In 2015, it was reported that A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin, the fantasy novels that began with “A Game of Thrones” in 1995, had sold 60 million copies worldwide.  Then came the HBO series.  “Game of Thrones,” HBO’s wildly popular series based on the “A Song of Ice and Fire” epic novels, chose its title from the first book in the series.  Proof positive that the world was reading and watching.

And in the first chapter of “A Game of Thrones” we meet Jon Snow.

We learn that Jon Snow is the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark.  And in his first sentence, we learn of his kindness and sense of responsibility to his brother, Bran, as their father was about to kill a deserter from the Night’s Watch.  ” ‘Keep the pony well in hand,’ he whispered.  ‘And don’t look away.  Father will know if you do.’ ”

So starts our obsession with Jon Snow.  He was my favorite character from this sentence on.

What attracts me to him is probably what attracts everyone.  The brooding bastard who was accepted by his half-brothers Robb and Bran, adored by his half-sister Arya, insulted by his father’s ward Theon and half-sister Sansa and treated with cold disdain by Lord Stark’s wife.  And his bond with his direwolf, Ghost.

We find, as the series continues, that he has a strong sense of duty and a desire to find a niche for himself in their world.  And that comes in the form of the Night’s Watch.  In joining the Night’s Watch, the band of brothers who guard the Wall against the wildlings and the Others who live north of the Wall, all men are accepted without regard to their status.  When you join, you leave your past behind you.

In 2011, HBO brought us the series “Game of Thrones” and the actor Kit Harington.

Men want to be like him and women either want to sleep with him or be his mother.

Jon Snow embodies honor, duty, responsibility and humility.  He commands respect and, as most people in that position, has enemies.  He has a star-crossed love affair with Ygritte, a wildling girl, showing a vulnerability that people can relate to.  Jon Snow is an honorable character in a series of dishonorable characters.  He fights without equal for those he loves and for what is right and just.

This role is played to perfection by Kit Harington.  This is why we are obsessed with Jon Snow.