Video: Was Rhaegar Targaryen the true hero of Game of Thrones?

In the Game of Thrones season 7 finale, we saw the wedding of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, courtesy of Bran and his time-traveling abilities. This reveal was very important to Jon Snow, as it meant that he, as Rhaegar and Lyanna’s son, was a legitimate heir to the Targaryen dynasty and not, in fact, a bastard.

Rhaegar Targaryen has long been a mysterious but pivotal figure in Westerosi history. Where does he come from, and what role will his legacy play in the final battle between the living and the dead, for the fate of Westeros? YouTuber and Game of Thrones theorist Alt Shift X digs into these issues in an all-new video that asks the question: Is Rhaegar the true hero of Game of Thrones?

Rhaegar’s birth is a fascinating story, and is still shrouded in mystery, as is so much of his life. At one point, he thought he was the prophesied Prince that was Promised, and was beloved by commoner and nobleman alike. But while Rhaegar may have had many admirable qualities, he made enormous mistakes. By seemingly setting aside Elia Martell, his first wife, and by choosing to run off with and marry Lyanna Stark, it was Rhaegar who lit the spark that caused the fire that was Robert’s Rebellion.

Or were they mistakes? Alt Shift X convincingly argues that Rhaegar’s choice to abandon his wife and take up with Lyanna may have been purposefully done to fulfill the prophecy of Azor Ahai, and that Rhaegar did everything with an aim to winning the war for the dawn and defeating a coming great threat to Westeros, a threat we now know is the White Walkers. Or he could have just used the prophecy as an excuse to do what he wanted to do anyway.

Whatever the reasons, Rhaegar’s actions led to the birth of Jon Snow, now known to be Aegon Targaryen, actions led to the birth of Jon Snow, who is looking like a good candidate for the guy who will defeat the White Walkers in the end. Interpreting the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised to make Rhaegar Azor Ahai and Jon his sword, Lightbringer, is something I’ve not thought of before.

Next: Composer Ramin Djawadi finally gets a Grammy nomination for his work on Game of Thrones

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