[WARNING, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE]
The identity of Jon Snow's parents have been a mystery since the first season of 'Game of Thrones.' Although he was initially introduced as 'Ned Stark's bastard,' fans of the book and the show alike refuse to believe that Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) would be unfaithful to Lady Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley).
One of the most popular theories is "R+L=J," which suggests that J (Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington) is the result of the union between Rhaegar Targaryen and Ned's sister Lyanna Stark. The theory suggests that Rhaegar, who is Daenerys Targaryen's eldest brother, and Lyanna actually eloped and hid in the Tower of Joy.
By the time Ned finds his sister, Rhaegar has been killed by Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and Lyanna is dying of childbirth. Before she died, she first asked Ned to keep her son's Targaryen heritage a secret.
Although 'A Song of Ice and Fire' author George R.R. Martin has never actually acknowledged the theory, the fifth season of 'Game of Thrones' had several scenes that pointed to "R+L=J."
Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) had a line that suggested that Jon's father wasn't Ned Stark and that his mother was of noble lineage. In one conversation, Selyse Baratheon calls Jon the son of "some tavern slut." Stannis answers, "Perhaps. That wasn't Ned Stark's way."
Lord Snow - I have a gut feeling his half dragon half direwolf. ;) ~ Lynna & Rhaegar's kid. https://t.co/KHiJyaUg #gameofthrones
— Pookipedia (@pookipedia) May 11, 2012
In the episode 'Sons of the Harpy,' Petyr Littlefinger brings Sansa Stark to the Winterfell crypt to speak about her late aunt Lyanna. Littlefinger mentions the tourney of Harrenhal, where Rhaegar had given roses to Lyanna instead of his wife Elia Martell. This was an insult to Robert Baratheon, Lyanna's bethrothed.
"How many tens of thousands had to die because Rhaegar chose your aunt?" Littlefinger asked, to which Sansa answers that he did choose her, but also kidnapped and raped her.
The conversation had seemed out of place in the season's storyline, but it brought focus to the long-forgotten characters.
Ser Barristan Selmy also offered a different side of Rhaegar when he told Daenarys (Emilia Clarke) that her brother once went out to the city to sing to his people. "Rhaegar never liked killing. He loved singing," Barristan said, suggesting that the prince was not a violent man who might not be capable of kidnapping and rape.
Fans of the show continue to argue that all the clues lead not only to Jon's lineage, but also to the character's greater purpose in the show. Many believe that Jon will return in Season Six as the resurrected Azor Ahai.
