Daniel Portman reveals the fate of everyman from 'Game of Thrones' series finale
Ahead of his appearance at the Armageddon Expo - which is to be held from October, 19-22 in New Zealand - Daniel Portman admitted to the New Zealand Herald that he believes it is the ‘everyman’ who has better chances of survival in the hostile world of HBO’s TV series 'Game of Thrones', an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novel series, 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (the first book of which is A Game of Thrones).
Portman refers to his character, Podrick Payne- the man who has served Tyrion Lannister and Brienne of Tarth- as the ‘everyman’ who has survived for all the six seasons, while more powerful characters such as Eddard Stark, Khal Drogo could barely make it past the first season.
Martin has been ruthless about killing off characters, staying true to the High Valyrian saying, ‘valar morghulis’ (which means ‘all men must die’). However, it is the ordinary characters who have not only survived through the battlefields and the internal conspiracies of the empire, but have actually given a very different dimension to this otherwise fantasy adaptation of the 15th century War of the Roses (a series of civil war which were fought during 1455-85 between the House of Lancaster and York for the English throne). Characters like Podrick, Sam and Gilly in a way showcase the ordinary man’s plight in a kingdom torn by war.
As Portman has commented, probably in a show where violence is the call of the day, and old men are slaughtered for game, ordinary characters actually bring about a balance in the show. While Brienne of Tarth is a woman who is desperately fighting against the social stigma of gender role, Podrick’s presence in her life is probably a way to put her leadership skills under the limelight.
She teaches Podrick valuable lessons that she holds as her moral ethics and also trains him in warfare so that he can protect himself. Podrick, like the faithful ordinary pupil, follows her just as he is told to.
Although Samwell Tarly (or Sam), unlike his other high born companions, is not a good swordsman or not very sharp, his innocence and consistent loyalty to his friend Jon Snow puts him aside as the so-called "sidekick" instead of just another royal blood raging a war for the throne.
The brain-over-brawn Night's Watch, who has no inclination for violence is an absolute misfit among the men who stand guard at the wall, where most men are cold-blooded assassins.
However, it is evident that Sam is not a coward, but a man who is ready to rob the enemy’s abode if needed. He rescues Gilly, one of the Free Folk and one of the wives-cum-daughters of Craster. Sam is probably the only one who has an answer to the threat which is now imposed by the Night King.
Amidst all the characters who have the potential to sit on the royal thrones or have some distant relation with the royal blood, it is the average, unimpressive character who survives in the battlefield of the 'Game of Thrones'.