Matching 50 Game of Thrones characters with each of the 50 states

Michigan: The Blackfish

Ser Brynden Tully, known popularly as the Blackfish, hales from Riverrun. He cares deeply about his ancestral home.

After the gruesome disaster at the Red Wedding, the Blackfish snuck away from the chaos and returned to reclaim his home, which he held while his nephew Edmure was a captive of the Freys. He did not want to relinquish his home to enemies under any circumstances, and is appalled when Edmure returned, nor cooperating with the Lannisters, albeit under great duress. The Blackfish literally gives his life fighting to protect Riverrun.

With such strong convictions about House and home, I think it’s natural to pair the Blackfish with a state like Michigan. Much like the Riverlands, Michigan is known for its relationship with water. In fact, it is the only state to touch four of the five Great Lakes. It’s literally nicknamed the Great Lake State for just this reason.

The Blackfish also seems to share an outlook on life in common with people from Michigan. The people in this state are known for having a hard-working, get-your-hands-dirty attitude, which is what separates Brynden from other people in his family, like his brother Hoster and nephew Edmure.

Ser Brynden might be a knight, but this Blackfish doesn’t put on airs. He’d be right at home on the shore of a Great Lake.