The 50 Best Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked
23. Podrick Payne
Everything about Pod is odd. He was sent to be Tyrion’s squire as punishment for stealing a ham, he never learned how to light a fire, and he has a mysterious sexual magnetism that drives prostitutes wild. What’s Pod’s deal?
For one, he’s loyal. And two, he’s willing and eager to learn. This makes him more than qualified to help Tyrion, and later to help Lady Brienne. Actor Daniel Portman gives us a somewhat bumbling knight-in-training who’s equipped with a set of steel balls. He may be shy, but Podrick still slammed a spear through the back of Ser Mandon Moore’s skull when the Kingsguard knight threatened his master. That bravery isn’t lost on Tyrion or Lady Brienne, no matter how many rabbits Pod burns.
Pod has a surprisingly large number of powerful friends, so we have hope he’ll survive whatever dangers come his way. And according to TVTropes, Pod’s Sex God status has earned him the online nickname “Tri-Pod.” What did he do to make the ladies of the night refuse his money? He probably paid very close attention to their needs instead over his own. Hint hint, Tyrion and Bronn.