SPOILER ALERT: Warning, this article contains spoilers from Season 7, Episode 5 of Game of Thrones, entitled Eastwatch. Proceed at your own risk.
Game of Thrones fans have been anticipating answers regarding Jon Snow‘s true lineage for ages. Bran Stark got his time-warp on in the Season 6 finale, “The Winds of Winter,” and finally confirmed Jon’s parentage: Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark (R+L=J, FTW). But the question has remained, how the hell will this alter the game of thrones? Jon has Targaryen blood, but he’s a bastard — thus, illegitimate — with no real stake to the Iron Throne, and that’s if he even wanted it. Then there’s the question of when Bran will share this kinda-sort-of important information, and how Jon will react. At this point, there’s a chance Jon will keep it secret just like the whole, “Oh knife in the heart is just a metaphor Davos uses LOL stop asking Dany.”
Many fans thought Samwell Tarly would find a nugget of truth in all those books at the Citadel and rush a raven to Jon about his king’s blood. That was almost the case. But it was unassuming Gilly who happened upon the most vital information of Westerosi history. In Episode 5, “Eastwatch,” Sam was making copies of ancient stuff for Archmaester Ebrose, while Gilly was enjoying this whole “I can read now” thing. She began spouting off fun facts about stairs and bowel movements, then read aloud a damn TRUTH BOMB:
[High Septon] Maynard says here that he issued an annulment for Prince Rhaegar and remarried him to someone else at the same time in a secret ceremony in Dorne.
HOLY SH*T, said everyone everywhere. Jon Snow isn’t a bastard after all. He is a legitimate heir to the Iron Throne.
Unfortunately, Sam did not share this reaction. He and Gilly have no context to put two-and-two together about Jon. Sam is still under the belief that he’s simply Ned Stark’s bastard son. But that didn’t stop the internet from screaming at their television/computer/phone screens as Sam Tarly unknowingly brushed off the most crucial fact bomb of the series.
Gilly for ‘Eastwatch’ MVP
Are we just supposed to act like Gilly didn't just potentially say the most important line of the season? Okay, cool. 🤔 #GameOfThrones
— tom. (@tomalwayswright) August 14, 2017
Gilly Bomb Dropped #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/EiiDivltld
— Charlie Schneider (@AwesomEmergency) August 14, 2017
SAM TESTING THE WORLD RN
"Now here is a super important plot point-"
Sam: OMG NO ONE CARES #GameOfThrones
Me: pic.twitter.com/RPtdxj24di— A Snarky Cat Lady (@ASnarkyCatLady) August 14, 2017
SAMWELL!!! WTF!!! THE ANSWER WAS RIGHT THERE!!!! #NoConfederate #GameofThrones #ThronesYall pic.twitter.com/B2aMuXTcib
— Detective Bagabitch (@Bespectacled_Cy) August 14, 2017
Me when Gilly all but confirms R+L=J and Sam doesn't care. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/0IdD1Pa5Pl
— Joshua Yehl (@JoshuaYehl) August 14, 2017
GILLY: SOME REGGAR GOT AN ANNULMENT AND GOT MARRIED AGAIN
SAM: I'M OUT. HERE BABY HAVE THE BOOK
ME:#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/01slEf5Ob1— billy (@bilzeokjin) August 14, 2017
MEN, amirite?
Sam interrupting Gilly as she makes THE MOST IMPORTANT REVEAL in #GameOfThrones is every woman's experience in every meeting ever
— Abby Brooks (@_abigailbrooks) August 14, 2017
Samwell Tarly: a prime example of one of many reasons why you should never interrupt a woman when she's speaking. #gameofthrones #GOT
— Danielle Weitzman Rivera (@DRivera4490) August 14, 2017
Gilly just dropped the biggest secret in the series, and Sam proves men really are terrible listeners #GameOfThrones
— Nick (@NicolaPapito) August 14, 2017
TMW you realize Jon is a legit Targaryen
So Rhaegar did marry Lyanna. That means Jon truly is the rightful heir to the throne. #GameOfThrones https://t.co/YCmlejJ5oE
— GoT Things (@GoTthings_) August 14, 2017
OMG RHAEGAR AND LYANNA GOT FRICKIN MARRIED CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/pjyvQdEfBe
— Amanda ❤️🩵💜 (@Amandamaziiing) August 14, 2017
Gilly just talked about Rhaegar being secretly remarried. To Ned's sister. That makes Jon Snow a true Targaryen#GameOfThrones #ThronesYall
— Zak Kincaid (@zakkincaid) August 14, 2017
#JonTargaryen first of his name, rightful heir to the throne. #gameofthrones
— Beth Hart (@Hart_Beth) August 14, 2017
They don’t know that we know that they don’t know that we know
Me when Gilly was reading about Rhaegar and Lyanna #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/9wQzqmsjz7
— 🏎✨️amber✨️🏎 (@hallxcinxtion) August 14, 2017
Bowel movements and annulments are of equal importance in Westeros
own to the guy who recorded bowel movements right alongside his annulment and remarrying of PRINCE RAGGER. #GameOfThrones @GameOfOwns
— steph (@starketype) August 14, 2017
Dany ain’t even ready
We can only assume Sam will end up returning to Maynard’s annulment entry once he finds out Jon’s real parentage. But how? When? Sam just stood up for Bran to the Conclave, pleading them to help Bran and believe the White Walkers exist. We’ve seen plenty of reunions this season on Game of Thrones, so let’s hope a Sam and Bran exchange happens soon before we all throw our televisions out the goddamn window.
What do you think about the latest Jon Snow reveal? Share your reactions with us on @getfandom!