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Is Sansa Stark the real hero of 'Game of Thrones'?

This might be a tad controversial.

Favorite character on "Game of Thrones." GO!

This guy?

(Oh, Ned. Sweet, dour, dopey Ned.)

Or maybe this guy?

(Yeah, that's probably more like it.)

Or perhaps this badass stabby teen ninja?

(That's, uh, ketchup.)

No, wait. I know! I know who it is. There's only one right answer.

(Uggggh no! Whhhyyyyyy?)

Wait a minute. Hold up there.

Don't go playing that. Sansa is the best. Seriously.

And kind of the real hero of the show.

"THE REAL HERO OF THE SHOW?! BUT SHE'S SO BLAH."

Nope.

"BUT SHE'S SO IRRITATING."

Stop it.

"BUT SHE'S JUST ... I DON'T KNOW. I JUST ... CAN'T WITH HER."

No. You can. You can with her. I'll show you.

And ... honestly? Not to go overboard here, but if Sansa Stark is not your favorite character on "Game of Thrones," there's something actually, deeply, fundamentally wrong with you.*

* JK. You're allowed to disagree. Seriously. No judgment. Mostly.

***MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASONS 1-4 COMING UP. IF YOU'RE STILL CATCHING UP AND DON'T WANT TO HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE RUINED, STOP READING NOW.***

OK, I'll give you this: In Season 1, Sansa is kind of a huge pain.

(OK, really annoying.)

She spends most of her time being a gigantic jerkweed to Septa Mordane and writing in her dream journal about lemon cakes and the glamor of King's Landing and how smitten she is with the obviously awful Prince Joffrey.

And you want to be like, "Girl, no. Just no. No."

(Just no.)

But listen. Real talk. How realistic were you about love when you were 13?

(Your boyfriends.)

Right. That's what I thought.

And of course, everything changes when she watches her dad get straight-up axe-murdered by her boyfriend's goons.

That's the kind of thing that makes a kid grow up fast.

Unlike her sister Arya, who gets whisked far, far away from King's Landing almost immediately, Sansa becomes a prisoner of the Lannisters.

She doesn't get to run off into the forest with a sword and a posse and vow revenge against her enemies. Because she has to sleep, like, two doors down from them every night. And yet, not only does she manage to survive, she thrives.

She's unfailingly polite to Cersei, a woman she despises. She's guarded with the Tyrells, and only dispenses information to them that she knows will benefit her. She even convinces Joffrey to be less of a monster ... occasionally. All the while looking for an angle and plotting her escape.

While the more traditional heroes of the show are out tramping merrily through the forest, fighting to avenge this relative or that, and riding their horses for valor and glory and whatnot, Sansa comes to sees the world of Westeros for the nightmarish funhouse horror clown show it really is.



And while we're at it, let's take a look at how those other so-called heroes have fared, shall we?

Big, manly, shouty warlord Khal Drogo?

(Dead from a paper cut.)

Proud emo King of the North Robb Stark?

(Stabbed to death at a wedding.)

Badass lady commando Ygritte?

(Arrowed!!!)

Unremarkable, soft-spoken Sansa Stark?

Still freaking alive and kicking it.


She even manages to get in some of the best passive-aggressive digs at King Joffrey while she's at it, seen here trolling him for being too much of a coward to fight in the Battle of King's Landing.

For three seasons now, Sansa has managed to outwit and outplay her enemies, all while toeing the line, pretending to follow their lead and do what they want her to do.

By playing the game so darn well, she's finally managed to get herself out of King's Landing to freedom.

(Well, freedom-ish.)

But don't take it from me. Take it from HBO. They're all aboard the Sansa train.

So much so that the dudes from "Silicon Valley" made a video to express their fervent hope that this season...

Because she's earned it.

Watch the rest of their commentary here.

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Prudential
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Meet the 18-year-old advocating for teen mental health, one inspiring podcast at a time

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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