Game of Thrones season 8 episode 1: 5 things you need to know

Kit Harington as Jon Snow and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen – Photo: Courtesy of HBO

Jon has a better claim than Daenerys?

This one goes hand-in-hand with how Jon can ride a dragon. The laws of inheritance are weird, but it basically comes down to this. Sam is correct when he says that Jon has a better claim to the throne. Since Jon’s parents were married, he’s not a bastard, and can thus inherit. His father also happened to be Rhaegar Targaryen, crown prince and the Mad King’s heir. Because Rhaegar was born first, his heirs have a better claim than Daenerys does, and since Jon is Rhaegar’s only heir, Jon comes before Daenerys.

(Basically, it’s like how Prince William’s children come before Prince Harry when it comes to the throne of the United Kingdom, despite Prince Harry being a full-grown adult.)

This is also a pretty serious question that Jon has to wrestle with. We know that he’s enamored with her.

The Stark pack survives

For all that none of the living members of the Stark family are the same as when they were last at Winterfell together, there’s still a strong amount of love between them. Jon’s hug and kiss to Bran’s forehead, and Arya running to Jon tells us that this family still loves each other, and deeply. It won’t bring them all through this, no, but there are divisions even as love remains.

Rewatch Jon and Arya’s scene in the godswood, and notice that even Arya tells him “don’t forget” that they’re all family. She’s also on Sansa’s side in all this, saying that Sansa “is the smartest person I’ve ever met.” As someone who’s traveled further than pretty much any of the other Starks, she has reason to know.

Daenerys Targaryen is going to have a tough time breaking into this family unit.