It’s hard to believe there was ever a time audiences considered Jon Snow to be Game of Thrones' de facto main character. While still ultimately important to the greater narrative, season 8 put into perspective just how unimportant Jon was by refusing to give him a single traditional sword fight across two major battle episodes. As Jon Snow was arguably best defined by his combat abilities and prowess as a sword fighter, season 8 fails to make proper use of the character.
What’s worse, however, is how season 8 wastes Kit Harington. Jon Snow’s many sword fifths are only as entertaining as they are because of Kit’s mesmerizingly fast swordplay. Jon Snow may have spent more time brooding than fighting by season 8, but his sword fights were often some of Game of Thrones’ best moments.
Jon Snow Versus Viserion
Jon’s last real fight in the series comes when he stands down Viserion during the Battle of Winterfell. With the Night King approaching ever closer to Bran and the Army of the Dead overwhelming the Northern forces, Jon has no choice but to brave a one on one confrontation. Unfortunately, the Night King understands he’d likely lose and sics Wights on Jon.
Jon manages to fight his way through the soldiers only to be intercepted by Viserion. The undead dragon proves to be too much trouble, forcing Jon into a series of run away tactics that ultimately result in him attempting a suicide attack with Longclaw. Thankfully, Arya kills the Night King before Jon even needs to fight back. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make for a good fight. And as Jon’s last real fight in the series, it certainly would have been nice if he got to slay the dragon he was fighting.
Jon Snow Versus Qhorin Halfhand
In general, Game of Thrones doesn’t handle Qhorin Halfhand half as well as A Clash of Kings does. In the books, Jon and Qhorin spend a considerable amount of time bonding, with the latter taking on a mentor role for Jon in lieu of Lord Commander Mormont’s absence from the story. When it comes time for Jon and Qhorin to fight, there’s quite a bit of weight– his death directly driving Jon’s arc in A Storm of Swords.
Season 2 pivots, giving Ygritte this role instead of Qhorin Halfhand. Jon and Qhorin still fight as dictated by the plot, but the lack of relationship between the two muddies the moment (not helping matters was Kit Harington’s real life injury at the time.) If nothing else, Qhorin instead represents the spirit of the Night’s Watch on a whole with solid editing leading to an engaging– if narratively underwhelming– duel.
Jon Snow Versus Ramsay Bolton
This isn’t so much a sword fight as it is a beatdown, but it’s worth pointing for a number of reasons. The most obvious, of course, being that this marks the end of the Battle of Bastards, but Jon and Ramsay are also thematic foils– their little showdown at the end of the episode puts into perspective the fundamental differences between Jon & Ramsay.
All battle, Ramsay has the opportunity to take Jon out, but he chooses to play with his food– he sends out Rickon in a death march that motivates the North’s morale, he orchestrates a suicide attack for his soldiers that results in them getting wiped out the instant reinforcement arrive, and he seals his death sentence when he kills Wun-Wun instead of Jon. Jon mercilessly beating Ramsay into submission is pure catharsis.
Jon Snow Versus Orell
Jon’s alliance with the Wildlings in season 3 leads to some of his best moments. Ygritte truly brings out the best in the character, and it’s in season 3 where Kit Harington truly began to get a feel for Jon Snow. Falling in love with Ygritte, Jon finds himself torn between his duty to the Night’s Watch and the genuine feelings he’s developed living amongst the Wildlings.
With the Wall scaled and the Wildlings preparing to attack Castle Black, Jon realizes he needs to defect. With rain falling and Ygritte confused as to protect or attack the love of her life, Jon kills Orell– but not before the latter wargs and leaves Jon’s face permanently scarred.
Jon Snow Versus Karl Tanner
The Legend of Gin Alley, Karl Tanner is a character exclusive to the show who was introduced as a means to flesh out Jon’s arc come season 4. His continued mutiny at Craster’s Keep is ostensibly narrative filler, but it does tie up a loose end while also providing some foreshadowing towards a later Jon moment (but more on that later.)
Jon’s fight with Karl puts into perspective the lack of difference between lowborns and highborns. Even without a proper Master at Arms to train him, Karl is able to gain the upperhand on Jon by using sneak attacks. Jon nearly wins the fight himself, but Karl spits blood in Jon’s eyes. Had it not been for one of Craster’s daughters, Jon would be dead.
Jon Snow Versus Thyr, Magnar Of Thenn
What’s great about Jon’s fight with Karl Tanner in retrospect is that he actually learns something. Kit Harrington’s swordplay naturally improves over the course of the season, but season 4 has a little training arc built in for Jon– and it’s all in the background. During the fight against Thyr, the Magnar of Thenn, Jon ends overwhelmed by his sheer strength.
While Jon is able to fight back with Longclaw, he’s only able to overwhelm Thyr by spitting blood in his face (much like how Karl did to him early in the season.) With Thyr distracted, Jon smashes Donal Noye’s hammer into his head, killing the Magnar of Thenn on the spot.
Jon Snow Versus White Walker
The Battle at Hardhome isn’t a show invention, but it’s not an event Jon is present for in the books. It’s worth noting that what happened at Hardhome is conveyed in a chilling manner which the show naturally capitalizes on, but they’re two very different events. All things considered, the show version is better.
Not only does the Battle at Hardhome feature what is arguably Game of Thrones’ best action, Jon’s swordplay is out of control from start to finish. His fight against the White Walker is one of the tensest moments in the entire series, and the shot of Longclaw connecting a block is quite an emotional turning point. Realizing what he holds in his hands, Jon cuts down the White Walker with a swiftness that needs to be seen to be believed.