If “Game of Thrones” believed that Episode 4 “The Spoils of War” was by far the most exciting episode of the season with the epic loot train attack, that belief became short lived. In Episode 5 “Eastwatch,” revelations were revealed quickly, which changes the whole game for the race to the Iron Throne. Here are the 3 most important bombshells that left fans shell-shocked.
Jon can tame dragons.
In a scene that was worthy of “How to Tame your Dragons," Jon Snow had his first encounter with Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon Drogon, who was fresh from incinerating Randyll and Dickon Tarley after the loot train attack.
Daenerys was surprised to see how, after initial hesitation, Drogon allowed himself to be touched by the King of the North and calmly received his attention. This earned the approval of Daenerys. However, fans theorized that the reason for the dragon’s uncanny behavior could be that Drogon sensed that Jon Snow has Targaryen blood. This was further supported by Dany’s statement that he saw the dragons as her children, and not beasts.
Littlefinger is plotting against Arya
In “Game of Thrones'” seven seasons of airing, Lord Petyr Baelish has remained consistent as a character who plots and schemes his way into getting what he wants. After the Northern bannermen criticize Jon for leaving Winterfell and praising Sansa for her role in winning the Battle of the Bastards, Baelish sensed a brewing discord between Arya and Sansa.
Knowing that Arya was following him, he deliberately left the note that Sansa wrote to Rob and Catelyn Stark urging them to accept Joffrey as king and declaring their father Ned, a traitor. While Arya did not know that Sansa was manipulated into writing the letter which eventually helped Rob decide to march to King’s Landing to save his family, the seeds of doubt have been effectively planted in her mind.
It is not yet clear what Littlefinger’s plans for the end game are, but they most likely include making Sansa the permanent ruler of the North.
Jon may be a legitimate Targaryen
After it was revealed last season that Jon Snow was not the bastard son of Ned Stark, but the son of his sister Lyanna, the R = L = J theory gained some ground.
The fan theory posits that Jon is the bastard son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
However, in a new revelation in “Eastwatch,” Gilly comes across an entry in a Maester’s journal that states that Rhaegar annulled his marriage to Elia Martel to marry another woman. This is contrary to the rebellion theory, which fueled Robert Baratheon’s attack on Rhaegar for allegedly kidnapping his betrothed, Lyanna. The new revelation may mean that Rhaegar and Lyanna eloped and had their baby legitimately.
This means that in the succession to the Iron Throne, Jon Snow may have a stronger claim to the throne than Dany since he is the son of the eldest son of King Aerys II. Daenerys, who is believed to be the only Targaryen left in her family, is the youngest in the Mad King’s brood.
With Jon Snow, Ser Jorah Mormont, Gendry, Tormund Giantsbane, the Hound and the Brotherhood without Banners setting off beyond the wall to find proof that White Walkers exist, the penultimate episode of “Game of Thrones” promises to be even more exciting. The good news is that it will clock in at 71 minutes.