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Jon Finally Learned Who His Parents Are & It May Complicate Things With Dany

by Rebecca Patton
Helen Sloan/HBO

Jon Snow has been through a lot during the course of Game of Thrones, between falling in love with a Wilding, seeing her get killed, getting killed himself, coming back to life, and now receiving some unexpected news regarding his parentage. Jon learned he was a Targaryen on the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere, which may have been welcome news if he hadn't just had sex with his aunt. Yikes.

Audiences already knew about Jon's lineage, which Sam learned about in Season 7. However, in the April 14 premiere, Bran (aka the Three-Eyed Raven) tells Samwell Tarly that it's finally time that Jon knew the truth. "He trusts you more than anyone," Bran tells him. "Now's the time." And while Sam follows the greenseer's advice, he dreads breaking the uncomfortable news.

Sam finally summons the courage to break the news that would alter the entire trajectory of Jon's life — that his father was Rhaegar Targaryen. "You've never been a bastard," Tarly says. "You're Aegon Targaryen, true heir to the Iron Throne." Jon is initially upset, since he loved Ned Stark. And if what Sam is saying is true, then that mean his father had lied to him his entire life. And while his best friend explains that it was to protect him, it's still a difficult pill to swallow.

That said, Sam's news is also awkward because Jon just boinked his aunt. See, Daenerys's father was Aerys Targaryen, who was Jon's grandfather. And while they had no way of knowing this (Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar's relationship was the best-kept secret in Westeros), the King in the North is no doubt kicking himself for catching feelings. But he doesn't say any of this, instead managing a faint, "Daenerys should be queen."

Incest has long been a staple of the Game of Thrones universe (or must we remind you of why Bran is in a wheelchair right now?). However, accidental incest is another thing entirely, and Jon and Dany are likely going to have to an unpleasant talk to determine where they stand. Because their feelings aren't just going to go away, but it would be...super weird to act on them now. But then again, incest is kind of the Targaryen's MO, so perhaps it won't change anything in the end. Well, that's if both Dany and Jon make it through Season 8, which is doubtful.

This is also awkward for Jon, since Dany was under the impression that she had the most legitimate claim to the throne. But in waltzes in this bastard who just happens to be her long-lost nephew? It sort of changes everyone's strategy, whether they want to admit it or not.

While it's too soon to tell, this news may put the two royals at odds with each other. This, of course, would be bad news because the Unsullied and Winterfell are supposed to to join forces in order to fend off the Night Walkers. After all, the night is dark and full of terrors. And apparently, your aunt.