Why Do The Tarlys Matter?
The Tarlys will be a major player in the second half of this season for several reasons. First, Randyll Tarly is an excellent general and the Tarly army is known for its skill in battle. Margaery describes them as “House Tarly, who still gives the Reach the best soldiers it has. If Aegon had named them as his lords, the Reach would’ve become the greatest military camp in the world.” Based on the fourth episode of this season, the Tyrell army will be sent to King’s Landing to deal with the High Sparrow threat and Randyll Tarly may be leading them since Mace Tyrell is incompetent.
Dickon will probably seriously object to Gilly’s arrival. Randyll will be nominally polite and taciturn, much like Tywin Lannister, but Dickon will probably see Gilly’s arrival and Sam’s heroics as a potential threat to his succession to becoming the lord. Especially as Gilly describes Sam’s valiant efforts defending Castle Black from Wildlings and being one of only a handful of people to slay a White Walker.
Finally, the Tarly storyline will eventually lead to a standoff between Sam and his father. Their relationship seems parallel to Tywin and Tyrion’s relationship. Tywin rejected Tyrion and blamed him for Tywin’s wife’s death in childbirth. Tyrion tried to prove he was a worthy son to his father, but was never able to. This season could be building towards a similar dynamic between Sam and Randyll. Sam might ultimately have to confront his father in order to protect Gilly. Or, if it is truly a parallel between Lannisters, Sam might be looking to avenge Gilly.
This post was originally written by Patrick Dodd.
