House of the Dragon season 2 included a tease of the Prince That Was Promised, and in doing so made the cancelation of Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow spinoff seem better. House of the Dragon season 2’s ending had its biggest connection yet to Game of Thrones, with the appearance of Daenerys Targaryen, a White Walker, and the Three-Eyed Raven as part of a weirwood tree-influenced sequence.
Daemon Targaryen’s vision of Daenerys et al was important for the prequel’s own story, but also for the wider franchise. With her appearance in the sequence preceded by a red comet, as well as being linked to the battle against the White Walkers, then it suggested Daenerys was the Prince That Was Promised all along in Game of Thrones (if not the A Song of Ice and Fire books, which is TBC). Of course, Thrones itself didn’t do a huge amount with that in the end, but it does at least make me happier that the Jon Snow sequel won’t happen.
Jon Snow Seemingly Not Being The Prince That Was Promised Is Better After His Sequel Cancelation
I’m Glad His Story Won’t Continue After Game Of Thrones’ Ending
Initially, I’d thought House of the Dragon had been set to add more to Jon Snow’s story and the idea he was the Prince That Was Promised. Certainly, the reveal of Aegon the Conqueror’s song of ice and fire dream, which itself was connected to the Prince That Was Promised, could have been taken as being about Jon, since he was the one to unite the realm against the White Walkers.
That, in turn, would have made Jon’s Targaryen parentage more important, since Game of Thrones season 8 didn’t dive too deeply into what it really meant for him (and was more about what it meant to Daenerys). Reckoning with all of this in some way – Jon dealing more with actually being half-Targaryen, and more openly talking about how he feels regarding it – could have been one of the bigger advantages of Jon Snow’s spinoff.
However, by suggesting that Jon isn’t the Prince That Was Promised, House of the Dragon doubles-down on the idea that him being a Targaryen ultimately didn’t matter.
However, by suggesting that Jon isn’t the Prince That Was Promised, House of the Dragon doubles-down on the idea that him being a Targaryen ultimately didn’t matter. And if that’s not something that’s going to be on the table for his spinoff show, or at least an idea that we’re being told isn’t as important elsewhere in canon – then I’m happier it won’t happen, given the lack of obvious story options for the show after Game of Thrones’ ending.
Jon not being the Prince That Was Promised also makes his Game of Thrones fate better. I think there’s something a little more powerful in him not being the prophesied savior but just a decent person who always tried to do the right thing, and an added tragedy in him having to kill Daenerys if she truly was said hero.
I wish the show had done a lot more with the prophecy, but I like the idea of the bittersweetness in the prophecy and how chasing destiny led to Dany’s downfall. With House of the Dragon adding to that, then I prefer Jon’s ending left as-is, not meddled with in a spinoff.
It’s For The Best Game Of Thrones’ Jon Snow Spinoff Isn’t Happening
Harington Himself Revealed They Couldn’t Find The Right Story
Ever since it was first announced, I’d been caught in two minds about Jon Snow’s spinoff. On the one hand, the idea of continuing Game of Thrones so directly, with Kit Harington returning, is a tantalizing prospect, bringing back something millions of people had loved and obsessed over (myself very much included). And in terms of character, there could be some potential in exploring his trauma and the weight of having to kill Daenerys.
On the flip side, I think Jon Snow’s Game of Thrones ending was close to perfect, bringing his story full circle and further adding to the bittersweet feeling, giving him a relatively happy and peaceful ending that he deserved, but colored by tragedy. Since Jon’s Game of Thrones spinoff isn’t happening because Harington and the writers couldn’t find a story worth telling, then I think it’s for the best things aren’t going ahead, and House of the Dragon season 2 just adds to that belief.