Game Of Thrones: 5 Times We Felt Bad For Samwell Tarly (& 5 Times We Hated Him)

Samwell Tarly may be one of the less divisive characters of the series, however, while garnering an abundance of sympathy, he has also made some less favorable moves. Samwell Tarly could well be one of the least morally ambiguous characters throughout Game of Thrones. As Jon Snow’s shy and defenseless best friend, Sam is one person who truly seems to care for the greater good. If not for Jon taking him under his wing, Sam may well have never survived many of the events of the series, yet he somehow maintains his independence and likability, for the most part.

From his pitiful family life to his eventual importance to the survival of mankind, Sam won the hearts of many viewers and characters alike, while also making some mistakes along the way.

10 Felt Bad: Arrival At Castle Black

Samwell Tarly is first introduced as he arrives at Castle Black. His arrival instantly piques the curiosity of the brothers of the Night’s Watch, and they do not hesitate to taunt him for his appearance. Having barely had the chance to introduce himself, Sam is challenged to demonstrate his combat skills.

In a matter of seconds, Sam is on the ground in surrender, having not even attempted to defend himself. Luckily for Sam, Jon Snow quickly intervenes and comes to Sam’s aide. Jon defeats the others, and puts an end to it all, as Sam watches on helplessly.

9 Hated: Survives The Army Of The Dead With No Effort

When Sam is north of the Wall with the Night’s Watch, he finds himself alone with Edd and Grenn as the horn is blown three times to warn of approaching White Walkers. Grenn and Edd flee without hesitation, leaving Sam stranded – knowing that he cannot keep up with them, Sam opts to stay behind and meet his fate.

As the army approaches, Sam runs to hide behind a rock. He then remains behind this rock as the army surrounds him, and the leading White Walker stares him directly in the eye. Somehow, Sam survives this unscathed, and with no real effort.

8 Felt Bad: Sam Opens Up To Jon

After Jon defends Sam, it doesn’t take long for Sam to open up to him. Sam is ordered to accompany Jon in keeping watch atop one of the towers, despite his fear of heights. He uses this opportunity to explain to Jon his reason for becoming a brother of the Night’s watch.

Sam recounts how on his eighteenth name day, his father – Lord Randyll Tarly – announced that he would never accept Sam as his heir. Randyll threatened to hunt Sam down and kill him, unless he went north and took the Black, sacrificing any claim to the Tarly name.

7 Hated: Gilly Discovers Rhaegar’s Annulment

Increasingly discontented with his position at the Citadel, Sam is annoyed and distracted, while Gilly innocently reads from the records. Unknowingly, Gilly stumbles across High Septon Maynard’s account of Prince Rhaegar’s marriage annulment.

Sam is caught up in his own thoughts and lashes out at Gilly about the insignificance of such accounts, and the work of the Septon in general. Not only is Sam uncharacteristically rude to Gilly, but he has also dismissed a piece of information that will become quite significant to him.

6 Felt Bad: Return To Craster’s Keep

As the Night’s Watch returns to Craster’s keep after their journey North, Sam is instantly singled out by Craster as a target. Comparing Sam to a pig, Craster suggests that the brothers dine on him, and deems him a “walking feast”.

As usual, Sam remains silent in the face of these insults and fails to defend himself. He does, however, take it upon himself to stand up and leave the room, opting to tend to Gilly, whose birthing cries have been ringing out the whole time.

5 Hated: Sam Fails To Stand Up For Gilly

Unsurprisingly, when Sam and Gilly arrive at Horn Hill and dine with the Tarly family, the atmosphere turns sour quite quickly. Randyll Tarly discovers that Gilly is in fact a Wildling, and proceeds to insult both her and Sam. Sam retreats further into himself as this progresses, and fails to speak up in defense of Gilly, and of himself.

Sam remains completely mute as his mother steps in and invites Gilly to leave the room with her, saving the girl from her husband’s disdain.

4 Felt Bad: Menial Tasks At The Citadel

Sam is on his way to becoming a Maester and fulfilling his role at the Citadel. Having finally arrived at the place where he can truly excel, Sam is clearly disappointed at where this step has taken him.

Sam must spend his days carrying out a number of menial tasks including, but not limited to, emptying and scrubbing bedpans, and serving meals. Meanwhile, he is shunned from enjoying any of the perks of the Citadel and even engaging with the present Maesters. Sam is faring no better at the Citadel than he was at Castle Black.

3 Hated: Sam Takes Credit For Gilly’s Discovery

Bran Stark and Samwell meet back at Winterfell after Bran has partly discovered the truth about Jon Snow’s identity. In an intimate conversation between the two, Bran reveals Jon’s true parentage to Sam, and that he is in fact a Sand and not a Snow.

Sam then conveniently remembers what Gilly read to him back at the Citadel, and pieces this information together. Sam proudly claims that while transcribing a High Septon’s diary, he discovered that Rhaegar’s marriage was annulled – giving no credit to Gilly. Sam explains that this means that Jon is in fact a Targaryen and the true heir to the Iron Throne.

2 Felt Bad: The Archmaesters Don’t Believe Him

While still at the Citadel, Sam stumbles into a room as the Archmaesters are discussing a letter they have received from Brandon Stark – warning them of the Army of the Dead. Sam, overhearing this, butts in to confirm the authenticity of Bran’s claim.

Sam announces that he himself can vouch for Bran’s word, as he knows the boy, and has himself encountered White Walkers firsthand.  The Archmaesters dismiss Sam and laugh at him, refusing to take him seriously or heed his advice, maintaining that these are fantastical claims.

1 Hated: Edd Dies Saving Sam

If nothing else, Sam is very much aware of his shortcoming in terms of combat and is a self-proclaimed passivist. At the Battle of Winterfell Sam cleverly decides to opt-out of the fighting, only to change his mind at the last minute.

Sam enters the battle and almost instantly gets himself into trouble, as he is attacked by a Wight. Once again, Sam is saved by another as Eddison Tollett comes to his rescue, only to take a sword to the back in the process. Not only did Sam carelessly enter a batter that he was unprepared for, but in doing so he inadvertently killed Edd, a fellow brother of the Night’s Watch.

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