The Dark Truth About the Time Jump in Game of Thrones
By Zoe Jackson | You guys, if you’re anything like me, you still can’t get enough of the world of Westeros after the final season of Game of Thrones. I mean, who wouldn’t want to revisit the Seven Kingdoms and catch up on all the drama (and let’s be real, some questionable plot decisions)? But as much as I adore the show, there’s one aspect that always sticks out in my mind: the time jump.
For those who might not remember, or for newbies who haven’t quite caught up, let’s just say it’s a bit of a doozy. The show takes you from the relatively peaceful lands of Westeros to the darker, more mysterious realms beyond the Wall – and trust me, it’s a wild ride. But what’s fascinating about this time jump is how it changes everything we thought we knew about our beloved characters. I mean, who expects to see Jon Snow walking around as Daenerys Targaryen’s ex-lover, right?
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “But wasn’t that just a convenient plot device?” And yeah, let’s face it – it was definitely used to move the story forward and shake things up. However, if we scratch beneath the surface, there’s actually a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
One thing I love about the time jump is how it forces you to reevaluate your relationship with these characters. Like, suddenly Jon Snow, the brooding bastard son of Ned Stark, becomes the King in the North – and we’re supposed to be like, “Oh yeah, this makes total sense!” But honestly? It feels a little…off. I mean, we’ve grown up alongside Jon for so long, watching him grow into this complex, morally ambiguous character (who can even blame him for feeling like he doesn’t quite fit in?). And then – BAM! – he’s whisked away to become Daenerys’ BFF? It’s a little disorienting, if you ask me.
And don’t even get me started on the implications of this time jump. I mean, we’re talking about an entire world beyond Westeros, with its own history and mythology – and suddenly, our characters are just walking into it like they own the place? It’s a bit mind-bending, to be honest. Like, what exactly is happening in these alternate timelines? Are these other versions of the same people we know and love, or are they entirely new characters?
One thing I think George R.R. Martin – the mastermind behind Game of Thrones – does do well is make us question our assumptions about time and memory. I mean, think about it: how much do you really remember from your past? Like, do you recall every single detail from your childhood, or are there bits that just fade away over time? It’s a pretty profound commentary on the human experience – and it’s something that really resonates with me.
But here’s the thing: I’m not even going to get into whether this all makes sense plot-wise (because let’s be real, some of these plot twists are gonna leave you scratching your head). What I want to talk about is what this time jump says about us as viewers. Like, have we ever taken a moment to think about how our favorite characters would react in different circumstances? Would Jon Snow still be the heroic bastard son of Ned Stark if he’d grown up in the wilds beyond the Wall? Or would Daenerys Targaryen have turned out so different with all those years spent fighting wars and facing her own demons?
It’s a pretty cool thought experiment, if you ask me. I mean, imagine taking your favorite fictional characters and dropping them into our own world – what would happen? Would they fit in? Would we even recognize ourselves in their stories? It’s a fun one to explore, because it makes us think about how much we’ve invested in these characters (and the shows that brought them to life) over the years.
So here’s the question for you: if Game of Thrones were to come back someday – and I’m not saying this is going to happen anytime soon (although a girl can dream, right?) – would we be ready for another time jump? Would we appreciate it as much this time around, knowing what we do about the world beyond Westeros now?
I know I’d be pretty torn on that one. On the one hand, I love how it shook up our expectations and kept us guessing. On the other hand, there’s just something so satisfying about having a clear idea of what’s happening in this world – even if it means we’re missing out on some cool surprises along the way.
So let me know: what do you think? Would you be up for another time jump with Game of Thrones, or are you happy to stick with the present-day Westeros we knew and loved?
