It does beg the question: If Ned got to his sister before Jon was actually born, and his sister was still coherent and communicating -- and even told him the baby's name! -- why wouldn't she have mentioned that she and the babydaddy were married, by the way? That doesn't make a lot of sense.

Robert 100% would have killed baby Jon if he had known. Robert was all about Killing All The Targaryens. That's part of the reason it makes sense that Ned told no one (except, possibly, Howland Reed--who was there--and Benjen--who one could narratively believe that he would trust). Ned was oathbound to Lyanna to keep Jon safe. Keeping Jon safe meant making sure no one knew who his parents were.

And, as this episode illustrates, Starks will keep their word way past the limits of common sense.

I'm not saying he would announce Jon was the heir, but surely he would be at least a little conflicted about telling Robert he has the best claim to the throne. He might even put Robert on the throne but he would justify it differently. Knowing there was a legit heir would eat him up. I just don't buy it.

- and even told him the baby's name! -- why wouldn't she have mentioned that she and the babydaddy were married, by the way?

She did. She said his last name was Targaryan, not Sand. That's means they were married.

A scene was cut explaining the turnaround on Littlefinger. Apparently that wasn't playacting by Arya to fool Littlefinger. Pretty sloppy storytelling to leave this information out:

[link]

That cut scene is pretty lazy storytelling in itself.

That cut scene is pretty lazy storytelling in itself.

Right? You've got an omniscient character in the room. That's kind of cheating.

We watched 1.5 eps of American Gods and I kind of hate it. Will that change or is the season the same? And I love Ricky Whittle (Shadow Moon) and Ian McShane and was really excited for this show. Sigh.

Oh dear! Sad to hear that because I haven't watched yet and want to love it.