Why do we bring all that up? Primarily because the television show arguably has one very obvious main character: Jon Snow. He's torn straight out of any fantasy novel of the last few decades. Handsome, adept with a sword, secretly born to royalty but given a pauper's upbringing so he has humility... it sure seems like Jon is guaranteed to be Azor Ahai, take the Iron Throne, and single-handedly drive back the Night's King.
But this is Game of Thrones, a show that's built a reputation out of being absolutely ruthless to characters. If the show and the books are telling a long-running story about the dangers of a ruling class and the petty game that the "high lords" play, well, the Hound is a pretty perfect character to become a man of the people. He's discovered morality, been a quasi-father, and seen firsthand how little most kings and queens care about their subjects. In short, he's been a man among the people, far more than Jon Snow, who almost immediately got promoted to leader of the Night's Watch. If the show's got some tricks up its sleeve heading into the final season, chances are you can expect the Hound to play a big role. After all, greatness can come from anywhere, any upbringing. Isn't that the metaphorical power of the King Arthur myth in the first place?
