Will Samwell Tarly Get Infected by the Greyscale Disease in ‘Game of Thrones’?

Samwell Tarly, one of the central characters in HBO’s Game of Thrones, has faced his fair share of challenges and adversities throughout his journey. However, one of the most compelling fears remains the possibility of his infection by the treacherous Greyscale Disease. Despite the makeup and story purposes, the question remains: could Samwell Tarly realistically contract this terrible skin disease?

The Greyscale Disease: Plaguing Westeros

The Greyscale Disease, or Stoneman Syndrome, is a fictional monomorphic form of cutaneous Microsporidiosis that plagues the continents of Westeros and Essos. It’s a result of a Hexamita rodentis Microsporidium infection, and it causes blackened, scaly, and ultimately characteristic flesh that leads to a ghastly transformation, with the most visible sign being the severely disfigured face. Once contracted, the disease is incurable and leads to insidious, yet rampant, disfigurement.

The Incidence of the Greyscale Disease

The question of whether Samwell Tarly can contract the Greyscale Disease is rooted in his immersion in the world of Game of Thrones, a time and place where such a disease is prevalent. During the show, we see characters like Jorah Mormont display early signs of the disease, such as the blackened marks on his face, indicating his earlier exposure to the contagion. The closest point of contact for Samwell Tarly to this disease would be through Jorah, whose gloves had been contaminated with the disease Microsporidium.

Exposure Risk through Contaminated Gloves

In the show, Jorah put his glove to Samwell's lips to allow him to drink from a flask of rum. The fact that Samwell was exposed is evident, but he chose not to wear a mask, potentially increasing his risk of contamination. This action could open the gateway to infection through skin contact, leading to the development of the disease.

Realistic Scenarios of Infection

Given the story setup, we must evaluate the circumstances during which Samwell Tarly could contract the Greyscale Disease:

Direct Contact: Jorah’s glove was a vector of the disease, and if Samwell had direct skin-to-skin contact with Jorah's hand or glove, it might lead to infection.

Ingestion: While drinking from the contaminated flask, Samwell could have ingested the Microsporidium spores, a pathway capable of causing an infection if the spores were present in sufficient quantities.

Inhalation: Exposure through inhalation of minute spores from contaminated objects or air could also be a factor, though this has not been seen in the show.

The Greenblood and Seawater Healing

In the realm of Game of Thrones, certain areas like the Greenblood Orks have a reputation for making unique, natural remedies to combat the Greyscale Disease. The effectiveness of Greenblood and seawater healing methods remains questionable. In one instance, Samwell is narrated about a tale of a child from Greenblood whose Greyscale Disease was seemingly cured - this is a scenario that could theoretically open a window of hope for Samwell himself, although it was reported as an isolated and peculiar case rather than a generally accepted cure.

Conclusion

While the chance of Samwell Tarly contracting the Greyscale Disease is not explicitly shown in the show, the scenario presents a plausible risk scenario based on the characters' actions and the established illness. Failing the Greenblood or seawater healing methods, the reality of a nightmarish transformation remains a harrowing possibility.

In the grand tapestry of Westeros, Samwell Tarly's risks and vulnerabilities are interwoven into the rich tapestry of the show. The question of whether he will succumb to the Greyscale Disease remains a tantalizing subplot that fans continue to ponder.