Jon Snow and his hair have come a long way since we first met the character during the very first episode of Game of Thrones. Back then, he was only a bastard with a fake beard; ten years and one death later, Snow has become respected throughout Westeros for leading the fight against the army beyond the Wall and growing one sexy man bun.
Unfortunately, Snow’s hair isn’t something we’ll have for much longer. Come May 19 (or even before, gods forbid), we’ll have to officially bid farewell to the Northern underdog — but not before reliving his impressive come-up. Despite what the late Ygritte famously said, Snow does know some things, and according to the last seven (soon to be eight) seasons, the King in the North could teach a masterclass in grooming a medieval beard. It must be that Stark/Targaryen bloodline.
Whatever his secret is, it’s time to reminisce on his decade-long glow-up, regardless of whether or not he makes it the end. Ahead, see how much Jon Snow has grown — literally.
Season One
Barely recognizable when compared to the King in the North we know today, Snow here is still simply known as Eddard "Ned" Stark’s bastard who struggled to even grow a boyish mustache.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Two
By season two, Snow finds himself beyond the Wall, a prisoner of the Free Folk. Windblown, flushed, and visibly perturbed, Snow may be in way over his head, but at least his hair looks sexy — even if Ygritte would never admit it.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Three
Although time is rather elusive in the Game of Thrones world, it’s clear that by season three, Snow is taking a lot of style inspiration from the wildlings while marching south. Covered in dirt, that Free Folk hair texture worked surprisingly well for him.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Four
After being shot three times by Ygritte, his lover-turned-scorned enemy, Snow returns to Castle Black to brace the brotherhood for the impending wildling attack. Does this mean his new facial hair can be called a Power Beard? We think so.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Five
Hello, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, is that you?
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Six
After being betrayed by the brotherhood, Snow is murdered at the end of the season five — only to be revived by Melisandre in season six (hopefully to fulfill one of the many Game of Thrones prophecies). After coming back to life, Snow got a mythic makeover in the form of one hot man bun, not not inspired by his late father/uncle.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Seven
As he arrived at Dragonstone, Snow was a man on a mission — and his man bun told us so. After years of rejecting the Stark name, albeit not really by choice, Snow seemingly embraced his roots with a bun only Ned Stark could love.
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
Season Eight
The final season is likely to bring even more drama into Snow’s life — after all, he did just sleep with his aunt, Daenerys Targaryen. But even though we don’t know much about how the end will unfold (beyond a few breadcrumbs in the show’s Spotify playlist), we do know Snow’s beard and bun will be fully intact and ready for battle. Let’s just hope it survives…
Photo: Courtesy of HBO.
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Source: Refinery29 – Samantha Sasso