Video: Sam takes a big step forward in his studies

This season, Sam has gained a reputation for featuring disgusting scenes. First there was that chamberpot-cleaning montage, and then the bit where he scrapes greyscale off Jorah Mormont. This tradition continued tonight, metaphorically speaking…

Because in “Eastwatch,” Sam went up against something far more insidious than poop: bureaucratic inertia. It started when he overheard a council of archmaesters discussing a letter from Winterfell — Bran was letting every corner of the realm know that the army of the dead was marching on Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Naturally, he did what he could to convince the archmaesters of its authenticity, assuming they would do everything they could to prevent this latest threat against mankind.

But it didn’t happen like that. The archmaesters talked themselves out of action, and Sam, fed up, decided that his talents could be put to better use elsewhere and left the Citadel along with Gilly and Baby Sam.

Where is Sam headed now? Smart money has him returning to the North so he can get hands-on in the fight against the White Walkers. Thanks to Gilly, Sam also now knows that Rhaegar Targaryen married Lyanna Stark, although that information seems to have gone over his head for the moment. We (and Bran) know that Rhaegar and Lyanna are actually Jon Snow’s parents, and if they were married before he was born, it means that not only is Jon not a bastard, but he’s actually the true heir to the Targaryen dynasty! Oh, the possibilities…

Next: Small Council: What did we think of “The Spoils of War?”

To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels.