game of thrones - What was the relevance of Jon Snow's true identity?

...in light of how the last episode unfolded, that is.

We were presented this information as though it was a huge game-changer for the whole plot and how it'd unfold. Characters start picking sides and all... and then:

1. we're not sure whether or not Varys's ravens reached anyone or if anyone know about Jon's identity (see this other question).


2. Jon's ancestry is not even brought up in the last episode's Great Council as a factor that'd make him a possible contender to take the throne, despite there being (at least?) five people there who knew about it.


3. Jon's actions on the last episode are supposedly driven by "duty," which, plot-wise, should culminate in him sitting in the throne, regardless of his wishes.

So I'm wondering if there's an out-of-universe explanation for this even being relevant, given that it feels like a waste of a huge reveal, leading the viewers to a dead-end. Was it all just a move from the writers to appease the fans' long-standing theory that his identity would be that which it was revealed to be in the show?

What am I missing?