Note: This is only a theory, so there's no spoilers for the actual show or books. But if you're really allergic to any hint of a spoiler then maybe proceed with caution.
So, you know Jon Snow? Commonly referred to as "Ned Stark's bastard." No idea who his mother is.
Turns out the secret of who his mother is could actually be very significant.
LOL THANKS NED.
In fact, guessing the identity of Jon Snow's mother was actually the test George R. R. Martin gave David Benioff and D. B. Weiss when they asked if they could adapt his books into a show.
Many fans believe the answer they gave was Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister.
But before you freak out that this is another Jaime/Cersei situation, don't worry — the theory goes that Ned is not actually Jon's father, and that Rhaegar Targaryen is.
Remember, Rhaegar was the one who kidnapped Lyanna, causing her fiancé Robert Baratheon to go to war, kill Rhaegar, and become king.
Lyanna died in the meantime, and Ned went home to Winterfell, after fighting alongside Robert, with a dead sister and a new baby.
A baby who, according to the theory, he claimed as his own bastard to protect him from Robert and the Lannisters, who were killing Targaryens left and right.
Watch this video by YouTuber Alt Shift X for an amazing rundown of all the evidence for this theory, as well as the potential implications.
View this video on YouTube
Woah.
