The North remembers these Game of Thrones characters, and so should you…
Look, the show simply wouldn’t be where it is today without the Jon Snows, Daenerys Targaryens and Tyrion Lannisters of the world. They’re the Game of Thrones characters that people talk about the most, and deservedly get much of the credit for the show’s continued success.
What of the rest? Plenty of great Game of Thrones characters have come and gone with next to no fanfare.
It’s only right that we pay tribute to those who deserve it.
Salladhor Saan (aka funny pirate lad)
Yes, this is the level of obscurity we’re going for with this. Apart from a few one-liners and the odd appearance in a brothel, we didn’t see very much of the legendary pirate.
We’d like to think that he could have played a much bigger role if he stuck around with Davos Seaworth. We never really find out what happened to him, and it seems unlikely for him to be sprung off the bench in season eight.
Yoren
Syrio Forel, The Hound and Brienne are often credited with turning Arya Stark into the killing machine she is today (bless her). That said, it was Yoren of the Night’s Watch who protected her in King’s Landing, helped her pretend to be a boy (first time she tried to become someone else), and gave his life to protect Gendry.
He was also the man who gave Arya the idea for her iconic list of people she wants to murder. If there is a better gift to give an impressionable young child with a sword, we’re yet to hear it.
Meera Reed
Meera quite literally did not get the credit she deserved when telling Bran that she was going home. We know he’s turning into Professor X and everything, but surely a “thank you” wouldn’t go amiss?
Despite her small frame, she managed to pull Bran Stark on a sled from the Three Eyed Raven’s cave right down to Castle Black by herself. She didn’t have the assurance of being able to see the kind of visions that Jojen and Bran could, but her loyalty to the two of them was enough to keep her going.
It’s also worth mentioning that she is one of the very few people to have killed a white walker. Let it be said that Meera Reed is a certified legend.
Brynden “Blackfish” Tully
The return of the Blackfish in season six was far too short. Clive Russell is a fantastic actor and did a great job with the character, but he’s another that could have done with more screen time.
It would have been interesting to see what kind of service he could have been for Sansa and Jon. Some of his quotes were on a par with the Hound;
“I’ve seen wet shits I like better than Walder Frey.”
Ser Pounce
Let’s just get this straight; Ser Pounce deserved better, and he deserved more. We never even got to hear his back story, let alone see enough of him to fully appreciate the First Feline of Westeros.
How did he evade the clutches of Joffrey? How did he become a “ser” in such a cruel world?
Seeing as it looks as if he didn’t make it, these are questions that will most likely remain unanswered.
Mace Tyrell
I’m just going to say it; Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace Tyrell was the single best casting choice of this entire show.
His pompous walk, his spontaneous bursting into song, and his cringe-worthy speech before marching on the Sparrows in season six are all absolute gold. As well as that, his attempts to “fit-in” at the Small Council meetings were some of the most awkwardly hilarious moments in the show.
He didn’t need to get burnt to a crisp in the Sept of Baelor, he wasn’t a threat to anyone.
The Sand Snakes
I’ll fight any man who says the Sand Snakes don’t deserve more credit.
Nothing like some absolutely shite characters to make you appreciate the good ones. Fair play to them.
I’m also counting them as one collective character rather than adding each individual to the list. I like to think we’re following Lady Olenna’s example in that regard.
Who knows, maybe whoever sits on the Iron Throne will do an Oscars-like speech about the Game of Thrones characters who played a role in how it all panned out.
One can only hope…
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
