25 Game of Thrones theories fans need to know for season 8

Episode 66 (season 7, episode 6), debut 8/20/17: Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke.

photo: courtesy of HBO

Tyrion is a Targaryen

The seventh season of Game of Thrones confirmed a long-suspected fan theory that Jon Snow is actually the child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen—making him a Targaryen and potentially the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. But some fans believe that Jon might not be the only Targaryen hidden under another name in the show.

In fact, many fans believe that Tyrion Lannister may also be of Targaryen descent. This would serve as an explanation for why Daenerys’ dragons take so well to him in the catacombs, and it would also make sense of the fascination Tyrion has had with dragons since childhood.

For this theory to be true, Tyrion would need to be the son of Joanna Lannister and a Targaryen man—most likely the “Mad King,” Aerys Targaryen. The A Song of Ice and Fire books suggest that Aerys was infatuated with Joanna Lannister, and fans have considered several possible outcomes of this. It’s possible that the king forced himself on Joanna, though it’s equally as likely that she might have returned his feelings at one point.

Whatever the case, if this is Tyrion’s true parentage, it could also explain Tywin’s hatred for his youngest son. Fans have theorized that Tywin might have suspected that Tyrion wasn’t his own, keeping him for Joanna’s sake but despising him for what he represents. His final words to Tyrion are even “You’re no son of mine.” The words could have been spoken in anger, given that Tyrion just shot him with a crossbow, but they also could hold more meaning than viewers would expect.