"We're getting the band back together, Ser Davos!" Topic

> Why did Randall figure it mattered that they switch sides again?

My guess is that it will free up Sam to take over the house.

> Why did Randall figure it mattered that they switch sides again?

Yup, plot device

I would say he cannot since he is in the Nightswatch for life, but I'm guessing whatever happens the Nightswatch isn't going to be around much longer.

If Sam tries to become head of House Tarly, it will be a straightforward violation of his vows, and he will be considered a deserter.
He can also father no children, but like a high school boy in theology class, he is rather flexible in that sex thing.

One thing to consider is that when Sam left the Citadel after looting the library, he was in Night's Watch gear.

Since Oldtown is on the southern coast of Westeros, near Dorne, it should take him about half an episode, using the Baelish-Varys Superhighway, to get to Castle Black. Maybe he can stop at Winterfell along the way.
"Hi Jon. Want another Valyrian steel sword?
What's that you say, Bran?"

Maybe we can have a whole scene where everyone who knows one thing can get together. "The Seven Hells you say! Why that makes Jon…."

Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.

The key here is "It shall not end until my death."
Jon was dead for almost 10 months, irritated viewer time, but only a few hours on the show. As in REAL DEAD.
Sam has not had that advantage. Non book "canonical sources" say that a Sworn Brother can be released by the King, a full meeting of members, the Council of Ephesus, etc.
There is always a cadet branch of the family somewhere, and Great houses have died out before.
If Sam stops for more than a hot meal at Horn Hill on his way back to Castle Black, he can be considered a deserter. I sure hope Jon gave him Casablanca type traveling papers.

From link

Sam's sister is bethrothed to Symun Fossaway. She's not to thrilled, but the house will carry on.
Half the internet seems to think that like Sam Gamgee, Samwell Tarly is the one who will finish the book. I think he will do it as a Maester Emeritus, either at Castle Black or the Citadel. Of course there's the small matter of stealing all those books from the library and dropping out in the first semester. Honestly, I doubt the books will be missed.
Sam thinks too much of his vows (except that celibacy business) to write A Song of Ice and Fire as a semi retired Lord of Horn Hill.

The following conversation will be interesting.
"Hey, Aunt Danaerys. I'm legitimate! Your brother married my mom! And my real name is Jahaerys Targaryean, not Jon Snow!"
"Really? Dracarys!"

Well… no Dracarys if Jon is a Targaryan… Drogon didn't accepted that!… (smile).

My vote goes more for:

"Hey, Aunt Danaerys. I'm legitimate! Your brother married my mom! And my real name is Jahaerys Targaryean, not Jon Snow!… and by the way… I think you are beautifull and hot and I'm going to kiss you know!…

"Really? Internal Dracarys for me… since I saw you in the beach!….

Amicalement
Armand

That works for me.
However, if as I suspect, she is power mad and will not accept anyone with a more legitimate claim, all bets are off.
She might have accepted *cough cough* King in the North for Jon, but not a rival with a better claim.

All we know for sure is that Lyanna Stark is Jon's mother.

We do not know just who the father is.

We can assume that Rhaegar might have married her in secret.

We also know that Ned would have kept things secret if his sister told him to do so.

Sometime in the next 1-2 shows we might know more.

True, but the evidence against Jon not being Rhaegar's son is starting to look pretty flimsy, it takes a fair bit of twisted logic for him not to be at this point.

We know his mother is Lyanna.

We know Rhaegar ran off with Lyanna, which was part of the spark that caused Robert's rebellion.

We know Rhaegar left two of his best Kingsguard with her instead of keeping them with him….probably costing both him, his first wife and children their lives.

We know Rhaegar secretly annulled his first marriage and married some else at the time he was known to be with a pregnant Lyanna.

We know Eddard was willing to stain his honour by claiming a bastard child that wasn't his……which now makes sense since Targaryen children were being murdered at the time. A promise to protect Jon by hiding his identity makes sense rather than a promise to claim him as a bastard, give him a pretty unhappy childhood and send him off to die at the wall as soon as he was old enough.

For now Sam is a loyal Nightwatchman but he may not know the fate of his father and brother. As to his vows they can be annulled by act of King and Lord Commander of the Night Watch. How? They just say it – who can say different?

It would be very Martin like (and through him D&D) to have Sam come full cycle and become Lord Tarley (a male heir would take precedent).

I would have rather have had Dickon see the light (well another light) and taken over to restore house honor -but if anyone can restore honor its Sam. A great character and a credit to Martin to give us such an unusual hero.

I gave my son a T-shirt with the Night Watch vows on it. But now his watch had ended. (Alternative: Sam eventually becomes Night Watch Master and the "official" historian of the Song of Ice and Fire – a nod to the first Sam.)

TomT

I think Maesters have similar vows to the Watch, but Sam dropped out in the first semester, without even a Tenderfoot badge.

John… what's your opinion about Sansa…?

Belovedl and faithful sister… or an ambitious without limits?….

Amicalement
Armand

Easily manipulated, even or especially since she thinks she sees through Littlefinger.

So John does bend the knee, well he would if he could physically move at this point, but we have a Northern/Targaryan Alliance…..is it just me or did Dany think for a moment that he was proposing when he said "be my queen".

Get a room you two.
Oh wait. Jon does have a cabin.