Game of Thrones Star, EP Talk Tragic Finale Twist: Is [Spoiler] Really Dead? 

fans must accept: “Winter is coming,” “The night is dark and full of terrors” and, as bluntly delivered by showrunner Dan Weiss, “Dead is dead.”

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, Weiss confirms that Jon Snow did, in fact, meet his demise in the final scene of Sunday’s season finale, as unfathomable as that might be to the audience.

“We would hope that after seeing the scene and the way it’s shot that the answer to that will be unambiguous in the minds of the people watching it,” Weiss says of Jon’s brutal death. “It’s not an, ‘Oh what just happened?’ scene.”

Even star Kit Harington is going on record about the tragic twist: “I’ve been told I’m dead,” he tells the mag. I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season.” He even says that “it felt like the right way for it to happen,” referring to Olly, Jon’s young steward, delivering the final blow.

So there you have it; as far as the HBO series is concerned, Jon Snow is dead. But what of his fate in George R.R. Martin‘s book series, upon which the show is based? Jon 

, but the author won’t confirm his future beyond that.

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million-dollar question: Even if Jon is dead, either in the show or the books or both, does that really mean we’ve seen the last of him? The mag notes that two fan theories currently reign supreme: Either Jon could be revived by Melisandre, who conveniently arrived at the Wall towards the end of the season finale, or he could have warged into his Direwolf — an ability previously displayed by Season 5 absentee Bran — in order to preserve his spirit.

We won’t know what the future holds (or doesn’t) for Jon until the show returns for Season 6, or until Martin releases his sixth book, though it’s anyone guess which will come first. In the meantime, what do 

choose to believe? Cast your vote below, then drop a comment with your best theories.

I believe that Melisandre is going to resurrect Jon Snow and that she’ll pledge her loyalty to him. But, it might not be in the same body because Kit Harington is leaving the show.

That may be too obvious, it might be his brother Bran with the aid from the children of the Forrest, or night king, who may declare Jon his heir (LOL), since they are both Starks.

I agree. It seemed too convenient that she showed up there and they made a point of showing her. If she does being him back I sure as hell hope hey don’t become an item because I am not over what she did to Shireen. That evil B

Are people really going to take to Jon being played by a new actor though? It’s too late in the game for them to just expect a fanbase to accept something like that. I think they’ve gotten a bit tyrannical with pushing the envelope now.

No, I either think Kit Harington is still on the show and he and the producers are lying about his demise OR Jon Snow is really dead and they’re telling the truth. I sadly am leaning towards the latter.

What about the guy (I can’t remember his name it’s been so long) that could resurrect himself and others? Why would they show him a couple of seasons ago if they were never going to use him?

In the books, the man found Caitlyn Stark’s body on the bank of a river (she’d been thrown there after she died at the wedding) and he resurrected her. Now I believe she was somewhat zombie-like and either led or joined with the white walker leader to get revenge. I’m not saying Jon would become a walker – they could change that outcome

Of course Kit and the creator are saying he isnt coming back. What are they gonna sit there and say Dont worry guys we are spoiling our huge cliffhanger 6 months before the premiere!

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time producers have lied about something like this

If you want to say he’s dead, don’t show a method of resurrection walk in the gate 30 seconds before you kill one of the characters that has been implied as the “Ice” portion of “A Song of Ice and Fire”.

He’ll either be immediately resurrected and they are all flat out lying which makes them huge dicks for at least not just being coy about it, or he’s actually dead and I’m done watching the show because there is no one left that I care enough about to suffer through the rest of the show.

A better cliffhanger wouldve been Melisandre leaning over Jon’s dead body and starting to do her magic…that wouldve been just as exciting. But this was just depressing and confusing. GRRM famously retorted “oh you think Jon is dead”? after his 5th book. There is a reason why fans are optimistic about his return and its not just wishful thinking. But HBO clearly wants to create depressed patients. Maybe they are working with the big pharma companies ;)

Better? I don’t know. The way it was done is fairly spot on (aside from which Night’s Watch men did the stabbing) with the books. Jon’s last page in DwD is the mutiny and him blacking out as he calls for Ghost.

Exactly. Jon Snow is too central a point of view for him to be dead. Yes, I do believe he is dead, but not staying that way. Too much time and focus has been on establishing that Rheagar was a really nice guy, that Jon’s parentage is somewhat suspicious, the whole Littlefinger alluding to another scenario to Sansa….Melisandre’s visions ….all to end Jon’s storyline? I highly doubt it. without Jon there is no “Ice” in “Ice and Fire”. There isn’t anyone left in the north unless you believe that Sansa is going to the wall to fight. It’s not going to be Bran either. And no one is going to accept anyone but Kit Harrington as Jon. All these pre-show interviews are just smoke and mirrors. Does anyone really believe that HBO is going to tip their hand on the most successful show in their history?

This is what I am trying to say. The number of stories his death either leaves hanging or leaves with an unsatisfactory conclusion far outweigh the number interesting storylines his death opens up. Unless I am seriously missing something, Jon staying dead just doesn’t make sense!

I was very upset to see Jon Snow get stabbed to death and the men who told him FOR THE WATCH and I think people were upset about that too. I’m not quitting the show to see how the rest of the characters are going to move forward and where does Season 6 go from here.

I feel like Dan and Kit just need to go door to door and bludgeon every fan over the head with the truth at this point. He died. Jon Snow is gone. Is that really so hard to believe in a show that takes such pleasure killing Starks? I don’t honestly understand what’s with all the hero worship. He was fine but he was a pretty bland character who’s only real contribution to the series was his pretty face. He’s been considerably marginalized for the past two seasons and the writers don’t seem to know what to do with him so why is this so shocking?

clearly we are watching different shows. also, you don’t read the books. Even without reading the books I don’t understand why you don’t know that Jon is central to this story…you have to look at the show as a whole, what everyone is saying and who they are saying it about. No Jon, no story,.

Jon has a HUGE secret clinging to him regarding his parents. And his pretty face is the doorway to all his birth secrets. He has now unrevealed the fact that dragon made things are the way out of whitewalkers. He’s the most imp character on the show. He knows nothing. But he won’t juat die knowing nothing. BTW, we are talking about Game Of Thrones from HBO…

Well, probably because GRRM has repeatedly said Jon along with Dany and Tyrion are his central three characters. And he alluded that Jon isnt dead in post season 5 interviews. Not to mention the obvious clues in that book that hint at his resurrection. Its not wishful thinking. Its just common sense. Not sure how you can say he has been marginalized…if anything, he’s been given so much focus that many have complained itts too much.

What’s so hard to believe? Because it’s not about the show. The show and the books are ultimately going to end up in the same place — which is exactly where ever GRRM has designed the story to go. Martin (who I take as a more solid authority on matters about who lives and dies) has been quoted as saying things like “Oh, so you think Jon is dead?” followed by the statement “My readers should know better than to take anything as gospel.” More recently he said “If there’s one thing we know in A Song of Ice and Fire is that death is not necessarily permanent.” So, to answer your question — Kit and Weiss can say whatever they want as many times as they want. Until GRRM settles the question in Book 6, I am not going to assume a resurrected Jon is off the table.

Death in the GoT world does not mean the end in either the books or the show. There is ample reason to suspect that Jon Snow is not gone, even if he’s dead. If you can’t comprehend such a thing, you either haven’t been paying attention to the show or you don’t understand the show.

The thing about Jon’s death is that it serves no purpose, as far as I can see. It affects no other major character and progresses no other storyline. So why would they kill him permanently when him alive provides much more compelling stories that him dead. Killing him just to once again prove that no one is safe and provide a shocking end of season moment is a poor plotting choice. I would be very disappointed in all the writers if that were the case.

So, Jon’s death will not affect the story of the White Walkers? The two major characters (Stannis and Jon) who were leading the defence and understood that all humans needed to band together are dead. The Wildlings and Nights Watch are going to fall to infighting and be even less effective than they already would have been. But you’re right, Jon Snow’s death does no affect anything else in the show.

I don’t really see Jon’s death as necessary in the points you outlined. The white walkers already seem like an unstoppable threat. The wildlings and the night’s walk are already in conflict. Jon would be a much more interesting part of the white walker story alive and I don’t see how his death makes that story more compelling. To kill a character with so much story potential and significance to make already established problems and dynamics even more that way is not a good trade off. I respect your opinion but definitely stand behind what I said.

Agree. how will the wildlings react to to Jon’s death

Then what you are saying is…everyone dies now. Because without Jon, no one is going to live. Who else can lead? Sam? lol….Jon dying just puts everything into chaos with no way to gel it together. It makes no sense to the storyline.

The default leader of the Wildlings, whatever big red’s name is, understands firsthand the threat that the white walkers pose as do the night’s watchmen who survived the whitewalker attack on the wildlings. He and Stannis were not the only remaining men who understand the impending slaughter they may face. His death might have served more of a purpose than Murley acknowledged but all of the clues we’ve been given thus far about his parentage, his potential resurrection, and his potential king’s blood all point to the fact that a living JS serves a much greater purpose to the plot and resolution than a dead JS would serve to the purpose you sited.

Like they would have Melisandre walk in right before his death for no reason. See you next season Jon…

IF this is the end of Jon Snow… This was hands down the worst death in the series. And I don’t mean the most shocking, I mean worst – after surviving wildlings and wights and white walkers, he was stabbed to death by a ten-year-old. What a way to go…

Kit Harrington has stated “as far as i know im dead” and that he “wont be returning NEXT season” perhaps… this is because his direwold is going to be taking his place? So the actor himself wont be needed? I guess the qjestion to ask is, is Jon Snow returning next season. Not kit harrington.

If his run on the show had truly ended, would he have to preface the statement with “As far as I know”? When actors are killed off of TV shows, they know that they will not be back, unless they are on Days of Our Lives.

well you survive a battle with the white walkers , you survive battles and how you die ? killed by your own men , not a good way to finish this season , if the season 6 will continue like 5 , for me will be the last season, because 8 of 10 episodes o i was bored to death and now one of the best characters dies :(

I am 53 years old. Male and never cried over a tv show or movie in my life but I shed tears when they stabbed Jon Snow. I really was emotionally compromised. (lol) ..

How can you say dead is dead when 2 seconds before the Jon snow scene we just saw the zombie mountain?furthermore Kit Harington would have to lie to the press because if he was like yep I’ll be there next season it would be a spoiler

The Mountain didnt die though he was poisoned and taken away for treatment ;)

Well the viewing figures for next season will dramatically drop…some girls only watched it because of Jon Snow lol

Has anyone observed how everyone is conventionally saying he’s dead, even Kit himself, and how the wicked brain behind it said death is not permanent? Has anyone observed how those ice eyes cut through Jon Snow at Hardhome? Jon Snow has a lot to achieve. And RR cannot just end the story without letting us know who’s Jon’s mother.

“Dead is dead” doesn’t really fly when it’s literally not true and dead people have been resurrected by magic on your show in previous seasons. I’ll believe Jon Snow is dead for good if the show ends without his resurrection. Until then, Kit and the showrunners can say he’s really dead and staying that way until the cows come home and I won’t believe it, even if he doesn’t show up until the very end. From a narrative standpoint there are far more interesting storylines opened up by him being resurrected and no longer being bound by his NW vows, and it’s not the first time cast and crew have lied about death to preserve a twist (Orphan Black comes to mind).

Right – to quote GRRM himself “If there’s one thing we know in A Song of Ice and Fire is that death is not necessarily permanent.”

Wasn’t it reported that Kit Harington had inked a contract deal for seasons 6 & 7. Sure, this can change and all, but considering how far ahead into the story D&D appear to be, I wouldn’t think they’d secure the actors if they were hesitant about their necessity.

Didn’t get a chance to see the finale but i’m not/kind of surprised that Jon Snow died. I already knew from the book, but I thought MAYBE he’ll be alive and make it to season 6. But I REALLY DO hope he will be resurrected by the Red Woman (Melisandre) OR have his spirit transfer into Ghost.

Remember the last words maester Aemon said to Jon: “Kill the boy, Jon Snow, and let the man be born”. They are essential to Jon’s current situation which is a rite of passage of sorts. We witnessed the death of the boy, and now we have to wait for his rebirth (probably not as Snow).

WELL THE CABLE SHOW HAS GONE (SOUTH) FROM THE BOOKS SO WHO KNOWS.. REALLY RIGHT?…

As a book reader, I was curious to see how they were going to handle this. I’m surprised they are so adamant in saying that he is not coming back, as I think the way that passage is phrased in the book guarantees that SOMETHING would eventually happen. Yet I’d prefer to believe that GOT writers do not engage in the same misdirection as the people over at Revenge

The set-up WAAAAAY too much with his character to kill him. I mean whats the point of all the Melisandre & John scenes where she asks him if hes a virgin and talks about royal blood and the implication of who Jon Snow’s parents are? Obviously Jon Snow is extremely important given the fact GRRM asked D&D one question to know if they know GOT really well or not and that was; “Who is Jon Snow’s mother?”.

The timing of Melisandre showing up is suspect, the lack of us seeing him die is suspect (all we saw was him alive and bleeding out). And most of all like i said….his story and POV and importance (R+L=J) is way too huge to just end like that. Daenerys is also in that boat IMO that their stories are too important to end this soon. To me the Song of Ice and Fire is Jon Snow & Daenerys (shes fire, hes ice, they take down the White Walkers together).

Well, I for one know that if there’s no Jon Snow then I’m done with the Show! Jon Snow was the only Character that was worth watching in this series anyway! His unflinching loyalty was one to aspire to (that alone with the 8ft women Brienne of Tarth…lol). But in all seriousness… I’m done with this show if Jon Snow is killed off!!!

jon could become a white walker, if they do not burn his body quickly he will turn! he could even retain some of his personality and infiltrate the army of the dead and help destroy it.

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