was published in 2011.

Game Of Thrones Showrunners Pretended They Tricked Audiences

: Jon Snow's resurrection was a topic of discussion among book readers for four years. Prior to his death in Game of Thrones season 5, dedicated fans had already speculated on his return and the manner in which it would occur, even before his body had a chance to cool. Due to the fact that his stabbing had already taken place in the books several years prior, book fans were not at all surprised by the mutiny itself and there was no real controversy surrounding Jon's eventual return in season 6. In terms of its impact, Jon's death was surprisingly inconsequential.

The death scene of Jon Snow failed to leave an impact as fans immediately questioned its authenticity. Although the show had a history of killing off significant characters, starting with Ned Stark's demise in the first season of Game of Thrones, fans collectively believed that Jon Snow's death wouldn't be permanent. In terms of the story, it was evident that the world of Westeros still had unfinished business with Jon Snow. With his lineage as the child of Rhaegar and Lyanna, his significance was crucial - and every reader of the books knew that the series couldn't conclude without exploring this revelation.

The coincidence of The Red Woman, capable of resurrecting people, returning to Castle Black did not go unnoticed by fans or readers of the books. The subtle hints, including Kit Harington's long hair, only added to the belief that Jon Snow would be brought back in Game of Thrones season 6. However, the showrunners chose to disregard the anticipation and treat Jon's death as a shocking and permanent event. Kit Harington confirmed that he was informed about his character's demise.

Despite the widespread belief in Jon's resurrection among Game of Thrones fans, the show continued to act as if it was a surprising twist. This approach did not sit well with the fandom, as patronizing them proved to be a disappointing strategy. It would have been more effective for Game of Thrones to treat Jon's death similar to how Marvel Studios handled Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War. Everyone knew that the dusted heroes would eventually return, and Marvel did not try to pretend otherwise. The excitement stemmed from discovering how they would be brought back.

Game Of Thrones Season 8 Didn't Justify Jon's Death Fakeout

Despite the widespread belief that Jon Snow would be resurrected, the Game of Thrones finale failed to provide any justification for his death fakeout. Season 8 of Game of Thrones is known for its highly disliked ending, and it failed to do justice to the series as a whole. Several unresolved plot points, including Jon Snow's phoenix-like journey, added to the disappointment.

Fans had anticipated that Jon would play a significant role in defeating the Night King or claiming the Iron Throne. However, none of these outcomes were guaranteed. The real disappointment with Jon Snow in Season 8 was that he didn't contribute much to the story. While the show often subverted expectations, making Jon less of a hero than expected was an intriguing concept. Unfortunately, the execution of this idea made him a passive character who only reacts after significant events have unfolded. His late response to killing Daenerys and the overall lack of purpose in his resurrection made it feel ultimately meaningless.

The upcoming spinoff featuring Jon Snow presents an opportunity to address the questionable Game of Thrones twist. The rare occurrence of death and resurrection, even in Westeros, could be explored further in the spinoff, providing more context to the choice. Moreover, House of the Dragon, with its focus on Jon Snow's Targaryen heritage, adds significance to his story. In the early episodes of the spinoff, King Viserys shares Aegon's dream, "A Song of Ice & Fire," potentially revealing more of the prophecy and emphasizing the impact of Jon Snow's death. Nevertheless, the decision to portray Jon Snow's death and subsequent resurrection in Game of Thrones was ill-advised, and season 8 failed to rectify that.

Jon's Return From Death Has To Mean More In The Books

Jon Snow's death in Game of Thrones had a significant impact on his character, especially in how his storyline was handled in the rest of the series. While there remains a possibility that the Jon Snow spinoff could address some of that damage, the ultimate redemption of his death lies in George R. R. Martin's books. Currently, the last we see of Jon in the books is his assassination in A Dance with Dragons. However, the show has confirmed that Jon still has a vital role to play in the story, and the books will also have to resurrect him. This resurrection holds greater significance in the books as they delve deeper into the prophecies of Martin's world, such as the Prince That Was Promised and Jon's true parentage. The books will likely establish a stronger connection between Jon's revival and these prophecies, adding further depth to his return.

Jon's resurrection and its effects will be the most intriguing aspect. The show did not adequately address the ease with which he returned from the dead, neglecting any consequences. However, the books suggest that there is a significant price to pay. In the books, Berric Dondarrion is resurrected multiple times and confesses that he loses part of his humanity with each resurrection. Similarly, Catelyn Stark is revived as Lady Stoneheart and becomes a detached murderer. It is possible that the books will portray Jon losing some of his integrity upon his return, adding depth to his decisions in the later seasons of Game of Thrones.