Warning: Winter Is Here And So Are GOT Spoilers
Jon Snow’s trusty sword Longclaw was a focal point in the latest episode, even serving to signify a new trust between fellow Dany-admirers Jon and Ser Jorah Mormont.
However, there was also another, slightly more subtle moment with Longclaw which many fans completely missed, what with all the murderous ice zombies and dragon deaths (RIP Viserion, you big beautiful scale baby).
Luckily, Game of Thrones has arguably the most observant fans in the universe, ready to find significance in the tiniest of details.
Not long after the episode aired, Reddit user miba 54 made a very interesting point about Longclaw’s eyes, remarking, ‘I can’t be the only one who noticed this about Longclaw’.
As we were all reminded early on the episode, the top of the sword was originally shaped like a bear’s head to represent House Mormont. When Jon was gifted the sword by Jeor ‘Old Bear’ Mormont, the head was refashioned into the image of a Stark Direwolf.
The bond between Jon and Longclaw was reaffirmed as Jorah refused to take the sword, acknowledging it as belonging to Jon and his future descendants.
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Later in the episode, we were all getting major de ja vu as Jon appeared to sink to an icy second death. Surely we couldn’t lose our favourite brooding bastard once again?
However, Jon made yet another miraculous return, pulling himself from the freezing waters. Just at the moment he emerges, Longclaw’s tiny eyes snap open, much like Viserion’s at the very end when he awakens as a huge dragon zombie.
Check it out. Here is Longclaw with closed eyes:
And here is Longclaw with his eyes wide open, moments later:
Could this just be an illusion of all the sparkling snow? Or is there really something more mystical to Longclaw than first meets the eye?
Well, allow me to explain…
If you remember the back end of season six, Uncle Benjen rescued Bran and Meera from wights during their long journey back to the wall. Uncle Benjen remarked how he had been serving the Three-Eyed Raven since he was lost beyond The Wall and now that Bran was the Three-Eyed Raven, he’d now be serving him. Well, that was implied at least.
Anyway, unless you have the memory of a goldfish, you’ll remember Uncle Benjen returning just in the nick of time to save Jon Snow from what was almost certainly going to be a grim and frankly miserable death at the hands of a mob of wights.
Well, the best explanation for Longclaw’s eyes changing as they did is that Bran, the Three-Eyed Raven, warged into the sword and saw Jon in trouble, meaning Uncle Benjen knew just when he was needed in the fight against The Night King’s army of the dead.
So for all the fans out there wondering just how Uncle Benjen managed to turn up at the right moment, there’s your answer. He was simply answering the call of the Three-Eyed Raven who is everywhere and anywhere at any given moment.
It may be ridiculous, but this is Game of Thrones, and therefore plausible too.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.