And the meek shall inherit Westeros: How Game of Thrones celebrates reversals of fortune

SAMWELL TARLY 1.0: DISINHERITED POWDERPUFF

Although he’s the firstborn son of an ancient and respected House, Sam arrives at the Night’s Watch in an unfortunate condition. His father, Randyll Tarly, has tossed him out of the family under threat of death, stripping Sam of his rightful inheritance and condemning his meek, bookish son to a lifetime on the far side of the continent. It’s really still a death sentence, since Randyll knows that the physically underpowered Sam won’t last long in the harsh North among the kind of men who join the Night’s Watch nowadays.

SAMWELL TARLY 2.0: ACHIEVING WIZARD STATUS

Thanks to the friendship and protection of Jon Snow, Ghost and other Night’s Watch friends, Sam survives his early days in the North. Always studying, Sam learns more and more about the White Walkers and how to defeat them. Although still hopeless in battle, he finds inner strength after meeting Gilly and her son, and ends up killing both a White Walker and a Thenn.

Sam will never find true acceptance from his father, but he shows backbone during a family visit when he swipes the Valyrian sword that is rightfully his property. He’s now looking to train to become a maester. The enormity of the Citadel library in Old Town strongly suggests he will discover knowledge essential to the ultimate defeat of the White Walkers and the salvation of Westeros.

Next: Free at Heart