By Kathryn Lindsay, Refinery29
Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) may be one of the most complicated couples in history. Once we got past all that bend-the-knee business, they seemed perfectly poised to lead the north to victory under Daenerys' rule. Then, season 8 arrived. Not only has Jon finally learned the true nature of his parentage, which gives him a claim to the Iron Throne, but he's informed Daenerys of that little wrench in her grand plan. Now she's faced with two harsh realities: she's not the ruler of the seven kingdoms, and also she's been sleeping with her nephew. One of those concerns her more than the other, and it's not the one you think.
Before we see how the couple handles this new bit of information, it's worth looking back on how hard they worked to get here. Susan Constantine, body language expert and president of The Human Behavior Lab, took a look at some of the big moments between the two characters over the past season or so and was able to glean a lot of interesting information about their dynamic. Spoiler: Dany may not be as ready as she thinks she is to go up against Jon Snow.
Ahead, take a look at how their relationship has changed over the episodes, and where we're at before season 8 returns for episode 3 this Sunday.
Season 7, Episode 3
"Obviously there's a tremendous amount of space between the two of them," Constantine tells Refinery29. "They're making intense eye contact her hands are up front, so she's feeling small. We see closed posture where she's got her fingers crossed, intertwined like that. But she has a very intense look. So does he."
Season 7, Episode 5
"Her frontal profile is turning towards me, the viewer, and then just her head is turned. So this is creating a little bit of uncertainty," Constantine says. "Even though she's moving forward, she's still wants to engage, but she's uncertain based on his response. His response seems to be a little bit more of a grimace or intense look. Her eyebrows are pinched together. You could see her forehead wrinkling up and she's showing some concern. She's not really sure where he's at with that."
Season 7, Episode 7
"She's turned her torso towards him. She's fully engaged, you know, eyes open, strong eye contact and their mouths are very relaxed," Constantine pointed out. "There's no tension between the two. There seems to be that real emotional connection and understanding. When you're making strong eye contact, you're seeing through the windows of each other's eyes. And then when their mouths slightly drop, it's like you are having this 'aha' moment.
He now turns his torso slightly towards her, but she's more than he is. He's like that protector — 'I can't get too close. I have to keep my ground.'"
Season 8, Episode 1
"This one is 'aaaaah,'" she joked. "She's got her head slightly tilted and a concealed smile. You can see it, but her eyes are bright. Her torso is turned directly towards him and she's gazing up at him in just wonderment.
"His eyes are a little bit more narrowed. Hers are more open. She's bright-eyed and excited. She's trying not to overplay it. He is more intense. He's squinting his eyes like, 'I'm wondering, I'm pondering, is it possible,' you know?"
Season 8, Episode 2
"So this is the one that's protection, safety, concern," Constantine said. "She's hanging onto him for protection. He is looking up thinking, 'all right, now what am I supposed to do next?' This very courageous person, he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is intently thinking of what to do and she is looking up at him with reverence and trust, but yet still she has some concern because you can see her eyebrows pinching up."
