In the Season 6 premiere of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” the big reveal comes at the end of the episode, when Melisandre the Red Woman reveals her true form to the audience. Instead of being a beautiful young woman, she’s actually an old crone — potentially centuries old.
The show pointedly shows us Melisandre removing her necklace — or glamour — before she deteriorates in age in front of a mirror. She is alone in the room, and there is no dialogue in the script, so the viewers are left to wonder what exactly it all means (other than knowing Melisandre is not as she appears).
The scene comes immediately after Davos and few brothers of the Night’s Watch loyal to Jon Snow brood over Jon’s lifeless body, wondering whether they will defend the body for honor or lay down their arms. Davos speaks of Melisandre right before we see her true form, and tells the Night’s Watch members that they haven’t seen what she’s capable of.
In other words, it seems like Melisandre — and maybe even Melisandre’s necklace — are still important to the ultimate fate of Jon Snow.
Theory: Melisandre’s necklace contains life power that will be used to resurrect Jon Snow
We’re swimming into unknown depths with some of these theories, but it’s possible that Melisandre’s necklace contains some sort of life power that will be used to bring back Jon Snow. Book readers know that glamours/amulets can be used on people to give them the appearance of someone else, but the TV show has differed from the books in enough places to open the door for other possibilities.
Is Melisandre actually physically younger when wearing the necklace? Does it somehow reduce her age, or give her life she otherwise wouldn’t have without it? If so, it’s possible she could transfer that live power to Jon Snow to resurrect him. Davos is probably thinking something along these lines.
If Melisandre’s necklace does include some sort of life power, it’s also possible that if she uses it to resurrect Jon Snow, it might mean that she dies. “Only death can pay for life” is a common refrain in the series, and Melisandre — if she truly believes Jon Snow to be some sort of savior or servant of the Lord of Light — might be willing to sacrifice herself so Jon Snow can live. Perhaps we saw her old form to indicate that she has very little real strength left, and that it will take all of her remaining effort to bring Jon Snow back.