To the surprise of many, Game of Thrones' season 8 finale ended with Jon Snow not on the Iron Throne, but instead returning to join the Night's Watch as his punishment for killing Daenerys Targaryen. It's a fate that brings Jon's story full circle, as Game of Thrones began with the "Stark bastard" choosing to take the black and head to the Wall, with the ambition of protecting the realms of men. However, the White Walkers have already been defeated, the Wall compromised, and the men of the Night's Watch almost entirely eradicated, so taking the black doesn't mean what it used to. Many viewers were left wondering why Jon went back to the Wall.

The Jon Snow spinoff and Game of Thrones sequel — the working title of which is Snow — is bound to reveal more about the fate of the last known living member of House Targaryen after the divisive conclusion of the original series. While Snow is yet to be assigned an official release date or window, House of the Dragon season 2 being slated to drop in 2024 means that the Jon Snow spinoff could arrive by 2025. For now, here's everything viewers might've forgotten about why Jon went back North.

Related: Game Of Thrones: Everyone Who Knew Jon Snow Was A Targaryen Before Him

Why Jon Snow Went North Of The Wall After Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones Finale Jon Pets Ghost

Jon being sent to the Wall was a compromise. As Tyrion explained, either giving Jon to Grey Worm and the Unsullied, or setting him free completely, would have started yet another war. Jon still wanted nothing to do with ruling Westeros, so his "punishment" suited him just fine. The final branch in the House Targaryen family tree, Jon Snow turned his back on his heritage - and with it the Iron Throne - and instead went back to the North, where he has always been drawn and has always seemed most comfortable. As Tormund said to him the last time they parted, "You've got the North in you."

Upon his arrival at Castle Black, Jon found Tormund, Ghost, and the Wildlings waiting for him. It was clear that manning the Wall was no longer important, so Jon chose instead to venture North of the Wall with his fellow Northmen. With the White Walkers gone and no more Crows guarding the Wall, the icy reaches of the North are now a safer place for the Free Folk to live. It's possible that Jon could establish some sort of new kingdom there as the new King Beyond the Wall. This and other fan theories could potentially be settled in Game of Thrones' 2025 Jon Snow spinoff.

Game of Thrones Pilot

Apart from why Jon went back to the wall, what's particularly poetic about Game of Thrones' final scene is the way it mirrors the very first scene of the pilot episode. The show began with three brothers of the Night's Watch opening the gate at Castle Black and heading north into the woods, where viewers were introduced to the White Walkers and their wights for the first time. The show ends in the same way, except this time it's Jon heading out to explore, and the Wildlings no longer have to fear the undead.

Game Of Thrones Jon Snow Spinoff Will Show What He Does North Of The Wall

Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thrones season 8

Jon is not alone in ending the original series by starting a new journey, as Drogon flew to the east with Daenerys' body — although, unlike Jon's fate, it's ultimately unclear what happened to Drogon after Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, Grey Worm took the Unsullied to Naath, and Arya decided to get on a ship and explore what's "West of Westeros." There could probably be half a dozen spinoff shows exploring what happens to each of these characters next, and in 2025, HBO will do just that in Snow. In fact, the Jon Snow spinoff/sequel could provide more narrative context for why Jon went back to the Wall — with respect to the prophecy of The Prince That Was Promised, which neither Game of Thrones nor House of the Dragon has resolved.

Related: Every Aegon Targaryen In Game Of Thrones Explained (Including Jon Snow)

Indeed, way beyond the northernmost Wildling kingdom lies The Lands of Always Winter, a largely unexplored land mass that could actually rival the Seven Kingdoms in size, and is believed to hold the secrets of the White Walkers. In the land of the Thenns, north of the Frostfangs, Jon Snow could find out that there's more to the prophecy of The Prince That Was Promised than what Game of Thrones revealed, as it's entirely possible that there are worse things than White Walkers this far into uncharted lands. This far North, it is said to snow even in the summer, and where no men can venture, the Children of the Forest await the arrival of Jon Snow.

Next: Kit Harington's Jon Snow Update Proves GOT Sequel Concerns Wrong