Even after Kit Harington announced that his character had died and he wouldn't be back for "Game of Thrones" Season 6, fans of the popular TV series, especially those who have faithfully followed George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire", are unwavering in their conviction that Jon Snow would be back for the new season.
Snow, the Lord Commander, was looking up at the heavens and bleeding into the snow in the ending scene of Season 5's finale. Some were shocked while others were not surprised, but majority believed that Snow would return. Harington raised doubts when he declared to Entertainment Weekly that "I'm dead. I'm not coming back next season."
Most did not believe the Lord Commander's statement was true. In fact, most believe that this was the producers' attempt to cloud the storyline and not spoil anything in the sixth installment of "A Song of Fire and Ice", which we know as "The Winds of Winter". To an extent, it did cloud things, but it kept "Game of Thrones" fans vigilant and ever watchful for hints that may prove Harington's words otherwise.
The first hints to Snow's return are, of course, in the books and the show itself. The popular and highly supported R + L = J theory, if true, is one of the biggest reasons why Snow is coming back next season. It can be said that the whole book is about his character, the promised prince, if the theory holds water.
It is no secret that producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were screened and deemed worthy by George R.R. Martin after both answered the writer's inquiry on who Jon Snow's mother is. This alone denotes how magnanimous the character is. However, one theory cannot be proof for another and thus, evidence, something tangible, is needed.
Prior to Season 5's premiere on HBO, the show's producers and creators, along with Harington and John Bradley, addressed questions from fans as guests of the Oxford Union Society in a full address video, Harington made remarks about how he wanted to be a warg and "put himself inside a wolf." The cast and crew, along with the crowd, burst in laughter after Harington realized the mischievous implications of the words he uttered. Most see this as Harington's subliminal message regarding his character's future. However, the more sensible and more valid hint came from D.B. Weiss. "Two words for you, Season Six," the show's co-creator said in response to Harington.
A more recent hint, almost a confirmation that Harington has been filming for Season 6 is a post from "A Song of Ice and Fire"'s Facebook group. "Here's a hint: I live in Belfast and met Kit and Rose yesterday. I asked to take a picture and he said .. He is forbidden to take pictures because the media cannot know he is in Belfast. He hinted that it was because of name than happens [sic] in today's episode .. After all, what was he doing in town if Jon would not appear in the sixth season? .. Life is dark and full of spoilers guys," reddit user AnakinGabriel's translated version of what the fan posted read. The fan, even after Harington's plea, took a picture and posted it on the Facebook group page.
People argue about the validity of both the post and the image and the time it was taken. However, the locale in the image proves that it is in Belfast. A redditor confirmed that it was outside The Barking Dog on Malone Road. It was reported that the "Game of Thrones" cast were frequent visitors. The decent weather conditions in the photograph suggest that it was taken just this June.
Another hint that has great implications popped up in recent days. Harington was spotted in Wimbledon with his still long hair. The actor has been complaining for years now that his role in the show does not allow him to cut his hair. "If you look a certain way or you have a certain look, it dominates what people think you are. So I'll cut it off quite soon. As soon as I'm allowed," Harintong told Metro last December 2014.
Perhaps the question now is less of whether Snow returns and more of how he will return. The options had been laid out; either he wargs into his direwolf, Ghost; gets revived by the red priestess, Melisandre; or in true Targaryen-fashion, rises as his body gets burned. In addition, there are rumors of him being revived as a white walker. Whatever Martin and the creators decide on, all the evidence suggests that Jon Snow will be in the sixth season of "Game of Thrones."
"I've been worrying about Jon for years. He always comes back," Samwell Tarly said with a smile.
