There are many great characters on Game of Thrones, but the true hero of the story is clear. Jon Snow has had a tough road to becoming King in the North, but he’s earned it every step of the way. Let’s take a closer look at just what makes Jon GoT’s best character.
1) He’s not afraid to make the tough call
Game of Thrones is a show about power, how people get it and how they use it when they do. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Most rulers on this show are awful and abuse their power whenever they can. Jon Snow is one of the few exceptions. Jon is reluctant to take power at all, only doing so after his Night’s Watch brothers leave him no choice. But when he gets it, he doesn’t go crazy. Instead, he tries his best to do what he thinks is right, no matter how unpopular the choice is. Sure, it may have gotten him killed, but that doesn’t mean it was wrong.
2) He literally gave his life for the cause
See above. When Jon was faced with the choice of letting the Wildlings through the wall, he knew it would be unpopular with his brothers. He did it anyway. It was the right call, and yet Ser Alliser Thorne orchestrated a coup to assassinate Jon. It worked. Lucky for us Melisandre was on hand to bring him back to life but when Jon did come back, he kept on fighting. When most of us would have thanked the stars for our second chance and gone off to hide somewhere, Jon pushed forward and ended up taking down Ramsay Bolton to reclaim Winterfell. That’s dedication.
3) He’s honorable
Jon is not stupid and he knows how to make a political choice. At the same time, unlike so many on this show, is not willing to sacrifice his core principles to gain power. He learned from Ned that being a man means being honorable, and that’s how Jon lives. When Stannis offered to name him Stark and make him Warden of the North, Jon turned it down, despite it being all he ever wanted. When Tyrion and Dany wanted him to lie to Cersei, he refused, despite it seeming to be the smart choice. If there’s one thing this show has taught us, it’s that you can always trust a Stark to be honorable.
4) He’s a true Stark
And that’s exactly why he is a true Stark. So much of the show is about the mystery of Jon’s parentage and Jon’s longing to be accepted by the Starks. As of season 7, he is still a Snow in name, but in every other way, he is Ned’s truest son. As mentioned above, he remains honorable and makes the tough call no matter the situation. He is brave and wants to help his fellow men and women to survive. He may not have the name, but he is a Stark in every way that matters.
5) He can fight
Let’s face it, this man is a beast with the sword. Even before his White Walker slaying days Jon arrives at the Night’s Watch and proceeds to destroy the other recruits so badly they basically make him a teacher. He only gets better as the show goes on with major victories over multiple White Walkers, the Magnar of Thenn, and Ramsay Bolton. When it comes to the sweet science of the sword, there are not many who can match the combination of Jon Snow and Longclaw.
6) He’s handsome as hell
I mean just look at him. Objectively you have to admit he looks great. His pretty boy looks may be the go-to joke for people trying to take him down a peg or two, but they’re just jealous. I mean, Ser Alliser has to sit and look at everyone fawn over this younger, better-looking version of himself. No wonder he was always so angry. Also, if you’re still doubting, consider the fact that Jon hooked up with both Ygritte and Dany. I don’t care how good you are at “the lord’s kiss”, you’re not doing that without some serious looks.
7) He is willing to change
One of the hardest things to do as a human is admitting you were wrong and making a change. An unwillingness to change or adapt is the downfall of many would-be leaders on Game of Thrones - looking at you Stannis - but Jon is not one of them. He starts the show as an arrogant, brooding young man. But over the years, he matures into a thoughtful leader and an even better person. It is this willingness to change that will, hopefully, lead him to victory in the ultimate battle of life versus death.
8) He doesn’t burn people alive
The competition for the best hero on Game of Thrones really comes down to two people, Jon and Dany. While Dany is awesome and badass in her own right, she does have one tendency that is a major cause for concern, her love of burning people alive. We all know her father was famous for wanting to, “Burn them all!”, and while Dany claims she is not like her dad, the signs say otherwise. She burned the slave master to free the Unsullied, she burned tons of the masters in Mereen, and she burned Sam Tarly’s dad and brother for reasons that don’t really hold up. So when the choice for best hero comes down to two people, and one of them loves to burn people alive, it’s not really a choice at all.
9) He can ride dragons
Maybe? Hopefully? Hopefully not? With the White Walkers killing one of her dragons, Dany is down to two and she needs a Targaryen to ride the other one. Lucky for us we know of one who just happens to have a special bond with her dragons. That’s right, Jon Snow! Will it happen? We don’t know for sure, but it would be really cool if it did.
10) He is the Song of Ice and Fire
The show may be called Game of Thrones, but the book series is named A Song of Ice and Fire. In other words, it’s all about Jon. Jon’s father was the crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The heir to the ruling family famous for dragons and their fire. His mother was Lyanna Stark, lady of Winterfell. The Starks are known for their motto, Winter is Coming, and what comes with winter? Ice. So with Jon being the result of fire and ice combining, he is the stories true hero and the only one that can save Westeros from the coming White Walker invasion. In other words, Jon Snow is the Song of Ice and Fire.
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