Okay Game of Thrones is a fictional story with fantasy, magic and monsters, but developers - David Benioff and D. B. Weiss - and author George RR Martin managed to represent both men and women more of a real way than any ‘real’ portrayal on screen before it.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
Picture: Unsplash
The show has always highlighted men and women in honest lights, with no one being purely good or bad, but The Battle of Winterfell really emphasised a key message - stereotypes are a load of old rubbish.
Featured were a range of tough,brave, emotional, strong, empathetic people. Each person displayed a range of emotions and so everyone watching at home could relate to at least one character - highlighting the depth of representation in the episode. Here are a few characters that stood out to me to be breaking down the stereotype barrier
Lyanna Mormont: one of the most feminist figures I’ve seen on TV, absolutely fronts up. She’s strong and a true leader, unlike stereotypical portrayals of women in power being weak and hysterical. She’s a factor in saving Winterfell as well due to her killing the massive giant - a brave move considering she knew she was about the die. She was an amazing character and a great role model for all watching.
Samwell Tarly. While representation for brave men shone through in Ser Jorah, Jaime Lannister, Tormund and others Samwell highlighted a sensitive side that humanised scenes in the show. Sam showing emotion matched how the audience were feeling and having a man doing this is so powerful as no one - apart from meme makers - criticised or ridiculed Sam for showing his feelings. In this day and age this figure being on such a big stage is crucial for men everywhere.
The Hound- a character that’s slightly underrated with the impact he has on the show. One of the toughest warriors but when fire was introduced, the one thing he’s scared of, Glegane began to falter. Empowered to save his friend Arya, he fought on highlighting another sensitive character but in a slightly different way to Sam. Sam was mimicking the audience but The Hound faces his fears and demonstrated you can achieve things.
Finally, the bad ass that is Arya. When she appeared through the darkness to kill the Night King I actually began to cry. I thought all hope was lost and all my favourite characters were about to die. For once it wasn’t a man coming to the rescue -everyone believed Jon Snow would be the saviour - but a strong, independent woman that doesn’t need a man but wants one. Her scene the night before with Gendry was criticised by many but I thought it was extremely well handled and consent was at the forefront -kudos to Arya and Gendry for that one. Then on top of this she is the one to save the world. But our saviour was not only brave and tough, she displayed fear and worry for her life. Humanising her still allowed the audience to relate to her. For me this action summed up GoT. Yes it has murder, destruction and sexual abuse within it but it also displays the correct way of doing things and they aren’t afraid to challenge the audience.
A woman saved Winterfell. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a better role model for everyone on screen as Arya (you know aside from the murder).
Can men cry? Hell yes. Can girls fight? Hell yes. Can you be exactly who you want to be regardless of your gender? Hell yes.
Bravo GoT you have well and truly smashed representation
Warning: spoilers ahead!
Picture: Unsplash
The show has always highlighted men and women in honest lights, with no one being purely good or bad, but The Battle of Winterfell really emphasised a key message - stereotypes are a load of old rubbish.
Featured were a range of tough,brave, emotional, strong, empathetic people. Each person displayed a range of emotions and so everyone watching at home could relate to at least one character - highlighting the depth of representation in the episode. Here are a few characters that stood out to me to be breaking down the stereotype barrier
Lyanna Mormont: one of the most feminist figures I’ve seen on TV, absolutely fronts up. She’s strong and a true leader, unlike stereotypical portrayals of women in power being weak and hysterical. She’s a factor in saving Winterfell as well due to her killing the massive giant - a brave move considering she knew she was about the die. She was an amazing character and a great role model for all watching.
Samwell Tarly. While representation for brave men shone through in Ser Jorah, Jaime Lannister, Tormund and others Samwell highlighted a sensitive side that humanised scenes in the show. Sam showing emotion matched how the audience were feeling and having a man doing this is so powerful as no one - apart from meme makers - criticised or ridiculed Sam for showing his feelings. In this day and age this figure being on such a big stage is crucial for men everywhere.
The Hound- a character that’s slightly underrated with the impact he has on the show. One of the toughest warriors but when fire was introduced, the one thing he’s scared of, Glegane began to falter. Empowered to save his friend Arya, he fought on highlighting another sensitive character but in a slightly different way to Sam. Sam was mimicking the audience but The Hound faces his fears and demonstrated you can achieve things.
Finally, the bad ass that is Arya. When she appeared through the darkness to kill the Night King I actually began to cry. I thought all hope was lost and all my favourite characters were about to die. For once it wasn’t a man coming to the rescue -everyone believed Jon Snow would be the saviour - but a strong, independent woman that doesn’t need a man but wants one. Her scene the night before with Gendry was criticised by many but I thought it was extremely well handled and consent was at the forefront -kudos to Arya and Gendry for that one. Then on top of this she is the one to save the world. But our saviour was not only brave and tough, she displayed fear and worry for her life. Humanising her still allowed the audience to relate to her. For me this action summed up GoT. Yes it has murder, destruction and sexual abuse within it but it also displays the correct way of doing things and they aren’t afraid to challenge the audience.
A woman saved Winterfell. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a better role model for everyone on screen as Arya (you know aside from the murder).
Can men cry? Hell yes. Can girls fight? Hell yes. Can you be exactly who you want to be regardless of your gender? Hell yes.
Bravo GoT you have well and truly smashed representation
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