Episode 1x07: Foreshadowing & Symbolism *Help!*

Question:
I have often wondered, after Benjen refused to take Jon North of the Wall, and he was taking on as Commander Mormont's apprentice if perhaps more people guessed about Jon's parentage, or if they were simply trying to protect Ned Stark's 'bastard'. He can obviously fight, lead men, and inspire others. Why else keep him hidden behind the walls of Castle Black if not to protect the last 'Targaryen' male.

For the books I think it's a tough call for the show, I guess you could speculate but I don't think we get that answer or that it matters much at this point. Mormont had multiple good reasons to do what he did and so did Benjen. Jon is just a kid when he arrives at the Wall and Benjen leaves early on and tells Jon you have to earn it here. Jon has zero experience at the Wall, the Watch and with ranging. As first Ranger Benjen had just lost a young noble Ranger in Royce the opening scene of the books and show.

Same for Mormont who basically had his arm twisted into letting Royce have an adventure as a ranger and that did not work out well for him. With Jon you have a young promising recruit and he wants to keep it that way. He can read and write, he is trained in arms, and he is young and green. Mormont gave him a great Job. Jon hated it but most were probably envious of the position. Sam is right Mormont wants to groom him for command.

Ned was not big on letting his secret out of the bag even with Cat after over a decade, so Benjen may have suspected something and probably did, and Mormont was probably clueless and I doubt Benjen would let any suspicions he had slip out. Martin has plenty of ways to relay information on Jon to the reader still in the books, it's not like he would really need Mormont or even Benjen to know for something he clearly sees as end game. He has Bran, Bloodraven, Howland, Wylla, perhaps even Ashra, and can always add some random character. He also has just dropped a ton of clues over the years and there are literally hundreds of thousands of pages out their discussing it.

Speculation is always fun but at this point Jon is basically the only one on the planet who does not know and the show has given you a device in Bran to relay information. Though I do think there could be a strange possibility something goes wrong. Think about this Jon seems to set to have some sort of conflict with Sansa being built up over his Kingship. Now Bran just by his presence can do one of two things. He can settle the problem just by being alive. High, I am actually the rightful heir so you two make nice. Or Jon sees it as Bran lying to take away his crown. Jon and Bran were suppose to have a conflict in the treatment, it could still manifest in the story. Jon could also go into denial. Bit of a shock after all. It's not as easy a sell for Bran as some think, high I am a magical tree wizard I saw your real parents in a vision, I can't show you this, but take my word for it. His whole life Jon has wanted to be a real Stark now Bran comes along and says nope. Lot of directions the show could take this, books as well. Bran is so close too right by the entrance to the Castle Black gate. From there it's an easy cart ride to Winterfell. And the Wall knows about his crippled little Brother and Bran knows everything about Jon so it's an easy sell. Like that part is really close, however if they play to slow reunion I am going to be so pissed. Varys and Littlefinger are teleporting all over the place. No way it should be hard for Bran and Jon to reunite. Unless Littlefinger does something, which he will. Maybe Jon gets a letter from Bran.

What can I say, I'm just that good.

I kind of felt the symbolism going on in their scenes this episode was about being given a 'gift' that they don't really understand the magnitude of yet. In both cases they are coming close to their future leadership roles but not in the way they expect. Jon is put out and sulky to be assigned a steward without realizing the leadership potential of being LC Mormont's direct assistant. Daenerys on the other hand is given the gift of what she wants most from Drogo, but only in word. She expects it to happen and has no idea it will in fact be herself that follows through with Drogo's promise much later.

I still have to watch, which one is Jon again?

Oh yeah he's about 6'2 Blonde, goes by Kingslayer. He does have great hair, looks just like a Disney Prince.

What? It's a parallel, oh sure it's not an in world parallel but it's still a parallel. Or is it the same person? The world may never know.