Game of Thrones: Does it matter [Spoiler] deserted the Night's Watch?

In the end of Game of Thrones, one person was sent to the Night’s Watch to atone for sins. Does it really matter that it looks like that character immediately deserted?

Caution: There are spoilers for the Game of Thrones series finale in this post.

Game of Thrones came to an end after nine years and eight seasons. Regardless of what you think, this is the ending we’ve received. You can pick it apart all you want, but it’s not going to change anything. However, I do have a question should the show ever be revived in some form in a few years time.

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One of the characters was sent to the Night’s Watch. Yes, it’s all about Jon Snow, who killed Daenerys because of the mad tyrant she had become. The Unsullied and Dothraki needed some sort of punishment but Bran would never order the execution of his brother/cousin/whatever you want to call him. So, the Night’s Watch was all that was available.

Looking past the slight issues with Jon heading to the Night’s Watch – why is there one still in the first place? – there’s a question lingering for me as a fan. After reaching Castle Black, he reunited with Ghost and Tormund and was then seen heading off past the Wall into the North.

Does this mean he’s deserted the Night’s Watch? Is Jon now Lord Commander again? Is he First Ranger? Or is he heading North to live with the Wildlings and be King Beyond the Wall, the next Mance Rayder?

If he’s the King Beyond the Wall, then he’s breaking his vows to the Night’s Watch. He’s deserting, but does it really matter? It’s not like Sansa or Bran will even care that he’s headed further North. They’re not exactly going to go after him, right?

Plus, the Unsullied and Dothraki left Westeros, so are they really going to care about what’s happened in the end? If they really cared, they would have fought harder for an execution.

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It’s not like there’s any need for the Wall right now. Okay, in a few generations there may be. When all those who have known Jon die, only his memory will live on. Unless there’s someone to take over the role of King Beyond the Wall, the Wildings could become a problem again. But by that point, Jon’s desertion really wouldn’t matter.

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Whatever he’s done, Jon is likely going to be happier. He’ll always live with what he had to do to Daenerys and the loss of another love, but I doubt he’ll be sad forever. He has Ghost, Tormund, and the Wildlings who came to respect and follow him. And he knows his family would never kill him for his decision to head as far north as possible. It really was the best ending for Jon Snow.

Oh, and if they’re going to go against Jon for desertion, they might want to execute Samwell. He went against the Night’s Watch and the Maesters by fathering a child with Gilly. I don’t exactly think that’s going to happen considering Sam has a place on the Small Council.

Next. 25 Game of Thrones characters you'd want on your small council. dark

What did you think of the Game of Thrones ending? What did you think of Jon’s decision to head further north? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Game of Thrones is now available in full on HBO.

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Game of Thrones: Does it matter [Spoiler] seemed to desert the Night’s Watch?

By Alexandria Ingham | May 21, 2019

In the end of Game of Thrones, one person was sent to the Night’s Watch to atone for sins. Does it really matter that it looks like that character immediately deserted?