The seventh season of Game Of Thrones saw the last Targaryens, Daenerys and Jon Snow, finally come together at their ancestral seat of Dragonstone. Jon and Dany's union initially seemed promising, but throughout the final season, the divide between House Targaryen and House Stark grew clear. Sansa rejected the Khaleesi and continued to scheme for northern independence, whilst Arya made it clear that she didn't trust Jon's queen.
Daenerys proved to be a fiery threat to the rest of the world when she mercilessly destroyed King's Landing with dragonfire. At Tyrion's behest, Jon Snow chose to protect Sansa, Arya, and Bran by killing his queen. Yet there were plenty of reasons for the secret Targaryen heir to have sided with Daenerys over the Starks.
Why Daenerys: Jon And Dany Were In Love
Season 7 saw Jon and Daenerys slowly fall in love with each other after joining forces at Dragonstone. Initially intimidated by the other monarch, the last Targaryens develop mutual respect as they get to know each other, and their relationship could have united Westeros like their ancestors Jaehaerys and Alysanne.
Jon and Dany's romance could have survived the R+L=J revelation if Jon had embraced his Targaryen heritage. The dragonlords were no strangers to incest and married their family members for centuries.
Why The Starks: Jon Was Always Loyal To The North
Ultimately, Jon couldn't embrace his Targaryen heritage; he was a northerner through and through. The former Lord Commander was arguably happiest when he was with the wildlings beyond the Wall. Jon may have resented moving south for Daenerys eventually, longing for his true home.
Jon could have sided with Queen Daenerys only for the Mother of Dragons to declare war on the north and House Stark. Although he loved his queen, he loved the land he grew up in more.
Why Daenerys: They Could Have Restored The Targaryen Dynasty
Had Jon and Daenerys married and united their claims, their family's dynasty could have been restored to its former glory. House Targaryen was ousted from the Iron Throne by Robert Baratheon, but Jon and Dany could have conquered the country and reinstated their family's sovereignty.
During season 8, Davos laments that the Seven Kingdoms could prosper under the "just" Queen Daenerys and "honorable" King Jon. Both dragonriders, the last Targaryens were a force to be reckoned with who could have been unstoppable.
Why The Starks: His Closest Family Member Was Arya
For Jon Snow, growing up in Winterfell wasn't without its hardships. Ned Stark disguised Lyanna and Rhaegar's secret son as his bastard; Jon was scorned by Lady Catelyn throughout his childhood and joined the Night's Watch believing he could inherit no lands or titles.
Jon was closest to his pseudo sister Arya during their childhood, as both of them regarded themselves as the family's misfits. Despite their estrangement, Jon would never choose Daenerys or his Targaryen lineage over his favorite family member.
Why Daenerys: He Was The Only Family Member Daenerys Had
One of the most tragic elements of Daenerys' character is her loneliness. After the deaths of Viserys, Drogo, and Rhaego, Dany was left alone in the world, stranded from her home country. Daenerys believed herself to be the last remaining Targaryen and carried the weight of her family's legacy.
Bran, Sansa, and Arya had each other, whereas Jon was the only family Daenerys had left. Maester Aemon stated that "a Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing," highlighting the need for a union between the remaining dragonlords.
Why The Starks: He Was Raised By Ned Stark
Not only was Jon raised in the north, but he was raised by his honorable uncle, Eddard Stark. Ned raised Jon as his son and betrayed his honor to keep him safe from Robert Baratheon. Jon loved Ned dearly and was devastated by his death; it is unlikely he would have betrayed Ned's memory by siding with Daenerys against Ned's children.
Jon inherited Ned's honor and loyalty to the north. Despite being the heir to House Targaryen, Jon was always more of a direwolf than a dragon.
Why Daenerys: She Saved His Life Twice
Daenerys came to Jon Snow's rescue twice during the series. Firstly, in season 7's "Beyond The Wall," when she and her dragons saved Jon and co. from the army of the dead, losing Viserion in the process. Daenerys and Drogon saved Jon from wights again during "The Long Night" whilst the Night King advanced on Bran.
Daenerys saved Jon's life, despite his claim to the throne as Rhaegar's legitimate heir. Ultimately, he repaid her by killing her during the series finale "The Iron Throne."
Why The Starks: He Loved Arya, Bran, And Sansa More
Jon may have loved Daenerys, but season 8 proved that the secret Targaryen loved his Stark cousins more. He told Sansa and Arya the truth about his parentage, against Dany's wishes, and ultimately chose them over his aunt/queen by murdering her to keep them safe.
Jon grew up with Sansa, Arya, and Bran for years in Winterfell, whereas Daenerys was a stranger to him until season 7. His heart swayed him from Dany's side back to the people he truly considered his family.
Why Daenerys: She Trusted Him With One Of Her Dragons
Daenerys showed Jon a great amount of trust during the series. During season 8's "Winterfell," the Targaryen queen trusts him with one of her strongest weapons; her green dragon, Rhaegal. Jon bonds with Rhaegal, joining Dany for a frosty flight before fighting the Night King and Viserion in the Battle of Winterfell.
As well as saving his life, Dany trusted Jon with one of her dragons, making her death at his hands even more heartbreaking.
Why The Starks: Daenerys Destroyed King's Landing
Despite her previously good intentions, the Dragon Queen proved herself to be the biggest threat in the world during "The Bells." Daenerys and Drogon incinerated King's Landing after the city's surrender, burning thousands of people alive. Jon was horrified by Dany's actions and, at Tyrion's urging, eliminated the danger she posed.
Sadly, Daenerys proved her naysayers right by succumbing to Targaryen madness. Jon acted to protect his family - and the rest of the world - from her wrath. Although his actions were understandable, it would have been appropriate in a variety of ways for him to stay with Daenerys, the two of them restoring their family's unparalleled legacy.