Large feasts were common in Game of Thrones, so it only makes sense to compare the iconic characters to iconic dishes served at Thanksgiving dinner. While there might be some parallels between a Thanksgiving dinner to a Westerosi feast, the actual reasons are vastly different. It is safe to say that, for a majority of United States’ inhabitants, Thanksgiving will be the biggest meal they have in a calendar year. Families will gather around the table, and every kid will try to avoid talking about their personal life, while old generational quarrels will come close to blowing up (if not actually blowing up).
In Westeros, however, feasts are a regular occurrence, and while some of the traditions folks experience in the United States are similar, so much more happens. A feast in one of the seven kingdoms could lead to a country-wide civil war, a fatal betrayal, or the coronation of another new monarch. Because Thanksgiving dinner and HBO’s premier fantasy series are so infamous, it only makes sense to compare the two groups and see which individual character from the TV show matches the food that will fill our bellies on the third Thursday of November.
Turkey: Daenerys Targaryen
No matter anyone’s opinion about characters, it is hard to argue how important Daenerys is to the world of Game of Thrones. Her growth and development throughout every episode are always one of the most prominent and pivotal scenes in the seasons. While other characters’ stories might waver from the show’s titular competition, Daenerys is always striving to be victorious at any cost. Like a Thanksgiving turkey, Daenerys only achieved greatness and reached her full potential through absorbing massive amounts of heat and pressure over an extended period of time. But once the game bird and the Dragon Queen are ready, they can be fully experienced. The only downside of this Daenerys turkey, however, is that it received too much heat and wound up burnt.
Mashed Potatoes: Jon Snow
Jon Snow was always portrayed as the most admirable and honorable character in the Game of Thrones, other than his father* Ned Stark. Not only was his honor one of his best characteristics, but it was also his ability to always end up doing the right thing and maintain his highly regarded protagonist standing. One major critique that audiences had regarding the bastard of Winterfell was his occasional insipidness and too “goody-two-shoes” in a series known for his complex or diabolical villains. Sure, mashed potatoes can easily be seen as the blandest dish on the dinner plate, but that is only without the necessary spices. Jon Snow became much more of a palatable character when his life was spiced up living with the Free Folk, dying, being resurrected, and making it his life mission to stop the oncoming undead army.
Gravy: Samwell Tarly
The obvious parallel is that there would be no gravy if not for mashed potatoes, but I would argue gravy and Samwell Tarly hold a lot of importance. So much about Sam’s story is why Game of Thrones excelled in the television medium. In a world with resurrections, fire-breathing dragons, and a frozen zombie army, Sam’s story is one of the most grounded of the series, and that makes him stand out for all the right reasons. Sure, a Thanksgiving dinner could easily be a good meal without some gravy, but when it is layered on those mashed potatoes, turkey, and all the other fixings, the taste is just unmatched.
Stuffing: Arya Stark
With complete honesty, the best stuffing is a dish that is dangerous. Most stuffing will come in those little bread clumps that trick the eater into just having a little. However, as time goes by, a whole servings worth of stuffing is in your belly, and you are (pun very much intended) stuffed. Originally, Arya Stark had the appearance of an innocent child, and later, an innocent woman. The girl with no name used this to her advantage to become one of the most ruthless and skilled killers in all of Westeros. Sure, the youngest Stark girl might look like she would just be a Lady and tend to the house, but good luck trying to get her into the housewife life without getting stuffed with Needle for insinuating the badass of Arya should be kept in a kitchen.
Butternut Squash: Gendry Baratheon
The beauty that is Gendry’s story and arc throughout the Game of Thrones series. A man who started out as a bastard and a blacksmith’s apprentice turned into a natural-born Lord of Storm’s End. Gendry never stood a chance in Westeros if he stayed in Flea Bottom and went on making weapons, and he likely would have wound up dead when the City Watch was killing off King Robert’s blood heirs. Gendry didn’t accept this fate, and he challenged himself to achieve greatness through traveling to the north, which led his life to be destroyed by Melisandre before being built back up with the help of Davos and Arya. The bastard life leads to a hard exterior like butternut squash, but when that is stripped away, audiences are able to see the squishy and emotional insides of Gendry.
Green Beans: Jamie Lannister
Out of all of the other male characters in Game of Thrones, Jamie Lannister is easily the one who suffered the most with the inconsistent writing in the latter half of the series. His redemption was fingertips away following the Battle of Winterfell and his actions regarding the brilliant and loyal Brienne of Tarth. Before this, Jamie always had a good heart within his chest but was often persuaded to do despicable things because of his love for his family. Since green beans are a beautiful source of calcium that helps bones, no other reason is needed for this comparison since Jamie is easily the primary reason why his fellow Lannisters were able to stay strong through all of their conquests and battles throughout the show’s runtime.
Corn: Grey Worm
When it comes to the entrusted confidants that Daenerys culminated through her journey to the Iron Throne, Grey Worm is purposefully and beautifully depicted as the strong silent type that has a lot of potential for growth. Since he was voted by his fellow Unsullied to be their de facto leader, his presence in the show and Dany’s mission wavered, but Grey Worm was never underestimated by his queen. This small grain might be overlooked or forgotten about when it comes to all of the other more loud flavors in the dinner, but it is still an imperative section of the meal. Grey Worm will never be the biggest or loudest character in Game of Thrones, but that does not take away how incredible and crucial he is, just like corn.
Dinner Rolls: Davos Seaworth
When it comes to the Onion Knight, what you see is what you get. Davos Seaworth is a pirate and a smuggler who turned his life towards a more honorable path to become a knight. There is not a lot of pomp and circumstance to Davos, but there does not have to be. Since Davos is not one to hold back from telling his truth when asked, his character is written as a palette cleanser and ensures those he is fighting for are hearing all of the potential arguments. Just as the dinner roll is versatile depending on if you want to make a mini Thanksgiving slider or scoop up the remaining gravy off your plate, Davos can easily adapt and go with any situation that life throws at him.
Cranberry Sauce: Sansa Stark
Polarizing. Sansa Stark was polarizing to her fellow Westerosi inhabitants and to audiences of Game of Thrones. The crimson-haired Lady Stark had two different versions of her that can be split up before Ramsey Snow and after Ramsey Bolton. Prior to Petyr Baelish selling her to Roose Bolton, Sansa was stuck in one confined place (kinda like a can) and was never going to achieve inner happiness. But after she was forced to open up, Sansa left her mark all over her Westeros, either directly or indirectly. This new-and-improved version of the eldest Stark daughter is not one to be messed with or underestimated because of her inner strength and admirable passion for making sure her northern banner folks are protected against tyranny.
Pumpkin Pie: Missandei
Although it was never explicitly stated, it is truly amazing how innocent and sweet Missandei was. Being a woman in the innately misogynistic world of Game of Thrones is hard enough, but the fact that Missandei remained so positive through the trauma that comes from being a woman and a slave is miraculous. In a world where hardly anyone can be trusted, Daenerys’ handmaiden and advisor was the most trustworthy person in all of Essos or Westeros. Missendei made every scene or situation better through her council to the Dragon Queen and adorable relationship with Mr. Corn himself, Grey Worm. After a long day in battle or eating a bunch of food (honestly, what’s the difference?) Missendei is there to cheer everyone up with her kind and comfortable vibe, just like a pumpkin pie does.
Do you agree or disagree with our choices? Let us know what you think in the comments below! And watch the entire Game of Thrones series here!