Summary
Unbeknownst to even himself, Jon Snow lived his life as the illegitimate son of Ned Stark, sired by an unknown woman during Robert’s Rebellion. Mistreated and neglected, Jon lived on breadcrumbs despite his royal blood. He remained in Robb Stark’s shadow, as his half-brother was better than him at everything. But Jon has one remarkable quality - he was open to learning. As seen inGame of Thrones, he possessed courage and an unbreakable fighting spirit.
Jon had the quintessential traits of a hero. Famous for wearing a forlorn look—whether at Winterfell, at the Wall, beyond the Wall, at Dragonstone, or in King’s Landing. Everything that came his way wasn’t a result of his birth, but of sheer hard work and talent. He willingly chose to man the Wall and rose as the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch order. Wherever Jon went, he led. He ended Daenerys Targaryen’s tyranny in a single selfless act, always putting others before himself. He stole the show countless times onGame of Thrones—from day one at Castle Black to the moment he found out he wasthe trueborn son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
8Saving Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
Season 1, Episode 8: “The Pointy End”
Jon Snow’s predecessor, Jeor Mormont, was nearly killed by a wight at night in one of the earliest confrontations the Night’s Watch had with the Dead. Jon, alerted by Ghost, saved Mormont’s life. He acted on his instincts, and for his act of heroism, Jeor bestowed upon him his ancestralValyrian Steel sword, Longclaw.
Truthfully, Jeor played a pivotal role in grooming Jon into a leader. He taught Jon to temper his anger, hone his instincts, and stay silent when necessary. He and Tyrion Lannister instill in Jon a deep sense of justice — one that would shape the hero within him.
7The Battle of Castle Black
Season 4, Episode 9: “The Watchers on the Wall”
Jon plays a pivotal role inthe Battle of Castle Black, defending his place against the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder’s army, composed of the Hornfoots, the Ice-river clans, and giants riding mammoths. He’s done his bit by infiltrating the Free Folk and bringing useful intelligence to Castle Black. Jon oversees the training of the men and takes charge of the Wall’s defense during the battle.
Mance gives the battle signal, while Tormund Giantsbane leads the assault. The most heroic moment comes when his betrayed lover, Ygritte of the Free Folk, points her bow at him. Jon smiles at her while she struggles to shoot. In the meantime, Olly hits her from behind, and she dies in Jon’s arms.
“Do you remember that cave? We should have stayed in that cave,” she says to Jon, as the battle rages on around them.
6Putting An Arrow In Mance Rayder’s Heart
Season 5, Episode 1: “The Wars To Come”
In an emotionally intense moment, Jon shoots Mance Rayder through the heart to give him a merciful death. Stannis, now gearing up in the North, holds Mance prisoner at Castle Black, waiting for him to fold. Mance refuses to bend the knee to a “southern” lord, but he chooses to die with his honor intact. Jon does his best to convince Mance to save his life and the lives of his followers, but he refuses.
The Red Woman, Melisandre, lights the pyre, and Mance cries out in agony. Finally, Jon puts him out of his misery with an arrow through the heart. In that moment, he demonstrates he leads with both strength and compassion.
5Becoming Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch
Season 5, Episode 2: “The House of Black And White”
Jon’s election asLord Commander of the Night’s Watchis the single greatest thing in the history of the Watch. By the time of this choosing, Jon had proved himself time and again. His rival, Alliser Thorne, has used every opportunity to hurt him, while Jon stays focused on what truly matters — defending Castle Black and protecting the realms of men.
Jon isn’t power-hungry, but was nominated by Sam, knowing he’s the only one who can lead in the difficult times ahead. Jon and Alliser are tied, but Maester Aemon casts the deciding chip in Jon’s favor — and the rest is history.
4Allying With The Wildlings
His Unwavering Resolve And Boldest Stand
Jon’s sympathy for the Wildlings stemmed from a place of social justice. Ever since his time infiltrating their ranks, Jon learned that they were just as human — only born on the wrong side of the Wall. Being a visionary, Jon saw that the only way to end the animosity was to bring them to the safer side to prevent them from being added to the army of the dead.
He spoke to the Wildlings and his brothers about allying, each time earning the wrath of the opposing sides. He parleyed with them at Hardhome, but lost to the Night King’s army. Jon went to treat with Mance after the Battle of Castle Black, and later withthe remaining Free Folk at Hardhome, for one reason alone: he didn’t want helpless, poor people to die for nothing.
3Hardhome
Season 5, Episode 8: “Hardhome”
One of Jon’s heroic and show-stealing moments is his rescue mission to the Free Folk settlement of Hardhome. Jon tries to treat with whatever remains of Mance’s army, but the Night King’s army of the Dead ambushes them. Jon takes this step after consulting Maester Aemon Targaryen, who advises him that, as Lord Commander, he must “Kill the boy, and let the man be born.”
At Hardhome, Jon fights a White Walker and smashes it using Longclaw —demonstrating Valyrian Steel’s worth. He manages to save a few of the Free Folk, but just as they prepare to flee, the Night King locks eyes with Jon and silently raises his arms, reanimating the dead into wights. Jon looks in terror, realizing they are unprepared for what’s coming.
2Resurrection
Season 6, Episode 3 “Oathbreaker”
Jon’s resurrection makes him more of a hero than any battle, fight, or bold stance ever could. After his evacuation mission, a group of Night’s Watch brothers, led by Alliser Thorne, stage a mutiny against him. Olly lures Jon outside at night, while the mutineers stab him one by one.
Davos and a few of Jon’s loyalists move his corpse inside. At Davos' urging, the Red Woman performs a ritual and bringsJon back to life. Once resurrected, Jon rounds up and executes his killers. He frees himself from his oath, declaring, “My watch is ended,” after he hands over his cloak to Edd.
1Battle of the Bastards
Season 6, Episode 9: “Battle of the Bastards”
Jon proves himself a true Stark as he wages war against Ramsay Bolton for control of the North. After escaping from Ramsay’s clutches, Sansa arrives at Castle Black and urges Jon to help her retake their home, Winterfell.
Outnumbered, Jon continues to fight valiantlyagainst the Boltonarmy, but the Knights of the Vale turn the tide in their favor. Jon chases after Ramsay, using Wun Wun to breach the gates of Winterfell. Wun Wun falls, but Jon beats Ramsay to a pulp. He avenges the Red Wedding and is declared the King in the North in the subsequent convention held in Winterfell’s great hall.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, tells the sprawling story of warring families in Westeros. This includes the Starks, the Lannisters, the Baratheons, and the Targaryens. Along with human conflicts, Westeros is also threatened by the re-emergence of dragons, and an undead enemy from beyond the Wall.
