Who is Dickon in 'Game of Thrones' and why does he matter?

It's hard to believe that just a month ago Game of Thrones fans were upset about a cameo, because the latest bit player in the war of the seven kingdoms is clearly a born star.

Young Dickon Tarly -- yes, that's his real name, don't laugh...yet -- is out here stealing hearts on the battlefield during the Loot Train Attack and the war for the Iron Throne, and we just want him to know he is appreciated.

We first glimpsed Dickon in Season 6 when Sam Tarly goes to visit his family, and what a glimpse it was. In that iteration, Sam's brother was played by Freddie Stroma, who you may remember as this guy from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

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Stroma also appeared in Season 1 of UnREAL that year, as well as Time After Time and a feature film (he also married UnREAL costar and Quantico actress Johanna Brady) -- and eventually Dickon was recast for Season 7.

Enter the new Dickon, who must introduce himself by name in every scene to remind us that A) he is not Rickon, and B) his name is Dickon.

D I C K O N.

For Season 7, Dickon got a meatier role, and a proportionately bulked up recast: Enter Tom Hopper, British television actor and also this guy:

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But things are rough for poor Dickon, and they were before the ol' Loot Train Attack (still a terrible name!). Growing up a Tarly, his family was never directly involved in the fights of bigger names like Stark, Lannister, or Targaryen. They did associate quite a bit with families serving the Tyrells at Highgarden, as Dickon noted Sunday night. Taking Olenna's castle under a Lannister flag meant killing men who he had grown up with, and that was sad for little Dickey.

So why does Dickon matter? At present, he's the closest thing to a civilian that Game of Thrones has to offer (except for Hot Pie, who we will probably never see again). He has no direct relation to any house vying for the Throne; he's just trying to fight the fight, do his job, and get home to Casa Dickon in time for his evening pigeon pie (unless pigeon pie is a highborn delicacy? I've only heard Lannisters mention it). He represents the thousands of innocent soldiers and citizens of Westeros who could become casualties in this monumental war -- if they haven't died already.

At the same time, his clear desire to be a hero is heartening. Even with too many rulers to choose from, the average Westerosi wants to do something worthwhile with his life, even if that means fighting for someone else. He could just sit the war out until the fancy rulers fight it out among themselves, but he's out there, and he's also v swol.

Let's all be more like Dickon. Now please stop laughing.