I will say without fear of contradiction that Samwell I is one of the best chapters in A Storm of Swords, for a whole host of reasons. Firstly, it’s the second half of George RR Martin’s masterful jump scare, where he sets up the White Walkers in the Prologue and then lets seventeen chapters all focused on the “game of thrones” go past until he suddenly hits you with a zombie apocalypse nightmare. SPOILER WARNING: This chapter analysis, and all following, will contain spoilers for all Song of Ice and Fire novels and Game of Thrones episodes.
Synopsis: Retreating from the Battle of the Fist of the First Men, Sam Tarly slays a White Walker with the help of Small Paul and Grenn.