The sun gizmo in ‘Game of Thrones’ opening appears in Sam’s library scene

Warning: Like most of Twitter, this post contains Game of Thrones Season 6 spoilers.

The Game of Thrones opening, besides containing that epically snazzy theme song, can also include important information about the episode itself. 

Namely, it tends to list the locations that will appear in the coming hour (in Winterfell's case, it even shows who currently owns it). But until the most recent episode, "The Winds of Winter," there wasn't any sign the sun gizmo that shines in the opening actually exists within the world of the show. But there is now.

And right now, it involves Samwell Tarly, Jon Snow's lovable sidekick played by John Bradley-West. Season 6 has seen Sam heading south to Oldtown to become a maester.

It isn't until the finale that Sam finally arrives at Oldtown's Citadel. When he leaves Gilly, his wildling girlfriend, in the lobby to check out the Citadel's library, he sees the bright, spinning sun-gizmo from the opening credits.

Here's the astrolabe that represents the sun in the opening of each episode, which is decorated with runes and images of the various houses, as well as the actual Game of Thrones title card:

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

And here's a wide shot of the fancy steampunk contraption hanging from the library ceiling. It also appears to have some vague symbols on the side, although presumably not the show's title card.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

And oddly enough, that's not the only similarity between the opening theme and Oldtown. Some strange effects show up in the opening, such as this "lens-switching" transition just after the Wall pan: 

Now like most discussions about Game of Thrones, this is just speculation, but what we see looks quite a bit like the magnifying goggles worn by the Citadel's snappy receptionist (played by Danish comedian Frank Hvam):

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Which raises the question of whether the entire story of Game of Thrones is just a flashback, a song of ice and fire being retold by a maester (perhaps Sam himself). Which means unless the White Walkers are actually really articulate, they're not telling the story and they're probably not the winners at the end.

In other words: "And that, kids, is how the Seven Kingdoms was won," said Jon Snow or Dany or Sansa or Cersei or Tyrion. Or maybe Sam?

[H/T: Mic]

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