Impact of Jon Snow’s Character Death on 'Game of Thrones': Rewriting the Narrative

The question of what would have happened if Jon Snow's character had stayed dead at the end of Game of Thrones Season 5 continues to intrigue GoT fans. Jon's absence would undeniably have reshaped the narrative trajectory of the series, changing alliances, and altering character arcs. Let's delve deeper into the potential impacts on key characters and storylines.

Daenerys Targaryen's Arc

Jon’s death would have drastically altered Daenerys Targaryen's journey. The possibility of her alliance with Jon would have been eliminated, potentially leading to a different power dynamic in Westeros. Without his influence and moral compass, Daenerys might have pursued her goals with a more ruthless approach.

The Night's Watch and the North

Without Jon, the Night's Watch may have struggled to maintain unity and purpose. His leadership was crucial in rallying the Watch against threats from both the North and the White Walkers. The political landscape in the North would also have shifted, with other leaders rising to fill the void left by Jon's absence.

Sansa Stark's Development

Sansa's growth into a strong leader would have been more pronounced without Jon's support. Her relationships with other characters, such as Arya and Bran, would have evolved differently. The Stark family dynamics would also have been significantly altered, with Arya and Bran potentially taking on different roles and the sense of family unity being weakened.

The Battle Against the White Walkers

Jon was a key figure in the fight against the White Walkers. Without him, the strategy and leadership in this conflict would have been less effective. This could have led to a different outcome in the battle for Westeros, potentially altering the final confrontation with the Night King.

Themes of Heroism and Sacrifice

Jon's character embodies the themes of sacrifice and duty. Without his resurrection, these themes might have been explored through other characters, potentially altering the show’s moral landscape. The GoT universe would have had to find new ways to convey these themes, likely through different characters and story arcs.

San's Stark's Strategy in the North

As Sansa had promised, her plan was to take the North back on her own. If her Brienne and Podrick had come to the Wall only to learn Jon had died, Sansa would have needed to regroup and find other allies. She would have contacted House Hornwood and House Mazin, but knowing these forces were insufficient, she would have turned back to Petyr Baelish for more substantial support. Baelish would send Brienne to recruit House Clegane, with Sansa waiting until the full strength of the Arryns could be brought to bear.

The forces of the North would be pitted against the Boltons, with 6000 troops facing 45,000. The Vale knights, accustomed to fighting in harsh conditions, would march up to Winterfell and engage Ramsay Bolton in a siege. Ideally, they would defeat Ramsay and name Sansa Queen of the North. Rickon would remain the victim of Ramsay's cruelty.

Dany's Reaction to Sansa's Independence

Sansa would refuse to meet up with Daenerys and would instead send Brienne to negotiate a peace deal to fight the White Walkers. Bran Stark, having forewarned Daenerys about the impending threat, would have ensured that Daenerys understood the importance of reinforcing defenses and preparing for a long resistance.

Daenerys would have ultimately destroyed Cersei and would see no reason to oppose Sansa’s claim to the North. Daenerys would continue the war, but changes in strategy would be necessary if the Night King's army were to continue pushing south. Sansa's claim to the North would be significant, and it would be a challenge for Daenerys to reconcile her desire to conquer the entire continent with her need to ensure the survival of Westeros.