Few shows have brought fantasy to the mainstream as effectively as Game of Thrones. This is a series that had dragons, shadow babies, and giants yet managed to be the most popular show on television with just about all audiences. However, one fantasy element fans wish got more attention were the direwolves.

The direwolves might look like regular wolves but they grow to enormous sizes and can be quite ferocious. They also attach themselves to the Stark children as their loyal companions. Though important in the books, the show seemed to grow tired of the direwolves and began killing them off or just ignoring them. However, there were still plenty of amazing moments with these furry beasts.

10 Finding The Pups

It doesn’t take long for the direwolves to show up in the series and it’s quite clear from the beginning that they are significant. While outside of Winterfell, Ned Stark and the Stark boys come across a dead direwolf mother.

They soon find her young pups who Ned points out are too small to fend for themselves. While Ned thinks they should be killed out of mercy, Jon Snow points out that they are the symbol of House Stark and there is one for each of the Stark children.

9 Nymeria Protects Arya

It may have only been a coincidence that there were enough direwolf pups for the Stark children, but these animals prove they have a unique attachment to the children as well. They also seem to be a pretty good judge of character.

After Joffrey threatens Arya’s friend, she strikes the spoiled prince. He responds by coming at her with his sword, but Arya’s direwolf Nymeria bites him causing Joffrey to lose his sword and whine like a baby.

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8 Ned Executes Lady

After the attack on Joffrey, the tensions between the Starks and Lannisters deepens. Robert Baratheon tries to calm the situation, but Cersei demands vengeance for the attack. Since Nymeria ran away, she wants Sansa’s direwolf Lady to be executed instead.

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Ned is angered by Robert’s decision but nobly insists on doing it himself. It is a heartbreaking moment that foreshadows the fact that far from the North, the Stark’s are in danger.

7 Grey Wind Objects To Greatjon Umber

After Ned Stark is captured, Robb Stark calls the Northern houses to join his march against the Lannisters. Robb is a strong young man but some of the other lords don’t like the idea of answering to a young boy.

One of the most vocal lords is Greatjon Umber who insists on leading the army. Robb puts him in his place and when Umber threatens Robb, his direwolf Grey Wind bites a few of his fingers off. Umber takes it in stride and even laughs about the maiming.

6 Grey Wind Threatens Jaime

Once Ned Stark is executed, Robb is named King in the North. He also proves himself to be a skilled military leader, even managing to capture Jaime Lannister. In order to keep an eye on the prized prisoner, Robb takes Jaime along with him as they travel.

Despite being locked in a cage, Jaime still talks down to Robb, insulting him and calling him a boy. However, the usually talkative Jaime shuts up quickly when Robb lets Grey Wind into the cage and reminds him who is in charge.

5 Ghost Charges Into Battle

After the other direwolf’s began dropping like flies in pretty anti-climactic deaths, Ghost managed to survive ordeal after ordeal. Though he wasn’t around a lot, he did make a solid appearance during the Battle of the Long Night.

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The battle starts as the Dothraki charge into battle. They are joined by Jorah Mormont and charging in right alongside him is Ghost. It is an epic image of this great beast ready for war.

4 Ghost Protects Sam

Sometimes the direwolfs act as protectors of the Stark children, and sometimes they seem to be an extension of the Stark’s themselves. Ghost takes on this duty when Jon is away from Castle Black and his friends are vulnerable.

Sam and Gilly find themselves targeted by some of the more brutal members of the Night’s Watch. Sam isn’t much of a fighter but refuses to back down. Just as the men decide to finish him off for good Ghost steps out of the shadows and sends them running with just his stare.

3 Ghost Takes Revenge On Rast

When Jon is Beyond the Wall with the rest of the Night’s Watch, Ghost goes missing for a while. The next time we see him, he is being held in a cage by the Night’s Watch mutineers at Craster’s Keep and is taunted by one of the men named Rast.

Eventually, Jon and his men attack the mutineers. Rast manages to escape the battle but as he is making a run for it, he sees that Ghost’s cage is empty. Ghost then attacks, getting his revenge, before reuniting with Jon.

2 Nymeria Returns

After she attacked Joffrey, Arya tries to protect Nymeria by sending her away. It is not until Season 7 of the show that Nymeria finally makes her long-awaited return.

As Arya makes her way to Winterfell after so long, she finds herself surrounded by wolves, led by a massive direwolf. She suddenly realizes it is her old pet and Nymeria seems to recognize her as well. Arya tells Nymeria she can come back to Winterfell with her. When Nymeria chooses to leave, Arya realizes that, like Arya herself, Nymeria was meant to be free.

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1 Summer Kills The Assassin

At first, the direwolves seemed like cute and fluffy friends for the Stark children to play with. It was Bran’s direwolf summer that showed they are also loyal and powerful guardians of these children as well.

After Bran falls from the tower, Catelyn finds her nights looking after him. One night, an assassin comes in to finish him off. Catelyn tries to fight him off but when the assassin overpowers her, Summer attacks and tears the man’s throat out before sitting protectively beside Bran.

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About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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