Please don't sacrifice me to the Lord of Light for saying what I'm about to say. It's been two days since the Game of Thrones season finale aired and I think I'm finally processing what happened. While a selfish part of me wants it to happen, there's a part of me that's thinking maybe Jon Snow shouldn't be brought back to life on Game of Thrones.
Is this just my way of dealing with the fact that interviews with both the Game of Thrones producers and actor Kit Harington himself insist that Jon's not coming back? Perhaps. It would be nice to believe them, but avoiding spoilers has made liars before. I also read interviews that insisted Benedict Cumberbatch was not playing Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness, and that's exactly what happened. There are plenty of ways to explain Jon Snow's death or Kit Harington's absence away. I'm definitely able to sustain my denial until Season 6.
However, just in case this is the reality now in Westeros, I'm going to try to accept it. Here are a few reasons why it may actually be good if Jon stays dead — if he is in fact dead in the first place. What's a little blood spilt between brothers of the Night's Watch, am I right?
If you've made it this far, I'm assuming you've seen the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale. However, there are a few book spoilersbelow, so hitch a ride with Sam to the Citadel before reading.
He Could Become A Wight/White Walker
The clock's ticking in Westeros. If there's any hope for Jon Snow's recovery, they've got to get his body South and fast. Otherwise, the Night's Watch and/or the Wildlings will burn it to prevent him from becoming a wight. Heck, the Night's King had his eye on Jon Snow — are we sure that only babies can become White Walkers? I'd rather see Jon Snow become an evil White Walker than a simple snow zombie, but both options give me the creeps.
He Still Won't Be The Same
Sure, we've seen a few different "takes" on resurrection in George R. R. Martin's series. They aren't all quite like the Frankenstein-esque tale of Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane. Beric Dondarrion told Arya that every time he comes back, he's a little bit less of the person he used to be. It reminded me a little bit of the theory behind horcruxes in the Harry Potter series. However, he still seems relatively okay after his six deaths.
Lady Stoneheart, on the other hand, is not much like her old self. She almost kills Brienne of Tarth, who is Catelyn Stark's most loyal follower beyond the grave. The undead matriarch goes on a killing spree that's understood but often devoid of logic or reason. I don't think I want Jon to lose sight of his goals, and he's got almost as many enemies as her.
We'll Get To Focus On Other Characters
Like... the Greyjoys. Yay? I think I have to get a little further along in the A Song Of Ice And Fire books myself to care about all the drama going on at the Iron Islands. However, I am little excited to follow Samwell Tarly and Gilly's adventures for a while next season.
It's Kind Of Brilliant
My roommate loves to bring up the beetle anecdote that Tyrion discussed with Jaime while he was in prison last season. No matter how much Tyrion tried to make sense of Orson Lannister's penchant for smashing beetles, he couldn't. Sometimes stories have red herrings and sometimes people just die.
Oh Okay, Fine, I Take It All Back
Save Jon Snow, I don't care what the consequences are! He obviously has a destiny to fulfill, I just know it. What was I thinking? He can take a season or two off, like Bran — I'll accept that.
Honestly, I'll put my trust in both the HBO series and the A Song of Ice and Fire novels — even if they choose different paths with this character. Would I rather Jon Snow be dead, or an evil zombie? There's only one way to find out. The best news is that that there are several roads that Jon Snow can take even after that brutal stabbing. Melisandre could bring him back to life. The Night's King could bring him back to life. He could warg into Ghost. (In retrospect, maybe Jon Snow shouldn't have named his direwolf "Ghost" if he wanted to stay alive.) He could be gone forever. Whichever one comes to light is sure to be interesting, I hope.
Images: Helen Sloan/HBO; Giphy (5)
