For fans of both the book and HBO versions of George R.R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones saga, the true parentage of Jon Snow is a key topic of speculation. We definitely know he’s Ned Stark’s bastard, but evidence suggests that Ned isn’t his real father (possibly giving him “double bastard” status).
And so, the internet is as swollen with Jon Snow parent theories as it is with Illuminati theories, cat videos, Big Lebowski supercuts, and Gamergate attacks on women. The prevailing theory is that Jon is actually Ned’s nephew, and the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, also known as “R + L = J.” There’s other initials that folks have tried to plug into the “X + Y = J” equation, and there’s even a theory that posits Lyanna had twins.
All of that pales in comparison to one man’s new theory that, if true, threatens to upend Westeros, if not rip an hole between the worlds of Jon Snow and Kit Harington. We’re not sure who exactly this “Kyle” character is (Editor’s note: He’s a made up megafan), and his theory seemingly stretches credulity; his credentials including being a “big Game Of Thrones fan,” and a “very attentive viewer.” Kyle also is the host of Mashable’s (fairly sarcastic) “Theory Corner,” and previously unpacked other pop-culture enigmas, which should give you a sense of how serious his analysis is.
By wading through sordid tales of unintended pregnancies, and merge divergent timelines, Kyle weaves a compelling conspiracy that goes all the way up to George R.R. Martin himself. Plus, there’s all of the elaborate codes hidden in the book that speak directly to Kyle.
Even if Kyle’s conjecture is somehow invalidated, you’ll be forced to acknowledge the authenticity of the motivations behind the theory. In fact, upon hearing Kyle’s arguments, you may cease to entertain the possibility of alternate theories being true.