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It looks like we’ll be getting a big flashback sequence on ‘Game of Thrones’ next season

HBO surprised fans with a full trailer for "Game of Thrones" season six Thursday afternoon.

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While fans are freaking out about the fate of Jon Snow and other hints about the new season, there are two quick shots of footage you may have overlooked that hint at a huge flashback sequence for the next season. the two scenes may confirm one of the biggest "Game of Thrones" theories fans have been hoping to see play out for years. 

Last chance to head back before potential spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season six!

More than halfway through the trailer we see these two shots:

game of thrones season 6 TOWER OF JOY???
HBO
game of thrones season 6 FLASHBACK -- TOWER OF JOY
HBO

It looks like a simple set up for a battle scene, right? 

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Take a closer look.

See that insignia on the armor, here?

game of thrones tower joy
HBO

That's the House Targaryen sigil: a three-headed dragon. There aren't any modern Targaryen soldiers in the world of Westeros, and a Stark soldier hasn't come up against a man from House Targaryen, so this must be a flashback. 

For those who have watched the show this may not mean much; however, book readers will recognize these two scenes are most likely hinting at a popular fan theory known as "R+L=J," which centers around Jon Snow's parentage.

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The theory asserts that Jon Snow isn't the bastard son of Ned Stark. Instead, he's the son of Ned's sister Lyanna and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (hence the whole R+L=J equation). 

So what do those two images have to do with R+L=J?

In the book "A Game of Thrones," Ned Stark has a significant dream. A dream "of three knights in white cloaks, and a tower long fallen, and Lyanna in her bed of blood."

The knights in white cloaks are three members of the Kingsguard who are sworn to protect either the ruling king or his family. At the time of this memory, the Kingsguard are loyal to either Rhaegar or Aerys Targaryen who were both slain during Robert's Rebellion. So why are the three kingsguard men at this mysterious tower, after the battle is over?

Lyanna and Rhaegar by Mustamirri Game of Thrones
A fan's imagining of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. Mustamirri/DeviantArt

This is where "R + L = J" comes into play. We know from Ned's memory that Lyanna Stark is inside the tower, dying in her "bed of blood." Ned has come for her, but the Kingsguard are protecting the tower and won't let Ned through. Fans believe Lyanna's "bed of blood" means she's giving birth to a child — and it's going badly. The Kingsguard are most likely there to protect the child of Rhaegar and Lyanna. That child is presumed to be Jon Snow (dun dun dun!).

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Ned did not come alone on his rescue mission. Ned brings six friends, and they fight fiercely against the three kingsguard in order to get into the tower.

That's who we believe we're seeing here in this image from the new trailer. 

game of thrones season 6 TOWER OF JOY???
Missing, of course, is a seventh man on a horse. HBO

In the books, Ned remembers the fight: "As they came together in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. 'Eddard!' she called. A storm of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death." Then, Ned remembers Lyanna begging him to promise something to her, over and over, before dying. 

The "R + L = J" believers think this "promise" Ned made was a vow to protect Jon. Robert Baratheon would not have allowed Jon — the son of Rhaegar and his former-betrothed Lyanna — to live. Not only would that make Jon part Targaryen, the family Robert hates with a passion, but it could also mean Jon has a claim to the throne. 

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Ned and Jon Game of Thrones S1E2
HBO

Depending on whether or not Jon was legitimized through marriage or royal decree, he could technically be the heir to the Iron Throne. 

So why does all this matter?

The appearance of this flashback in season six has major implications. First, it means we could finally learn about Jon's true parentage — a mystery to both book readers and show watchers alike. Most fans accept the "R + L = J" theory as fact, but getting official confirmation will be a huge moment for the fandom.

Secondly, people believe the addition of this flashback means more security in the belief that Jon will be resurrected. What is the point of revealing the parents of a dead man? We believe this flashback will be a part of Jon's overall story arc this season, including his return to life. 

The flashback will most likely happen from the point of view of Bran and Bloodraven having a greensight vision into the past. If Bran learns the truth about Jon's parents, he may be able to find a way of communicating that to Jon or someone else who can tell Jon. Then, Jon can arise as Jon Stark (Starkgaryen? Targstark? Stargarysnow?) and continue being the protagonist, good-guy fans have come to love.

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Get hype, because season six is about to blow minds.

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