The Pack Survives: Stark Symbolism in the new season 8 teaser trailer

Ned, Catelyn, and Lyanna

We should assume that the parentage reveal will be of the utmost significance come season 8. Game of Thrones didn’t spend seven years leading up to it only to toss it away as a non-issue. The content of the teaser, especially the voiceovers, suggest as much, as well as hint at Jon’s ultimate decision about his identity.

"Lyanna Stark: “You have to protect him.”"

From the start, Jon’s inclusion in the Stark family was necessary for his survival. As Lyanna told Ned on her deathbed, Robert would have had him killed if he knew the truth of it. When Ned kept the secret wholly to himself, he affected not only Jon’s self-perception, but also Catelyn’s relationship with the boy.

"Catelyn: “All of this horror that has come to my family, it was all because I couldn’t love a motherless child.”"

This voiceover plays over images of Sansa and Arya as the sisters make their way through the crypts. The fact that they share Catelyn’s quote suggests that they will both do what their aunt asked, what their father did, and what their mother freely admitted she couldn’t: protect Jon, and love him for who he is, regardless of where he came from.

Jon has had hang-ups about his origins throughout the series, and when the reality comes crashing down, he’s going to need reassurance. He’s always wanted to be named a Stark, but what are the chances of that when he learns that his father was a Targaryen? Likely Sansa and Arya will both serve an integral role in snapping Jon out of what could be a morose, angst-ridden state. They’ll reassure him of who he is, and that his place among the Starks hasn’t changed. As Sansa said in season 6, “Jon is Jon,” and I think we’ll see that theme reasserted.

"Ned: “You are a Stark. You might not have my name, but you have my blood.”"

The takeaway here is that, however it comes about, Jon will choose the Starks and the North above all else. And just as importantly, the Starks will stand by him when he does.

The teaser trailer draws visual parallels between Jon, Sansa, Arya and their predecessors. Jon sports his Stark furs and updo reminiscent of Ned; Sansa’s hairstyle is similar to ones often worn by Catelyn, and is the same braided Northern look that Lyanna wore during her elopement with Rhaegar Targaryen; and Arya is dressed much like Lyanna in season 6’s Winterfell flashback. We’re seeing a resurgence of the past here. But with the knowledge of past mistakes and soon-to-be-unveiled secrets, this next generation of Starks might just be able to right the wrongs of those who came before.