Jon Snow Promises A Stark Power Struggle With Sansa In 'Game Of Thrones' Season 7

Last year's major Game of Thrones Episode 9 set piece, the Battle of the Bastards, was one for the Westerosi history books. It had everything, from an underdog side trying to win their home back to an evil villain to a stunning twist when Sansa Stark rode in at the 11th hour with Littlefinger and the Vale cavalry, just in time to save their side.

The problems came after the battle ended. Despite Jon Snow's admission he should have listened to Sansa and his promises she would be "Lady of Winterfell," Lyanna Mormont had other ideas. She led the Northern Lords to proclaim Jon "King in the North."

There's only one small issue with Lady Mormont's declaration. It assumes that by default of being the leader of the army, Jon Snow won that battle. But he didn't. In fact, watching the battle back, Snow and Co made every possible mistake.

Jon Snow reacted emotionally to Rickon's release and rode into a vulnerable position that should have killed him. Davos ignored his orders and rode his half of the army into the battle, allowing Ramsay to pin and crush their army in an ever tightening circle. If Sansa had not arrived and saved them, Bolton would still rule today.

Jon should have listened to Sansa, and he didn't. And from the sounds of it, this dynamic, as well as Sansa's refusal to forget it, will color how things are going in Winterfell when the show returns.

Kit Harington says:

There is definite tension between them right from the first scene. There are the same problems — she questions his decisions and command; he doesn't listen to her. But as far as where that goes or takes them or how dark it can get, we'll see. It gets past sibling squabbling, it gets into two people power struggling.

Considering how the fight with Bolton went, Sansa is right to question Jon, though one hopes she doesn't do it in front of his vassals. But even if Sansa's instinct to make sure her half brother (cousin, whatever) has really thought his choices through is the correct one, we can't forget who is probably encouraging her: Littlefinger.

And whatever Littlefinger encourages, those he's encouraging should always do the opposite. It is known.

Game of Thrones Season 7 debuts July 16 on HBO at 9 p.m. ET.