MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Game of Thrones' season 8 episode 1 proves Jon Snow is not fit to sit on the Iron Throne

Jon Snow finally learned that he was never a bastard, and may be the rightful heir to the throne, but he definitely isn't cut out for the job.

So, you finished watching the first episode of the hugely anticipated season 8 of HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ and finally we watched Jon Snow (Kit Harington) learn his true parentage. The man who he always thought was his father was his uncle, and the woman he is in love with is his aunt. However, the most shocking revelation of it all for him was probably the fact that he is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

Born Aegon Targaryen, Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark and was never the bastard of Ned Stark (Sean Bean) to begin with. As shocking as it was for Jon to learn of his true heritage, more than anything else he seemed fearful of opposing his lover/aunt’s claim to the throne. As much we love him and his leadership qualities, the moments that followed Samwell Tarly’s (John Bradley) revelations proved once and for all that Jon does not have what it takes to rule the seven kingdoms.

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is willing to lie, cheat and kill to keep herself rooted on the Iron Throne, while Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), who rose to power within the show as the utter opposite of her, has also been proving that she is perfectly capable of murder to ensure her spot as the ruler of the seven kingdoms. Jon, meanwhile, is the man who renounced his title - bestowed upon him by the people - as King in the North, to ensure that his people are safe. 

There is no debating the fact that Jon is a fantastic leader, but there is no space for emotions and leniency in Westeros and King's Landing will chew him up and spit him out within the first year as a ruler. But importantly, Jon does not even have what it takes to win against Cersei. She is not one that plays by the books - I mean, she literally orchestrated a genocide - and if Jon were to oppose her with his morals and ethics intact there would be no preventing his downfall. 

Sure, there will be many to support his claim to the throne, especially now that his legitimacy is proven, but him fighting Daenerys for her ambitious dream is highly unlikely. Sam made an important point by posing this question to Jon “You gave up your crown to save your people. Would she do the same?” The answer is probably no because from being underestimated all her life, to being raped, to being disrespected, to being tricked, to losing her husband and her baby, Daenerys has been through a lot. The one thing that drove her spirit all that while is her desire to seat herself on the Iron Throne. She is not going to give that up for anyone or anything. 

The fight for the Iron Throne will always be between the two women - Cersei and Daenerys. They are the only two people who have what it takes to survive atop the Iron Throne and as legitimate as Jon's claim is, he is not going to be a ruthless enough competitor to either of the women.