Why did Jon Snow come back to life?
Yes, Jon Snow is alive. But why? The real answer may surprise you.
The TV series is over, but HBO failed to answer the seminal question of the Game of Thrones series, "how is Jon Snow still alive?"
Before the Red Woman attempted to bring Jon Snow back to life, she admitted that she had never brought anybody back to life before, and that she could not do it. Nonetheless, she attempted to bring Jon Snow back to life. After what seemed like a failed attempt, Jon Snow came back to life, leading many to believe the Red Woman had succeeded.
This would not be a bad guess as to why he came back to life, because it is not unprecedented in the Game of Thrones world. The Brotherhood Without Banners has done this with Beric Dondarrion multiple times. They also pray to the lord of light, the same as the Red Woman.
However, due to the Red Woman's reaction to being asked to do it, as well as her attitude after Jon Snow came back to life, I do not believe she had anything to do with his resurrection, and my theory makes more sense anyways.
One of the main enemies within the story has been White Walkers. They were introduced in the first episode (and then seemingly forgotten for like 3 seasons haha). Anyways, White Walkers have the ability to bring people back to life, and are then under White Walker control. It has not been fully explained how exactly White Walkers work, but it seems to have a central core of "leaders" which can control the reanimated bodies.
The central core of "leaders" seems to have a "king" who is in charge of all of them. We witnessed Jon Snow killing one of these "leaders" with his sword (given to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch). This means the sword is probably imbued with either a magical spell or dragon glass (I believe it is obsidian?), since normal weapons would just shatter if used against White Walkers.
The point is that White Walkers seem to be more or less similar to zombies. If killed, a human can come back to "life" as a White Walker, but is under the king and/or leader's control, and are no longer the person that they used to be.
My theory as to why Jon Snow came back to life is that he is actually a resurrected White Walker, but is immune to being controlled by the White Walker King. Let me give you some reasoning for my prediction.
Early in the series, we were introduced to Jon Snow's uncle, Benjen Stark. He was a member of the Night's Watch. I believe he was sent out on a mission beyond the well, and never returned, presumed dead. This was back in season 1 (I think), and he really wasn't talked about or mentioned before coming back later in the series. Benjen was also a pure-blooded Stark, and brother to Eddard.
Benjen, thought to be dead, ends up coming back much later in the series to help Bran, and lead them to the place they are trying to get to. He looks different, but does not really reveal anything about where he has been or what he is doing there. Benjen takes them as far as he is able to, and then says some cryptic things like, "I still fight for the living", and "this is as far as I can take you. The way forward is only for the living." I admit that I don't know the exact lines, so I am paraphrasing. This leads you to believe that Benjen is somehow no longer living, yet also not dead.
His appearance is cold and lifeless, but his actions are those of his former self. While it is not explained, I believe he was revived by the White Walkers, but could not be controlled by them. This is why he has the same limitations as the White Walkers. The Raven had some sort of magical barrier that prevented the White Walkers from entering (until Bran ruined everything). The place where Benjen left Bran and the girl must have had some sort of similar magic barrier, keeping him from advancing with them.
Also, his saying, "I still fight for the living" leads one to believe that even tho he is no longer part of the living, he still fights on their behalf and wants them to win. This adds to the theory that he was revived as a White Walker, but not being able to be controlled by them, has gone on to do things to help the living instead of helping the White Walkers. Why he never returned to Winterfell or the Night's Watch is a mystery still. It may have something to do with restrictions of being a White Walker. Maybe White Walkers can only travel so far from their King or other leaders before they cannot "live" anymore. Maybe there is some type of magical barrier keeping him from coming back. Maybe he could accidentally "infect" others. It is not explained, but that could be the reasoning.
If this is true, it would make sense that Jon Snow could also have this ability. The White Walker King took note of Jon Snow, and definitely knows who he is. It has also not really been explained how exactly people are turned to White Walkers. Do they need direct contact (like with the babies)? Do they just need to see you? Do you have to be within a certain distance? Can they "claim" you even before you are dead so that as soon as you die you can come back as a White Walker?
Even though White Walkers aren't fully explained, this theory makes the most sense, and has another family member from the same bloodline to further support the claim.
Another thing supporting this claim is that Daenerys has a power that is overwhelmingly stronger than any other superhuman power that has been shown in the series thus far.
There are characters that have strength, but nothing that is so far removed from elite-level human strength that it could be considered a superpower. There are characters that use magic, or something like it, as well (Red Woman, the guy who saved The Mountain from dying, the assassin guy with many faces, etc.). While these different "magic" things exist, all of them are said to get their power from a god or science, and none of them just innately have that power.
Daenerys' power to be seemingly invulnerable to fire and heat looks like it is an innate power that she was born with. Not something that was a magical spell cast upon her, or some scientific tool that allows her to do this. She claims it is the power of her family's blood, and that would make sense, since her family was the one that was able to tame and use dragons.
No other character in the series has an innate "power." But, because Daenerys has this power, it is not inconceivable that other characters might have powers on the same scale as hers. Since families and bloodlines play a very important role in this series, it also would make sense that there might be some abilities being passed down through the bloodlines as well, which is what it was always so important for them to keep their families and bloodlines intact.
It would also make sense that the Starks might have some ability to withstand White Walkers, since they were the Wardens of the North, and possibly tasked with keeping the White Walkers at bay. The Starks are the first line of defense for the Seven Kingdoms if the White Walkers ever breached the Wall, which was specifically built to keep them out. In the same way that the Targaryan power of being immune to fire had been more or less forgotten, or lowered to the status of legend and myth since it had been so long since anyone had seen such a power, so too may the power of the Starks to resist the White Walkers been forgotten.
The power to be able to resist White Walker control, to me, is a power on the same scale as being able to resist any physical damage from fire/heat. It would not be a "broken" power, and would make sense both in terms of why the ability exists historically within that bloodline, as well as why two different members of the Stark household have seemingly come back from the dead.
Obviously, the writers can do whatever they want, but this theory would make the most sense in this world, while also providing a balance to the Targaryan fire immunity. Heck, the entire book series is called "A Song of Ice and Fire." While that could very well be talking about White Walkers vs...Targaryan? The rest of the world? Well, whatever "fire" should represent. Jon Snow could be a microcosm of Ice and Fire.
If Jon Snow represents both Ice and Fire, then this entire series could be something like "The Odyssey," where Jon Snow is Odysseus. The entire story could just be someone writing the epic of the legendary Jon Snow.
There have been many theories as to why Jon Snow came back to life, but I believe my theory has the most likelihood of fitting within the Game of Thrones world.
These theories only pertain to the TV show, not the books. I am also not concerned with making sure everyone's name is exactly correct, or direct quotes from the show. I am only concerned with getting my point across, so try not to get distracted in the weeds if I make a mistake or two.
*SPOILER ALERT: do not read unless you have finished watching Season 6 of the Game of Thrones HBO series, or do not care about spoilers.*
*SPOILER ALERT: do not read unless you have finished watching Season 6 of the Game of Thrones HBO series, or do not care about spoilers.*
It has nothing to do with the Red Woman
This would not be a bad guess as to why he came back to life, because it is not unprecedented in the Game of Thrones world. The Brotherhood Without Banners has done this with Beric Dondarrion multiple times. They also pray to the lord of light, the same as the Red Woman.
However, due to the Red Woman's reaction to being asked to do it, as well as her attitude after Jon Snow came back to life, I do not believe she had anything to do with his resurrection, and my theory makes more sense anyways.
Jon Snow is a Stark
It was believed that Jon Snow was Eddard Stark's bastard son. However, it was revealed that Jon Snow was actually Eddard's sister's son, and the father was Rhaegar Targaryen. This means Jon Snow is a mix of pure Stark blood and pure Targaryen blood. For now, let's forget the Targaryen blood and focus on the Stark blood.One of the main enemies within the story has been White Walkers. They were introduced in the first episode (and then seemingly forgotten for like 3 seasons haha). Anyways, White Walkers have the ability to bring people back to life, and are then under White Walker control. It has not been fully explained how exactly White Walkers work, but it seems to have a central core of "leaders" which can control the reanimated bodies.
The central core of "leaders" seems to have a "king" who is in charge of all of them. We witnessed Jon Snow killing one of these "leaders" with his sword (given to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch). This means the sword is probably imbued with either a magical spell or dragon glass (I believe it is obsidian?), since normal weapons would just shatter if used against White Walkers. The point is that White Walkers seem to be more or less similar to zombies. If killed, a human can come back to "life" as a White Walker, but is under the king and/or leader's control, and are no longer the person that they used to be.
My theory as to why Jon Snow came back to life is that he is actually a resurrected White Walker, but is immune to being controlled by the White Walker King. Let me give you some reasoning for my prediction.
Jon Snow's Uncle
His appearance is cold and lifeless, but his actions are those of his former self. While it is not explained, I believe he was revived by the White Walkers, but could not be controlled by them. This is why he has the same limitations as the White Walkers. The Raven had some sort of magical barrier that prevented the White Walkers from entering (until Bran ruined everything). The place where Benjen left Bran and the girl must have had some sort of similar magic barrier, keeping him from advancing with them. Also, his saying, "I still fight for the living" leads one to believe that even tho he is no longer part of the living, he still fights on their behalf and wants them to win. This adds to the theory that he was revived as a White Walker, but not being able to be controlled by them, has gone on to do things to help the living instead of helping the White Walkers. Why he never returned to Winterfell or the Night's Watch is a mystery still. It may have something to do with restrictions of being a White Walker. Maybe White Walkers can only travel so far from their King or other leaders before they cannot "live" anymore. Maybe there is some type of magical barrier keeping him from coming back. Maybe he could accidentally "infect" others. It is not explained, but that could be the reasoning.
If this is true, it would make sense that Jon Snow could also have this ability. The White Walker King took note of Jon Snow, and definitely knows who he is. It has also not really been explained how exactly people are turned to White Walkers. Do they need direct contact (like with the babies)? Do they just need to see you? Do you have to be within a certain distance? Can they "claim" you even before you are dead so that as soon as you die you can come back as a White Walker?
Even though White Walkers aren't fully explained, this theory makes the most sense, and has another family member from the same bloodline to further support the claim.
Daenerys' powers
Another thing supporting this claim is that Daenerys has a power that is overwhelmingly stronger than any other superhuman power that has been shown in the series thus far. There are characters that have strength, but nothing that is so far removed from elite-level human strength that it could be considered a superpower. There are characters that use magic, or something like it, as well (Red Woman, the guy who saved The Mountain from dying, the assassin guy with many faces, etc.). While these different "magic" things exist, all of them are said to get their power from a god or science, and none of them just innately have that power.
Daenerys' power to be seemingly invulnerable to fire and heat looks like it is an innate power that she was born with. Not something that was a magical spell cast upon her, or some scientific tool that allows her to do this. She claims it is the power of her family's blood, and that would make sense, since her family was the one that was able to tame and use dragons.
No other character in the series has an innate "power." But, because Daenerys has this power, it is not inconceivable that other characters might have powers on the same scale as hers. Since families and bloodlines play a very important role in this series, it also would make sense that there might be some abilities being passed down through the bloodlines as well, which is what it was always so important for them to keep their families and bloodlines intact.
It would also make sense that the Starks might have some ability to withstand White Walkers, since they were the Wardens of the North, and possibly tasked with keeping the White Walkers at bay. The Starks are the first line of defense for the Seven Kingdoms if the White Walkers ever breached the Wall, which was specifically built to keep them out. In the same way that the Targaryan power of being immune to fire had been more or less forgotten, or lowered to the status of legend and myth since it had been so long since anyone had seen such a power, so too may the power of the Starks to resist the White Walkers been forgotten.
The power to be able to resist White Walker control, to me, is a power on the same scale as being able to resist any physical damage from fire/heat. It would not be a "broken" power, and would make sense both in terms of why the ability exists historically within that bloodline, as well as why two different members of the Stark household have seemingly come back from the dead.
Stark blood + Targaryan blood
Something that makes Jon Snow even more interesting though, is that he is equal parts Stark and Targaryan. If the theory of Starks being immune to White Walker control holds true, that means even as a half-blood, he still has full Stark "immunity," because he came from a pure bloodline. If that is the case, then it would also make sense that Jon Snow can be immune to fire, since he is also equal parts Targaryan from a pure bloodline. Now, just being from a certain bloodline doesn't mean that you get the bloodline power, just look at Daenarys' brother. But it would be a promising sign that Jon's fire immunity would work if his White Walker immunity already does.
Obviously, the writers can do whatever they want, but this theory would make the most sense in this world, while also providing a balance to the Targaryan fire immunity. Heck, the entire book series is called "A Song of Ice and Fire." While that could very well be talking about White Walkers vs...Targaryan? The rest of the world? Well, whatever "fire" should represent. Jon Snow could be a microcosm of Ice and Fire.If Jon Snow represents both Ice and Fire, then this entire series could be something like "The Odyssey," where Jon Snow is Odysseus. The entire story could just be someone writing the epic of the legendary Jon Snow.
Then again, these are merely theories.
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