We continue our week of Game of Thrones theory today with one of our personal favourites - the theory that Tyrion Lannister could in fact have Targaryen blood in both the television and Song of Ice and Fire novel series.
Credit: HBO
Is there any solid evidence?
We did find out from Barristan Selmy during a conversation with Daenerys Targaryen that Aerys was openly lusting for Tywin Lannister's wife, Joanna, and he took "liberties" with her during her bedding ceremony.
Both the books and the show have now showcased Tyrion's "morbid fascination" with dragons, and in the series we have seen him not only release two of Daenerys' dragons, but free them without being gobbled up and attacked. Also experiencing 'dragon dreams', it's important to note how George R R Martin has in the past articulated how Targaryen family members are particularly afflicted with that type of dreaming.
Then there's the way in which Tyrion looks. His hair colour has been descreibed as "so blonde as to be almost white", which would fit in with the Targaryens, and his mismatched eye colour would fit in with other Targaryens such as Shiera Seastar - one of the infamous Great Bastards of King Aegon IV Targaryen.
Some also believe that when Tywin Lannister was shot with the crossbow, he revealed the truth about Tyrion when saying: "You... You are no... No son of mine." This echos the way in which Tyrion has been treated by his supposed father throughout the series - with hatred and contempt - but could there be deeper meaning there? Tywin even attempted to have Tyrion killed via trial by combat - surely a true parent wouldn't do that to their son, even if they were a Lannister?
Finally, the prophecy of 'the dragon with three heads' which dons the Targaryen sigil may be the most literal prophecy the series has. Daenerys is obviously one of the heads, and if the R+L=J theory is correct, Jon is likely the second. That means Tyrion could be the third and final head to complete the dragon.
How plausible is this theory?
Not as plausible as the first theory we explored - R+L=J - but certainly plausible nonetheless. Tyrion's love for knowledge, acknowledgement at the Lannisters' misjudgements and more could all mean he isn't a pure-blooded member of the house after all. If true, we've got some major respect for George R R Martin. His setting up of major story threads such as this one would go down in the history books.
Game of Thrones continues Sundays in the US on HBO and Mondays in the UK on Sky Atlantic.
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