The 50 Best Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked
10. Samwell Tarly
Samwell is a stand-up guy and one of the sweetest spirits in Westeros. Rejected by his bigoted father, he is sent to the Night’s Watch in order to become a man. But clearly, Sam’s no fighter. He doesn’t need to be. He’s full of wit and wisdom, qualities that’ll make him a great maester in the future.
The Black Brothers targeted Sam for ridicule early on, but he proved time and time again there was more to him than met the eye. He has no problem dispatching and attacking Thenns during the Battle of Castle Black, and while beyond the Wall he became the first person to kill a White Walker in centuries.
Sam’s strained relationship with his father didn’t stop him from becoming a fine father to Gilly’s son (also named Sam). He becomes a protector for Gilly and Little Sam, standing his ground in a way his father never expected. On top of that, John Bradley-West is an endearing actor who’s made the role his own. Here’s hoping Sam fulfills his wish of becoming the best maester the Night’s Watch has ever seen.