The Strange Helper Theory of Game of Thrones + Giveaway

Have you noticed the recurrence of a certain type of character in the series Game of Thrones? This person—or
creature—might have magic powers, or unusual strength, skill, or stature—and appears in the story primarily to aid a more major character. This character type is what I’ve come to call the “strange helper”—strange in the sense of unusual, extraordinary, or exceptional. Here are just a few examples.

 

• The dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, who help Daenerys Targaryen

 

• The wolves Grey Wind, Ghost, Shaggydog, Summer, Lady, and Nymeria, who help the Stark children

 

• The red priestess Melisandre, who helps Stannis Baratheon and later Jon Snow

 

• Faceless man Jaqen H’ghar, who helps Arya Stark

 

• Stablehand Hodor, who helps Bran Stark

 

• The three-eyed raven (both the animal and the person), who also helps Bran Stark

 

• The druid-like Children of the Forest, who help Bran and company

 

• The wights, zombie-like creatures, who help the White Walkers

 

• The resurrected Mountain, who helps Cersei Lannister

What are some other examples of strange helpers in Game of Thrones? Share your ideas in a comment!

This Month’s Giveaway

To celebrate the start of summer, I’m giving away this adorable Aurora plush toy wolf. This giveaway is open to residents of the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.