Oh shit, my friends.
As the annual Game of Thrones fever does its familiar ramp-up prior to the release of the new season (COULD JULY COME ANY SLOWER???), we’ve scored a flurry of rumours, fan-theories and potential slip-ups.
Latest and juiciest: it looks like someone’s leaked a page from an upcoming edition of Empire magazine that reveals Jon Snow‘s real name.
You may remember the head-exploding confirmation of the R + L = J theory in the finale of season 6 (SPOILERS: Jon Snow is not Ned Stark‘s bastard, but actually the son of Ned’s sister Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen, making him an actual heir to the Iron Throne – if Lyanna and Rhaegar’s marriage was official, which is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish that fans are desperately hoping will be addressed in the coming season BUT ANYWAY I DIGRESS).
During that scene in the Tower of Joy, Lyanna whispers to Ned, “His name is…” and then the next word is inaudible.
Check it out at 3:49 in the clip below.
Fans have been speculating about what exactly she said for the last year, and now a pic posted to Reddit by u/theshivsharma appears to confirm one of the strongest contenders:
Jon Snow is actually Jaehaerys Targaryen.
no shit, JaeHae
Some people are feeling a little perturbed by this development.
“jon snow’s real name is jaehaerys targaryen” pic.twitter.com/uSCnHvNtQZ
— luqas (@pvnkasfvck) June 16, 2017
SPOILERS:
It’s obviously Jonsnowaerys Targaryen. https://t.co/XWGT7qJpsW
— Sean Kelley w/ 2 E’s (@SeanOfKelley) June 16, 2017
“You know nothing Jo–” *checks smudged ink on palm* “–err, Jeff? Jake?” https://t.co/yhQ5HnmEQD
— Alyssa Syahmina (@Astrapios) June 16, 2017
I’m actually 85% certain this is not the case and VERY curious how this particular tidbit made it into print. https://t.co/QjoMZQytZb
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) June 16, 2017
JAEHAERYS TARGARYEN FIRST OF HIS NAME KING IN THE NORTH
— toni #RenewSense8 (@gameofgays) June 16, 2017
The name does actually make a lot of sense: apparently Jaehaerys I was the longest reigning Targaryen king in history, and seemed to be an all-round pretty good guy. And a dragon-rider.
Foreshadowing? We can only hope so. Until then, we know nothing… Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Ah, it’s just not the same.
Source: Decider.
Image: Game of Thrones.
