7 'GoT' Characters Who Embody Jon Snow's Spirit

The summer of 2015 will go down in pop culture history as the summer that every televison-loving person on this Earth made up theory after theory to prove that Jon Snow is still alive. Game of Thrones' whopper of a season finale left fans shocked, upset, and outright inconsolable over the fact that the most beloved character had been killed by the hands of his own men of The Night's Watch. Sure, Game of Thrones had killed off plenty of other popular characters, but no other death on the show has been so universally depressing as Jon Snow's.

It's not just his gorgeous locks and do-gooder personality that make Jon Snow so adored; Jon Snow in many ways is Game of Thrones. For five seasons, the central arc of the storyline always comes back to Jon Snow. He's also the emotional and moral core of a series with a very heartless outlook. Without Jon Snow, there's not much hope left for anyone. Winter has come to Westeros, and, as "Hardhome" proved, he may have been the only man up for the challenge of taking on the Night's King.

Jon Snow's reach as a character goes well beyond the wall. His very spirit, as the heart of the series, lives deeply inside a handful of other characters. Take a look.

1. Daenerys Targaryen

There's a mounting collection of evidence that proves Jon Snow and Dany are actually siblings. Along with their lineage, these two have plenty in common — from their honorable ruling to dealing with mutiny to dealing with heartbreaking losses of love, these two are practically twins. She's the fire to his ice.

2. Brienne of Tarth

A loner who stands out from the rest for loyalty and justice, and is a lifelong protector of Arya Stark? Sounds a lot like Mr. Snow to me.

3. Samwell Tarly

These two are brothers of the watch and brothers of spirit. They put others before themselves and have broken the oath of celibacy with their true loves in the most charming and well-deserved ways. They also seem to have a sixth sense for when the wights are about.

4. Mance Rayder

Enemies at first, these two grew to respect each other greatly, because, at the end of the day, they shared goals and the belief in the greater good. They wanted nothing more than to protect their people and to do it without ever having to compromise their convictions. It's a shame Rayder was killed when he was. Together, these two were a true force to be reckoned with.

5. Jorah Mormont

Despite having nothing but the best intentions, Jorah and Jon are always getting beat up by the world at large.

6. Oberyn Martell

Both Oberyn and Jon have a way of seeing people for who they are at their core; they both shared a very high emotional intelligence. They will also come after you like a bat out of hell if you dishonor one of their sisters.

7. Podrick Payne

I actually sort of feel like Podrick is what would happen if Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly had a lovechild.

Jon Snow can't be dead, because he is the show. Every character with an ounce of good in them has a little bit of Jon Snow in their souls. If that doesn't warm even a Lannister's heart, I don't know what will.

Images: HBO, Giphy (7)