re: Crackpot ASOIAF Theories SPOILERS

He wanted Dany murdered but then notified Jorah to stop the assassin, right?

I think that Viserys and Dany were always his 'backup plan' and never a part of his Faegon plan; I think he just wanted the Dothraki horde with Dany and Viserys to go to Westeros during the war and *maybe* once Drogo died to get Dany to marry Faegon, but for her to never supersede him in power of course (plus Dany marrying Faegon would provide some legitimacy to his claim that he wasn't a fake)...and I think that Illyrio wanted Viserys to stay with him in Pentos and not go off with the Dothraki (where he died). Although, I think the only wrench it threw into the plans was how he was secretly betrothed to Arianne Martell.

But I'm curious to see if all these years of plans with Illyrio, Varys, and even Doran are going to play out to their liking. I think that Faegon would be a good "Summer King", but can he really handle the Long Night ahead?

I also support the Crackpot theory that Varys paid for Gendry's smith apprenticeship in case his backup plan with Faegon didn't work--legitimize him, say that he can relate to the commoners/peasants, he was an apprentice (educated in a trade/skill), and Ned and Jon Arryn saw that the boy was Robert reincarnate (and Brienne thought he was Renly's clone). Plus, I think Varys wanted Faegon to be well educated, but to also associate with commoners and have a humble upbringing; he wouldn't be entitled like the other Targs and would be loved. I think the same can be applied to Gendry: very humble beginnings, but he would know how to take care of the commonfolk in hard times.

Back to Gendry: Ned said "If the day comes when that boy decides to wield a sword instead of forge one, come find me." So Gendry would possibly have the same battle acumen as his father (it's in the blood/genes). Plus I've also thought that Robert saying "I have a son, you have a daughter, let's join our houses" is going to foreshadow either Sansa or Arya marrying Gendry.

Hence why I think Jon Snow would be an excellent king; Winter is coming and his is the song of ice and fire. Jon was a bastard, albeit well educated and raised within a Great House. However, he knows what it feels like to be an outsider, unlike his cousin Robb (who was to inherit Winterfell). Plus, I also think that fans think he's exactly like Ned, but that's only surface level. To me, Jon's maneuvering and political machinations and doing what he can to survive reflects his Targ heritage/similar to his Aunt Dany. I think Jon has a great set of skills to be a leader, and will do what is asked of him. He wanted no part in being Lord Commander, but his brothers (and with Sam's help) wanted him to be. He didn't want to exactly join the Wildlings, but Qhorin urged him to follow his orders and to do as he is ordered to to find out why they are all fleeing south from the true enemy. And I think that Jon really grew to understand the Wildlings (and their culture) and realize that he as a Northerner isn't all that much different from a Wildling (same religious beliefs, similar cultures, etc.). Plus he joined Alys Karstark to Sigorn Thenn, which I doubt is something that Ned or Robb would've done (Ned probably wouldn't have taken too kindly to a Wildling taking over Karhold). And to be honest, I seriously think that Jon 'stealing' Val (which has kind of inadvertently happened already) is going to come to frutition in TWoW. And if people ask him to head south (away from where he was betrayed), I think he'll do just that. Martin 'killing' Jon allows him to somewhat honorably leave the Watch and take care of matters.