WARNING: BOOBS, YOUNG AND OLD! Oh, and MAJOR SPOILERS from season six!
Melisandre has divided fans throughout the course of the show and books of the Game of Thrones series. By the end of season five, all of the Melisandre and Stannis theories were chucked out the tower window. And with the long-awaited resurrection of Jon Snow in season six, Melisandre Game of Thrones theories were running wild. The Red Woman certainly didn’t seem so sure of her powers when Davos asked her to bring Jon back to life, but she had enough gas in the magic tank to pull it off all the same. Shows you what a quick nap without a heavy choker will do for you.
In the process of making one of the most popular Melisandre theories come true, the Red Priestess said a lot of fancy Valyrian things, cut Jon’s hair (a little inside joke at the fans there, maybe), and then simply said, “Please.” Turns out, that’s all the gods needed to hear.
Maybe Melisandre’s humility played into the awakening of the Lord Commander. And just maybe the combination of Davos, the Crows at the door, the Wildling army, Ghost, and the dire situation, in general, was the trick to bring Jon Snow back. One of the popular Melisandre/Jon Snow theories is that Snow is the returned Azor Ahai, the Champion of the Liight and the only one who can defeat the Night’s King and the undead frozen army beyond the Wall. If so, good job, lady! If not, fans are still happy that Kit Harrington is back and that Melisandre has stopped burning children at the stake. For now.
As the internet runs around in circles screaming at the sky and spawning new of Game of Thrones fan theories, let’s take a closer look at the lady who can give birth to shadow demons, raise the dead, and doesn’t look a day over 400.
Photo: HBO
Did She Get Some Help from Davos to Raise Jon from the Dead?
Photo: HBO
From the look of things, Jon Snow was pretty dead. Davos drops by to see Melisandre after her disco nap to ask her to raise Jon. She’s unsure and defeated because she backed the wrong king. But Davos, who has never been fond of the Red Woman, says, “I’m not asking the Lord of Light. I’m asking you.” There is a theory that Davos could be the link to the resurrection of Azor Ahai and that his joining together with Melisandre is the magic that brought Jon Snow out of his loinclothy death slumber. Or was it Ghost all along?
Did Melisandre Break Jon When She Resurrected Him?
Photo: HBO
If Melisandre is a 400-year-old witch, she certainly has the knowledge and skills to raise the dead, even if she seemed doubtful to Davos. And considering that doubt, is there something off with her magic? George R.R. Martin has cautioned fans in the past about what happens to those who are brought back. "My characters who come back from death are worse for wear. In some ways, they're not even the same characters before. The body may be moving, but some aspect of the spirit is changed or transformed, and they've lost something."
Just ask Lord Beric Dondarrion about that. Dondarrion has been resurrected six times. He even admits that he’s not right, losing a piece of himself each time. Will Jon Snow be just a little bit funny when he walks among the living? Whatever state Jon is in, Alliser and Olly better watch their backs.
Let’s Talk About That Choker
Photo: HBO
If Melisandre’s necklace holds the power to affect how she is seen, fans were quick to point out that she was in the tub without it back in season four in the episode “Mockingbird” and she looked a lot less vintage. So what gives? In a show where the average budget is $6 million, the script supervisor and all of the forces behind that position aren't likely to make such a huge continuity error.
So one theory from Redditor brashendeavors is that Selyse actually did see the Red Woman in her true ancient form (watch the scene again) and the queen was fascinated, appalled, and a whole lot OMG on the inside. Or perhaps Melisandre is in full control of when she will reveal her true self and the choker is just a choker.
But… remember that time she poisoned Cressen because he was trying to warn Stannis about her? She drank the same poison he did and lived. And then her choker glowed.
Melisandre Is Jon Snow’s Grandmother
Photo: HBO
Say what?! This fan theory is delightfully fun and gross to ponder. Maybe Melisandre doesn’t even know this herself. But a few fans have flung the theory out into the Thrones universe. If she knows this, then why did she throw in with Stannis and why did she try to seduce her grandbaby? It’s okay to throw up in your mouth a little.
Melisandre Will Sacrifice Herself Because Either Davos or Jon Snow is Azor Ahai
Photo: HBO
All this time, Melisandre thought Stannis was the reborn champion sent by R’hllor, but a fan theory believes that the Onion Knight is actually Azor Ahai and the Red Woman was drawn to that presence and not Stannis himself. The prophecy about Azor Ahai’s return states “when the red star bleeds and darkness gathers” so maybe Melisandre is the red star that will bleed. She may also bleed for Jon Snow if he turns out to be the Champion of Light.
She's a Red Walker
Photo: HBO
Sort of borrowing a term from The Walking Dead here, but what if Melisandre is a kind of Red Walker of the seven kingdoms? This fan theory is held up by the fact that she can mask her advanced age, she is impervious to the cold, and she doesn’t need to eat or drink.
