The girlfriend thinks it's a good show, so I watch it with her. Arya, the Hound and the Imp are the only interesting characters, Sam is endearing. It's entertaining watching Sansa gain some agency even though almost EVERYTHING is her fault, for lying for Joffrey because she wanted to be a queen.

I remember the characters, just not their names. I recognize the characters by their looks while they're on-screen & by their voices if they're not. But if they're only mentioned, I can have trouble unless there is additional context or if they've appeared recently.

It's also not like I can't remember any names. I also have an easier time remembering a name if it's a book instead of a tv series/movie, the name is interesting/otherwise memorable or if I've had enough exposure to it.

Yeah, Fallout is much easier.

Sam and Jon Snow are easy to remember because redhead says his name so much.
Khaleesi was a title, the wife of a Khal. I know her name starts with a D but she's one of the most boring characters in the show.