Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Game of Thrones" season six, including speculation of future events.
While fans are freaking out about the resurrection of Jon Snow and other major moments in the new season so far, others are already looking forward to the next episode. Based on the teaser for "Oathbreaker," plus shots from the previously released trailers, it looks like we're finally going to see a moment fans have been waiting to see on screen for a long time.
Last chance to head back before potential spoilers for "Game of Thrones" season six!
In next week's episode, we'll see Bran Stark enter another flashback vision with his greensight mentor Bloodraven. Based on the context clues, and new dialogue ripped straight from the books, we can assume this will be the Tower of Joy.
For those who have only watched the show this may not mean much; however, book readers will recognize the scene's name. This was a flashback sequence in the books, and it's known for hinting at a popular fan theory known as "R+L=J," which centers around Jon Snow's parentage.
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).
The Tower of Joy and "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?
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!).
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.
The "Oathbreaker" teaser even included some dialogue straight from the scene in the books. When Ned's men stand and face the three powerful Kingsguard, their leader Arthur Dayne says "And now it begins."
"No," Ned said with sadness in his voice. "Now it ends."
This is one of the most chilling lines from the book sequence, and the showrunners are clearly aiming to give fans what they want. We can't wait to see how the rest of the scene plays out.
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.
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.
And — now that Jon has returned from the dead — learning the truth about his important backstory would be a big character moment for him.
The only questions remains is how Jon will find out. 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. Or will he leave Bloodraven's cave and tell Jon in person? Either way, Jon may soon arise as Jon Stark (Starkgaryen? Targstark? Stargarysnow?) and continue being the series hero fans have come to love.
