Let's start with the name!
Both characters began stuck living in the shadows of their fathers.
One Sam inheriting his father's gardening practice, and the other being pushed to inherit his father's lordship – both end up abandoning this path.
In worlds where literacy isn't very common, the Sams both became bookworms.
One dreamed of becoming a Maester while the other displayed a talent for poetry.
Their roles are very similar – the unlikely sidekick to the story's hero.
Who gets all the attention but couldn't have gotten far without their Sam!
Though both have been described as craven and cowardice, they remain loyal and devoted in their bromance.
Both the Sams' defining achievement is a triumph against a horrifying beast.
Although both characters exist in an overwhelmingly male setting, they both manage to find a female love interest.
LOTR doesn't have many women characters, and the Night's Watch is, well, a bit of a sausagefest.
Not only that, they succeed in courting them!
Wait, a love story that works out? Whaaat?
ALSO, both love interests are named after flowers.
GRRM himself has maintained that his work is strongly influenced by Tolkien's.
They are basically of the same kin!
Well, except for that one major thing.
