Why did the White Walkers let Samwell live?

Table of Contents

"Game of Thrones, a series that held millions spellbound with its intricate plots, vast character arcs, and an abundance of unsolved mysteries, left fans with numerous questions even after its grand finale. Among these unanswered enigmas is the curious incident of the spared crow. In the frost-bitten landscapes beyond the Wall in Season 2, the seemingly merciless White Walkers chose to spare the life of Samwell Tarly, a character known more for his intelligence than his prowess in battle. This bewildering act of clemency continues to fuel fervent debates and fan theories across the globe. In this article, we'll dive deep into this frozen conundrum, exploring possible reasons why the White Walker, astride his monstrous steed, locked eyes with Samwell Tarly, the gentle and somewhat hapless scholar of the Night's Watch, and then chose to leave him unharmed amidst the snow and chaos of the Great Ranging."

Possibility 1: Seen as Non-Threatening

It's reasonable to speculate that Samwell Tarly, an unlikely warrior lacking in physical prowess and combat skills, was viewed as a non-threat by the White Walker. This could explain why he was spared when he fell behind in the blizzard. A key facet of Sam's character is his intellectual strength and empathetic nature, which starkly contrasts with the hardened, battle-tested warriors who traditionally comprise the Night's Watch. He is an anomaly in a world where strength is equated with might and bravery is measured by martial prowess. This depiction aligns with the idea that the White Walker might have seen him as harmless and inconsequential in the larger scheme of their invasion.

On the other hand, this theory assumes that White Walkers evaluate threats in the same way humans do, which we have no concrete evidence of. The Walkers, having demonstrated supernatural strength and resilience, might not differentiate between human opponents based on physical prowess. Furthermore, they typically showed no mercy, even to those who posed little threat, as demonstrated by their onslaught on non-combatant wildlings and other vulnerable populations.

Possibility 2: Inadvertent Mercy

Another plausible theory is that the White Walker might have inadvertently overlooked Sam in the chaos of the blizzard and the march. Given the harsh conditions and the immense size of the Walker's army, it is feasible that Sam, who had fallen behind and was separated from his comrades, was simply unnoticed in the confusion. The Walker's screech might have been a general signal to advance rather than a conscious decision to spare Sam.

However, in the episode, the White Walker appears to make direct eye contact with Sam, implying awareness of his presence. It raises the question of why the Walker would choose to ignore a human in close proximity, especially when we've seen Walkers exhibit precision and deliberate action in other scenarios. Furthermore, it assumes that the Walkers, who display otherworldly abilities, could be hindered by the same environmental conditions that affect humans, which isn't definitively known.

Possibility 3: Bait or Message

The White Walkers could have deliberately spared Sam to serve as a message or bait for the Night's Watch. Given the strategic and calculated actions the Walkers have shown in their campaign, this notion is not without merit. The trauma of witnessing the Walker's army and the impending doom could serve to incite panic among the Night's Watch, fracturing their morale and making them easier targets.

Contrarily, this theory assumes a level of psychological warfare and manipulation that the White Walkers haven't explicitly exhibited in other scenarios. The Walkers generally employ direct, overwhelming force rather than nuanced stratagems to achieve their objectives. Moreover, the bait theory suggests that the Walkers have an understanding of human fear and psychological responses, which, given their inhuman nature, cannot be conclusively confirmed.

Possibility 4: Connection with Dragonglass

Sam's discovery of Dragonglass, a substance capable of killing White Walkers, could have inadvertently influenced the decision to spare his life. The Walkers might have detected an energy or aura associated with the Dragonglass, inducing them to leave Sam unharmed. As beings of magic and ancient origin, it's plausible that they're sensitive to mystical elements within their environment.

However, there is no concrete evidence in the series that indicates White Walkers can sense the presence of Dragonglass or that they would react to it by sparing someone's life. On the contrary, they've demonstrated hostility towards those armed with it, which counters this theory.

Possibility 5: Fascination with Love

Given that White Walkers were once human, the theory that they might retain residual human sentiments is intriguing. Watching Sam's genuine love for Gilly might have sparked a form of fascination or curiosity within the White Walker, inducing it to spare Sam. This hypothesis suggests a complex depth to the Walkers' psyche, offering them a more nuanced characterization beyond their portrayal as relentless killers.

Despite its appeal, this theory largely hinges on the assumption that White Walkers retained aspects of their former human emotions, an idea neither the books nor the series definitively support. Moreover, this incident would be an isolated case of such a reaction, making it a rather inconsistent aspect of the Walkers' behavior, which is generally characterized by cold indifference or aggression towards humans.

Possibility 6: Prophetic Significance

The idea of prophetic foresight isn't foreign to the world of Game of Thrones, so it's conceivable that the White Walkers, possessing their own form of prophecy or foresight, saw a future where Sam played an essential role and chose to spare him. This suggests a depth of mysticism and foresight beyond what's immediately apparent about the Walkers.

However, this theory could be criticized for being overly speculative. While prophecies exist in the series, they're mostly associated with human characters and religions. There's no explicit evidence to suggest that White Walkers share this prophetic ability or that they base their actions on future predictions. If they did possess such foresight, it might raise questions about their strategic decisions and the ultimate outcome of the series.

Possibility 7: Unseen Pact or Protection

An unseen pact or protection acting in Sam's favor is one of the more far-fetched theories. Game of Thrones has a history of ancient pacts and magical protections influencing events and characters, so the idea isn't entirely out of place. Perhaps Sam unknowingly invoked or became part of such a pact that offered him protection from the Walkers.

Although appealing for its dramatic flair, this theory lacks concrete evidence. There's no known pact or protective charm that has been associated with Sam or hinted at in the series. Also, such protections are typically well-established plot elements, like the magic in the Wall or the spells protecting the Children of the Forest's caves, which were not in play during this particular incident.