
In the Game of Thrones series, Sansa Stark was meant to light a candle in a tower to signal to Brienne of Tarth that she was in danger and needed help. However, there is some debate over whether the candle signal was intended for Brienne, as there was no prior communication between the two and Brienne and her squire, Podrick, were camping outside Winterfell unbeknownst to anyone. Regardless, Brienne did watch the tower window for a signal from Sansa, but ultimately missed it as she left to fulfil another oath, leading to Sansa and Theon's escape from Winterfell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plan | Brienne and Podrick would storm Winterfell and protect Sansa |
| Signal | Sansa was meant to light a candle in a tower |
| Outcome | Brienne missed the signal |
| Reason for missing signal | Brienne left to fulfill her previous oath and kill Stannis Baratheon |
| Result | Sansa and Theon embarked on a risky escape by jumping from Winterfell's walls into the snow |
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What You'll Learn

Sansa's signal to Brienne
Sansa Stark, the eldest daughter of Eddard Stark and Catelyn Stark, found herself in a perilous situation in Winterfell, under the rule of House Bolton. Her loyal protector, Brienne of Tarth, was determined to ensure her safety. Brienne, a skilled warrior and the first female knight of the Seven Kingdoms, was tasked by Jaime Lannister to find Sansa and keep her safe.
Upon reaching Winterfell, Brienne and her companion, Podrick Payne, took residence in a nearby inn. Despite Podrick's optimism about Sansa being back in her ancestral home, Brienne was cautious, knowing that Winterfell was full of enemies. She engaged a servant, convincing him of her loyalty to the Starks, and asked him to deliver a message to Sansa.
Brienne and Podrick then waited for Sansa's signal, watching the window of a tower. The plan was for Sansa to light a candle in the tower, indicating that she required Brienne's assistance. However, there was no prior communication or established code between Sansa and Brienne regarding the candle signal. Brienne was unaware of any specific details, and it is unclear how Sansa would have known to use this signal.
As they kept watch, Podrick noticed the arrival of Stannis and his army. Brienne, faced with a difficult decision, chose to abandon her mission to save Sansa temporarily. She left Winterfell, and only seconds after her departure, Sansa lit the candle in the tower. Unfortunately, Brienne did not see the candle signal, and with new developments unfolding, her rescue plan for Sansa was put on hold.
The candle plot, as it came to be known, was a source of confusion for viewers, who questioned its practicality and effectiveness. Some speculated that the signal was intended for other Stark loyalists within Winterfell or that it was a means for Sansa to call for general aid without specifically targeting Brienne. Despite Brienne's vigilance, circumstances prevented her from witnessing the candle being lit, leading to a delay in her rescue attempt.
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Brienne misses the candle
Brienne of Tarth is a knight of House Tarth and the only daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth. She is known for her loyalty and for always keeping her oaths.
In Season 5 of Game of Thrones, Brienne and her companion, Podrick, arrive at Winterfell. Brienne is on a mission to save Sansa Stark, who is being held prisoner there. Brienne and Podrick take a room at a nearby inn and watch the window of the tower for a signal from Sansa. The plan is for Sansa to light a candle in the tower, at which point Brienne and Podrick will storm Winterfell and rescue her.
However, tragedy strikes when Brienne misses the signal. Just seconds after Brienne leaves her post, Sansa finally lights the candle. Unaware that Sansa has signalled for help, Brienne abandons her mission to kill Stannis Baratheon, with whom she seeks vengeance for the death of Renly. As a result of the missed signal, Sansa and Theon are forced to embark on a risky escape by jumping from the walls of Winterfell into the snow.
Some viewers have argued that the plan was flawed from the start, as it relied on Sansa being able to access the tower and light the candle without being caught. Additionally, there was no prior communication between Sansa and Brienne about the candle signal, so it is unclear how Brienne would have known to look out for it. Despite these potential flaws, many fans feel that Brienne's plan should have worked, and the failed candle plot marks a tragic turning point in the character arcs of both Sansa and Brienne.
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The candle as an emergency flare
The candle plan was a signal for Sansa Stark to communicate with Brienne of Tarth, who was waiting at an inn in Winterfell. Sansa was to light a candle in the tower, alerting Brienne that she needed help. However, this plan failed as Brienne missed the signal, leaving Sansa to embark on a risky escape.
The candle, in this case, served as an emergency flare, a distress signal for Brienne to come to Sansa's aid. The plan was for Brienne and her companion, Podrick, to storm Winterfell and rescue Sansa. However, this plan was never executed due to Brienne's absence at the critical moment.
While some viewers interpret the candle as a signal for Brienne, others disagree. They argue that there was no prior correspondence between Sansa and Brienne regarding the candle, and Brienne and Podrick's presence at Winterfell was unknown to Sansa. Additionally, Sansa had previously refused Brienne's protection.
Instead, it is suggested that the candle could have been intended for unknown Stark loyalists within Winterfell. Brienne, aware of the presence of these loyalists, could have coordinated a less immediate escape with their help. This interpretation aligns with the old lady's message to Sansa, "the North remembers," implying the existence of secret Stark supporters.
The candle plan's failure had significant consequences for both Sansa and Brienne's character arcs. Sansa took her fate into her own hands, organizing an escape without relying on others for rescue. Meanwhile, Brienne's conflicting oaths and priorities led to a critical missed opportunity to protect Sansa, impacting her dutiful nature.
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The candle plot's logistics
The candle plot in *Game of Thrones* involves Sansa Stark, imprisoned in Winterfell, lighting a candle in the tower to signal to Brienne of Tarth that she needs help. Brienne and her squire, Podrick, would then storm Winterfell and rescue Sansa.
However, there are several logistical issues with this plan. Firstly, there was no prior correspondence between Sansa and the old lady who delivers the message, implying that there was no pre-established signal for Brienne to recognise. Additionally, no one knew that Brienne and Podrick were camping around Winterfell, and Sansa had previously refused Brienne's protection. This raises the question of how Brienne would know to interpret the candle as a signal for her.
Some viewers have suggested that the candle signal was intended for unknown Stark loyalists in Winterfell, who would then help Sansa escape. This theory is supported by the old lady's words to Sansa, "the North remembers," implying that there were still unnamed Northerners loyal to the Starks.
Another logistical issue is the difficulty for Sansa to access the tower and light the candle without being caught. One suggestion to mitigate this risk is to have Sansa send word to the old lady to seek aid on her behalf, rather than attempting to light the candle herself.
Furthermore, it is assumed that Brienne and Podrick would not directly infiltrate Winterfell but would rely on an inside contact, such as the old lady, to smuggle Sansa out. However, Ramsay Bolton, the ruler of Winterfell, is known for his mind games and trickery. He flayed the old lady and claimed that she revealed Sansa's escape plan, demonstrating the high risk associated with the candle plot.
Despite these logistical challenges, Brienne and Podrick decide to wait for Sansa's signal, constantly watching the tower window. Unfortunately, at the critical moment when Sansa finally lights the candle, Brienne misses the signal as she has left to fulfil her oath to kill Stannis Baratheon. As a result, Sansa and Theon are forced to embark on a risky escape by jumping from the walls of Winterfell.
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The candle is lit, but Brienne isn't there
The candle is lit, but Brienne of Tarth is not there to see it. This is a pivotal moment in the relationship between Sansa Stark and Brienne, and a turning point for Sansa's character.
Sansa and Brienne had devised a plan in which Sansa would light a candle in a tower window to signal to Brienne that she was in danger and needed help. Brienne and her companion, Podrick, would then storm Winterfell and rescue Sansa. However, fate had other plans.
After days of waiting and watching the tower, Brienne and Podrick are alerted to the arrival of Stannis Baratheon and his army. Brienne, driven by her personal need to avenge the death of Renly Baratheon, decides to leave Winterfell to kill Stannis. She abandons her mission to save Sansa, and it is at this critical juncture that Sansa finally lights the candle.
Brienne's absence at this crucial moment leads to the failure of their plan. Sansa, missing her opportunity to be rescued, takes matters into her own hands. She embarks on a daring escape, jumping from the walls of Winterfell into the snow, with the help of Theon Greyjoy.
This sequence of events highlights the complexities of Brienne's character and her conflicting oaths. It also marks a significant development in Sansa's character arc, as she transitions from a passive prisoner waiting to be rescued to a proactive leader who takes charge of her own fate.
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Frequently asked questions
No, she misses the signal.
Sansa was meant to light a candle in a tower to inform Brienne that she was in danger and needed help.
Brienne had to leave to fulfil her previous oath to kill Stannis Baratheon.
It is unclear. Some sources suggest that there was no prior correspondence between Sansa and Brienne about the candle, while others state that Brienne was waiting for the signal.




































