Summary
House of the Dragon fixes a plot hole by connecting Rhaegar's naming of Jon Snow to Aegon's dream.
The House of the Dragon reimagines Jon Snow's narrative, highlighting his crucial part in uniting Westeros in the face of the White Walkers threat. Jon Snow ultimately fulfills the prophecy, assuming the role of the Prince That Was Promised, marking a significant milestone in the Targaryens' legacy.
House of the Dragon brought significant changes and additions to the Game of Thrones storyline, specifically addressing a plot hole involving Jon Snow and his father, Rhaegar Targaryen. Taking place approximately 200 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon provided new context and a deeper exploration of House Targaryen's violent and lengthy history. This narrative thread highlights the impending civil war that threatens to tear the family apart, leading to Daenerys' belief that she is the last surviving Targaryen, and also sheds light on how power and the pursuit of the Iron Throne corrupted the once mighty house.
However, the most significant change is the revelation of Aegon the Conqueror's vision of the White Walkers. This retcon, titled A Song of Ice and Fire, completely shifts the Targaryens' purpose for being in Westeros. Rather than solely seeking ambition and power, the Targaryens came to save the realm from the impending darkness. This addition to the lore not only enriches the story but also has intriguing implications for Game of Thrones, notably impacting Jon Snow's narrative.
Aegon’s Dream Explains Why Rhaegar Named Jon Snow “Aegon” (When That Was His First Son)
The season 7 finale of Game of Thrones revealed that Jon Snow's Targaryen name is Aegon, which may seem like an obvious choice since it is a common Targaryen name. However, it created confusion as Rhaegar, Jon's father, also had a son named Aegon who died as an infant during Robert's Rebellion. It was unclear why Rhaegar would give his second son the same name, and the show provided no explanation. Despite this confusion, House of the Dragon, a spin-off series, resolves the issue by connecting Rhaegar's obsession with the Prince That Was Promised prophecy to Aegon's dream. This merger of prophecies suggests that Rhaegar believed his child to be the prophesied savior. Given Rhaegar's extensive research on Targaryen history and prophecies, it is likely that he was aware of this connection.
Your browser does not have the capability to support the video tag, which implies that Rhaegar intentionally chose to name his second son Aegon. Considering his aim to fulfill Aegon's dream, it makes sense that he would bestow this name upon his sons. Even prior to this, it was evident that Rhaegar believed his child with Lyanna Stark had a stronger likelihood of being the Prince That Was Promised, a prophesied individual born of both ice and fire. By naming Jon as Aegon, he further solidifies his conviction in Jon's role as the chosen one.
How House Of The Dragon Changed Jon Snow’s Story (Was He The Prince That Was Promised?)
House of the Dragon reimagined Jon Snow's narrative, elevating the significance of his Targaryen lineage beyond what Game of Thrones had achieved. The primary objective of House of the Dragon was to unite the people of Westeros and vanquish the White Walkers. Although Jon Snow did not seize the Iron Throne or personally slay the Night King, the conflict against them would not have materialized without his pivotal role. As the embodiment of both ice and fire, he rallied the realm and played an indispensable part in its salvation.
Therefore, it is plausible to consider Jon Snow as the Prince That Was Promised. Daenerys, too, possessed a legitimate claim as a pure-blooded Targaryen. She was aptly titled Queen, reintroduced dragons into existence, and played a crucial role in combating the White Walkers. The prophecy's ambiguity allows for arguments in favor of either, or both, individuals. However, Jon Snow's unwavering dedication to defeating the army of the dead, coupled with his identity as the last Aegon Targaryen, undeniably satisfies the prerequisites.
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After killing Daenerys, Jon Snow ultimately chooses to leave the populated areas of Westeros behind and return beyond the Wall. This decision signifies his complete renouncement of his Targaryen identity and can be seen as his preference for the icy northern lands over the fiery legacy of his lineage. In doing so, Jon effectively removes the Targaryen family from the storyline, thereby fulfilling their ultimate purpose. This event signifies the culmination of the Targaryen legacy, which began with Aegon the Conqueror and is now concluded by Jon Snow, also known as Aegon Targaryen.