So as we all know Game of Thrones is a total Lord of the Rings rip-off, right? Ok, thats clearly an exaggeration, but there are lots of similarities between the two, and George R.R. Martin was obviously very influenced by J.R.R. Tolkein. One of the glaring similarities is in the heroes of the series, Frodo and Jon. Aside from the fact that theyre both brave souls who leave their homes behind, and have dark, messy, hair, it's in the friendships. Jons two best friends at The Wall are called Sam and Pip. Frodos besties? Sam and Pyp (were yet to meet a Merry in Thrones, which might explain why Jon's so miserable). The similarities are even closer when you compare Samwell Tarly and Samwise Gamgee, the loyal, wise (and fat) sidekick called Sam who does heroic stuff without ever really getting the credit.