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Eddard Stark coming back to Game of Thrones but not Sean Bean? What will this mean for the show?

August 11th, 2015 by Irwin Fletcher Comments

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We all remember that horrific scene at the end of season one episode nine of Game Of Thrones where Ned became dead. It’s the one death that causes all the mess everyone is in. If he hadn’t of died the Starks would still live, probably, and it would be a very different story with Jon and Ned battling the white walkers.

Fortunately, Ned’s time on Game of Thrones isn’t over; Sean Bean’s time is though. It seems that the honourable Ned Stark is returning to Game of Thrones, and being recast for some flashback scenes. This is not the first time the show used flashbacks as there was a scene at the start of Season five where Cersei heard her prophecy from Maggy the Frog: “Queen you shall be… until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear.” Something tells me that’s not meaning Margery Tyrell but a certain white haired girl with three dragons.

Naturally, these flashbacks are used to give little clues as to what may happen and what fan theories are likely to be true or false. Of all the theories of Game of Thrones there is one that has now become the most likely to be true. With the recast of Ned Stark there are only certain scenes that we could see with him.

According to Watchers on the Wall, “13-year-old Sebastian Croft (bottom of the page) has been cast as a possible younger Ned… the flashback could be to the Stark’s friendship with Robert Baratheon as a young man, and so too Robert’s relationship with Ned’s sister, Lyanna.”

The theory, which some have called R+L=J, is that Lyanna Stark is Jon Snow’s mother and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, not Ned, is his father. This means that Jon Snow “as one of the last Targaryens, is central to the Song of Ice and Fire”. Stark = Ice and Targaryen = Fire so if the theory is true Jon Snow is The Song of Ice and Fire. Not looking so dead now is he?

The article also explains that the show is casting a young Jamie Lannister, with actors in their mid twenties apparently being asked to read out a battle scene. This could be the Battle for The Trident where Robert Baratheon killed Rhaegar, a battle which Jamie wasn’t in: “While in the books, Jaime wouldn’t have been at the Battle … it wouldn’t be the first time the show has played around with details from Martin’s novels.” For example Since when did Jamie ever go to Dorne in the books?

However, we already know from season one and season three that Jamie was with King Aerys, he said it himself when talking to Brienne of Tarth: “Tell me, if your precious Renly commanded you to kill your own father and stand by while thousands of men, women and children burned alive would you have done it? Would you have kept your oath then? First I killed the Pyromancer and then when the king turned to flee I drove my sword into his back.”

You can see the whole speech here.

I know some have a hatred of Jamie, but this is one of my favourite scenes with him. This is one of the first times we see him as human and his character changes completely after this scene.

I believe this could be is the casting or Prince Rheagar. At the time of his death, Prince Rheagar was 24, blond haired, an incredible fighter, and was obviously in the battle. A familiar description to Jamie, yes, but it holds true to the theory, the show and to the past.

What is also true is that if this battle exists so too must another important scene known as The Great Harrenhal Tournament when “Prince Rhaegar who, despite being married to Elia Martell, crowned Lyanna Stark [betrothed to Robert Baratheon at the time] as the queen of love and beauty.”

Furthermore, it was this that started the series of events, which caused Robert’s Rebellion. The most notable of which was the kidnap of Lyanna by Rheagar, which is also the most important aspect for the L + R = J theory, where it was during the kidnap that people believe she and Rheagar had a child. It is likely no coincidence that her last words were “Promise me, Ned”. Promise what? To take care of his nephew Jon, perhaps?

The Game of Thrones storyline exists because of the events that led up to it. If these events are as significant as most people think, then it will be a very good season for the many fans that are now unable to brag that they know what really happens.

I for one can’t wait to see if this is the case and if so, then we all know Jon Snow isn’t dead and someone is bound to bring him back to life. Who though is another theory in itself.

Source: Beamly

Sebastian Croft

 

I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.