If Game Of Thrones Season 9 Happens, It Can Use A Great Character From Jon Snow's Book Story That I Wish The Show Hadn't Cut -

Jon Snow’s story is over for now, but he’d have to be a big part of things if HBO ever makes Game of Thrones season 9. Jon’s fate was among the more satisfying in season 8, despite the controversy surrounding Daenerys Targaryen’s death, as him going back beyond the Wall was fitting and logical for Game of Thrones‘ ending. It’s not a conclusion that directly sets up further adventures, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Indeed, HBO already came close to bringing him back, with Kit Harington’s Jon Snow sequel show spending some time in development, before it was eventually shelved as they couldn’t find the right story. That would be true for Game of Thrones season 9, as well, should it happen (which… again, isn’t impossible in an era where it feels like everything comes back in some way). While Jon’s story may have ended in a similar place to where his book journey will, there is one A Song of Ice and Fire character who should still be used for it.

Game Of Thrones Left Out One Great Character From Jon Snow’s Story

One More Wildling Would’ve Been A Great Addition

Jon Snow and Mance Rayder in Game of Thrones

On the whole, Game of Thrones did a good job with Jon Snow’s book story. It certainly oversimplified things and smoothed the edges of it, turning him into a purely good character and losing some of the moral conflicts and difficult decisions that make his arc so fascinating, particularly in A Dance with Dragons. Still, the core of the character was there, and I do love where he ended up (if not everything en route to it). But one of the biggest omissions that I really wish they’d found room for, was the character Val.

Collage of Rhaegar Targaryen marrying Lyanna Stark behind a closeup of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones

Game Of Thrones: Everyone Who Knew Jon Snow Was A Targaryen Before Him

Jon Snow learning he was a Targaryen became a key point in his character arc, but he was one of the last to learn who his real parents were.

The sister of Mance Rayder’s wife, Dalla, Val is a wildling who is introduced in A Storm of Swords, and gradually becomes a bigger part of Jon’s story, especially after the death of Ygritte. Like her, she’s fierce, courageous, strong-willed, and has a great, undeniable chemistry with Jon, so much so there’s even a possibility they could eventually end up together in the books.

With Val, Jon could get everything he might want: a wife, a child, even becoming Jon Stark.

Val’s a great character in her own right, with a dark edge to her that plays off well with Jon, and it’s how they interact and what she represents that I really love. She’s a temptation to him. With Val, Jon could get everything he might want: a wife, a child, even becoming Jon Stark. And while he turns it down, those possibilities still remain and highlight the conflicts within him.

“‘Did you follow me as well?’ Jon reached to shoo the bird away but ended up stroking its feathers. The raven cocked its eye at him. ‘Snow,’ it muttered, bobbing its head knowingly. Then Ghost emerged from between two trees, with Val beside him. They look as though they belong together. Val was clad all in white; white woolen breeches tucked into high boots of bleached white leather, white bearskin cloak pinned at the shoulder with a carved weirwood face, white tunic with bone fastenings. Her breath was white as well … but her eyes were blue, her long braid the color of dark honey, her cheeks flushed red from the cold. It had been a long while since Jon Snow had seen a sight so lovely.” – Jon XI, A Dance with Dragons.

The show cut Val in order to streamline things, as it did with much of that part of Jon’s story – including a twist where Mance Rayder doesn’t actually die. I can see why the showrunners did so, as she was theoretically expendable to the story the show was telling, but it was still a huge shame.

Game Of Thrones Season 9 Should Still Use Val For Jon Snow’s Arc

She Can’t Be Exactly The Same, But It Can Keep A Lot

Kit Harington as Jon Snow heading Beyond the Wall in the Game of Thrones finale

Though Val’s book story couldn’t be directly transplanted into a hypothetical ninth season of Game of Thrones, the character could still be included. If you take the name, the defining character traits, and give her a close relationship with Jon Snow in some form that feels true to the one they have in A Song of Ice and Fire, then you still end up with a strong character and a really great dynamic.

That would be important for continuing Jon’s arc after Game of Thrones season 8. Notably, he’s still with the wildlings, so there is an opportunity for Val to be among them. She may not have the Mance Rayder connection, but much of who she is at her core could hold true. It’s easy to imagine a scenario of her leading a group of wildlings who might be more antagonistic, but just as viable would be having her and Jon form a deep bond and perhaps even finally have their romance (which is even better if the books do confirm it).

The idea of Jon being plagued by guilt and trauma over what happened with Daenerys, but Val being someone he meets where he’s able to heal and love again, could be compelling for his story.

The idea of Jon being plagued by guilt and trauma over what happened with Daenerys, but Val being someone he meets where he’s able to heal and love again, could be compelling for his story. She even feels a little like a combination of Ygritte and Daenerys, Jon’s two loves: the fierce wildling of the true north who reflects that’s where Jon really belongs, and the beautiful blonde-haired princess who is also strong-willed and brave.

Bran and Jon Snow in Game of Thrones season 8

There Aren’t A Lot Of Great Ways To Make Game Of Thrones Season 9, But I’m Convinced These 6 Theories Would Work

Since the Game of Thrones finale in 2019, it’s been fun to explore the possibilities of a continuation. These are some exciting examples.

If Game of Thrones season 9 were to happen, I think it’d be interesting for Jon’s story to deal with his trauma, but also to be somewhat about exploration. The lands farthest north are the ones least known, and while I wouldn’t want a retcon that brings back the White Walkers, there could be lingering secrets, mysteries, and even terrors to be uncovered. Jon on this frontier-style expedition, and meeting Val in the process, could be fascinating if done right, and finally do justice to an excellent book character.