Game of Thrones

[Ghoulies]

Who says the writers do? As you know, HBO has a perv producer who forces them to put nudity in. It was the boob quota of the week.

It's possible that HBO's CEO of tits stepped in to ensure the boob quota was filled, but I'd assume in most scenes creative control rests with the writers and the director.

Would the scene have had the same message and effect without casual background rape and boob shots? Yes.

Message? Yes. Effect? Probably not. I'm pretty desensitised to most forms of violence in pop culture, but actually showing the rape brings out a visceral reaction of disgust for me.

That's not to say writers should have a carte blanche to just throw in some rape whenever they feel like shocking an audience, but showing it does achieve something that merely suggesting it doesn't.

There was a similar scene in the latest 300 movie. During the sack of Athens there were a bunch of women being raped for no reason at all.

Well that's probably historically accurate, which is strange considering how almost everything else in the rest of those movies are not.

Umina hates rape...well uh, duh? If he didn't hate it that would be a little disturbing wouldn't it?

It's a sensitive issue. I guess he felt the need to point it out so no one accuses him of being a rape apologist.

I'm not saying it's exactly the same as the brothel scenes. The point is if there's rape there's no reason to focus on the naked, bouncing breasts of the woman. That part is simply gratuitous, as they showed last episode they can have the same effect with clothed rape. Even if the woman has to be naked, there's no reason for there to be a close-up on her naked body.

Well I think the fact that they're naked makes the rape that much more graphic, so if your intention is to horrify, then yeah there's a reason to show it.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Because rape is much more prevalent in society than any of the things you've mentioned. It's also a more intimate violation and trauma that leaves people scarred for life. It's also, classicly, an act of violence specifically against women and to oppress women... that isn't to say that a man can't be raped, of course.

To be honest, the statement you've just made is very, very offensive to rape victims and pretty disturbing to me in general. Many victims would prefer death than what they've been through. Many do take that option. Sexual violence is far more detestable and grotesque than any other violence you have mentioned for mine - ergo should be treated with an added level of care in my opinion... and I would suggest that you not comment on a topic that you clearly have zero exposure to in real terms. Think before you type. Victims of any of the activities you've just mentioned don't generally survive to be traumatised further by having their experience shown so verbosely on a TV show, either.

Regardless of all that, you're all reacting like I'm saying we should ban the show or something. I'm not. I'm saying that it was distasteful, cheap and gratuitous - which it was. I can't see a single argument yet that convinces me it was neither of these.

Why was that casual background rape necessary in that scene when they have handled the topic with far more class in the past? Why would you even defend it?

I am sure victims of other crimes would disagree with you. Rape is no worse than any other major crime that causes serious harm and deprives someone of their liberty. But because you have been affected in one way or another by rape you believe it's the worst crime out there. I have seen many different crimes and all have equal effect on their victims friends and family. I don't want to make this a pissing contest over what you think is worse. I have dealt with victims from sexual assault to the family of a mother that comitted suicide by incineration with her own kids in the house. All have devastating effects

Now back to game of thrones.

 

[afinalsin666]

The show did it's job, clearly. We are a pretty f**kng niche group of watchers, arguing about creators and intent and such. Average Joe sees the rape and detests the characters. We see it and jump online to have multi paragraph discussions around the implications and shit. And if we are angry at the scene, albeit for a different reason, average joe average sure as f**k will be.

 

[Parra]

No such discussion about people being cut in half by swords or about 163 children being nailed to markers to Mereen. Didn't even see whining about a woman being killed with a cross bow in a sex romp.

A lot of PC merkins making a lot of hollow noise.

 

[perverse]

Who's attacking you though?

I actually agree with you that people should be a lot more careful in depicting rape than other forms of violence, I just don't think the writers want you to get off when they show a woman being raped.

Chicken seems to just disagree with you that rape is the worse thing that can happen to someone.

Umina hates rape but had no problem with the episode.

I'm not seeing any attacks here.

edit - And you've deleted the part about being attacked. Nevermind.

Yeah, I immediately regretted writing that in retrospect reading my post. One of those ones that just slips out.

 

[Someone]

I think the words you must be looking for is gritty and raw, not realistic.

What place does realism have in a fantasy series, anyway? Look, on the rape thing - I had no issue with the Jamie and Cersei scene of the previous episode. It has purpose relevant to central characters. It told us a lot about the psychological state of our characters... and it told us in no uncertain terms where their relationship stands at this point. It was relevant. I also thought Crasters rapeyness was very well handled. I thought the rapeyness of the dudes that Arya got needle back from a few eps back was handled well. The near-rape of Sansa was another good way of illustrating rape without showing it. You don't need to show full blown rape on camera to show someone is a rapist and a detestable piece of shit.

The rape going on in the background by anonymous characters in the last episode was completely unnecessary - proven by the show itself in the past. They could have shown how evil these guys are in any number of ways, they could have implied it like they did with Craster himself - in fact I think I was actually more repulsed by Craster - without the need to shove rape in our face. It was put in there to be edgy - and for no other sensible reason. It advanced the story nil - it told us nothing about anyone aside from anonymous bad guys are anonymous bad guys - which we already knew and could have had communicated to us in far more tasteful ways. The rape needn't happen in front of us on camera for an entire scene whilst some hateful dick spews vitriol from his stupid headface. It was gratuitous - and pretty insensitive.

Someone - have you ever dealt with the issue of rape in the real world?

I'll keep watching because I love the show, I love the characters and I love the story... but I lost a bit of respect for the creators of the show, and I do know at least one person who probably won't watch it anymore due to being repulsed. Hell, I'm not saying the creators of the show don't have the right to do as they wish with it - I'm just calling it out for what it is - gratuitous and insensitive. Rape should be treated with a lot of care in entertainment, and I believe the shows creators failed on this one in an area in which they've had a pretty good track record to this point. It was disappointing... but if you feel that it's a good, tasteful thing to be putting out there, well, good luck with it. You're entitled to your opinion.

Yes, you are right. realistic probably wasn't the correct word, or very tasteful for that matter. Gritty and raw would have been more appropriate.

Look, you can rant and rave all you like, it is their adaptation of an art. Until GRRM comes out and labels it 'wrong and offensive' to his original idea than its no dirt off my shoulder. It was what it was, an over the top rape scene, no one is really denying that.

And just because im not filthy with the creators of the show doesn't mean i find rape good or tasteful like your implying, i havent walked in your shoes nor have you mine.

 

[Parra]

I won't, but I do know at least one person who has dropped it.

A realist approach to anything sex or violence? LOL. Yeah, righto. It was really realistic how that guy pegged that dagger at the horse and downed that champion of whereever this season. Super realistic.

I remember how realistic the dragons burning that magic dude at Qarth was, too. God... this show is so realistic with it's violence.

As Springs said before you - the sex in the show is hardly realistic at all. It's totally mechanical and fake. The only way you could possibly think that sex is represented realistically in this show is if your only experience with sexd is porn.

I think the words you must be looking for is gritty and raw, not realistic.

What place does realism have in a fantasy series, anyway? Look, on the rape thing - I had no issue with the Jamie and Cersei scene of the previous episode. It has purpose relevant to central characters. It told us a lot about the psychological state of our characters... and it told us in no uncertain terms where their relationship stands at this point. It was relevant. I also thought Crasters rapeyness was very well handled. I thought the rapeyness of the dudes that Arya got needle back from a few eps back was handled well. The near-rape of Sansa was another good way of illustrating rape without showing it. You don't need to show full blown rape on camera to show someone is a rapist and a detestable piece of shit.

The rape going on in the background by anonymous characters in the last episode was completely unnecessary - proven by the show itself in the past. They could have shown how evil these guys are in any number of ways, they could have implied it like they did with Craster himself - in fact I think I was actually more repulsed by Craster - without the need to shove rape in our face. It was put in there to be edgy - and for no other sensible reason. It advanced the story nil - it told us nothing about anyone aside from anonymous bad guys are anonymous bad guys - which we already knew and could have had communicated to us in far more tasteful ways. The rape needn't happen in front of us on camera for an entire scene whilst some hateful dick spews vitriol from his stupid headface. It was gratuitous - and pretty insensitive.

Someone - have you ever dealt with the issue of rape in the real world?

I'll keep watching because I love the show, I love the characters and I love the story... but I lost a bit of respect for the creators of the show, and I do know at least one person who probably won't watch it anymore due to being repulsed. Hell, I'm not saying the creators of the show don't have the right to do as they wish with it - I'm just calling it out for what it is - gratuitous and insensitive. Rape should be treated with a lot of care in entertainment, and I believe the shows creators failed on this one in an area in which they've had a pretty good track record to this point. It was disappointing... but if you feel that it's a good, tasteful thing to be putting out there, well, good luck with it. You're entitled to your opinion.

Just wait until you understand what they've been doing to Theon.

 

[Eddie Lab]

littlefinger is such a good and complex character.

sansa with her damn lemon cakes.

finally some Warging into Hodor. he looked so remorseful. reminds me of that guy from Of Mice and Men.

 

[God-King Dean]

A pretty meh episode. Just setting up for the big events to come.

Loved the bumbling Pod, & Lysa the nutter.

Felt they should have put a bit more emphasis on her poisoning of Jon Arryn, rather than just mentioning it in casual conversation.

HODOR SMASH!

 

[God-King Dean]

littlefinger is such a good and complex character.

sansa with her damn lemon cakes.

finally some Warging into Hodor. he looked so remorseful. reminds me of that guy from Of Mice and Men.

lol, good comparison.

"Tell me a'bout the rabbits."

 

[Springs]

Anyone else get annoyed by Cersei's and Daenerys' eyebrows?

That Daenerys scene must have been hell for her tv fans wishing for her invade already.

Lysa screaming was so dumb. Sounded like Littlefinger was chasing her with a knife.

Fight at Craster's was good but predictable. One thing that annoys me about it is that they could have a skirmish there but have cut others from the books (like the fight at the Fist) to just a black screen.

Karl is supposed to be some badass assassin but turns his back and completely forgets about Jon because a girl pricked him with a knife.

Finally Jon and Ghost are reunited. No more wandering off for no reason please.

Glad the trial is starting next week. Also looks like Stannis has used Melisandre's teleporting powers to get all the way to Braavos in 2 episodes.

 

[Springs]

Also, was Tywin broke in the books? I know the crown owed him millions. It was said in the first season even.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Not enough boob in that episode tbh.

 

[hineyrulz]

Not a bad episode, Lysa what a nutter lol.

 

[Ghoulies]

We're complaining about eyebrows now? Wow.

 

[Springs]

We're complaining about eyebrows now? Wow.

No. I was asking if they stuck out to anyone else :roll:

 

[ceagle]

We're complaining about eyebrows now? Wow.

You want them to dye their eyebrows blonde? No.

 

[God-King Dean]

lol, don't worry Springs, it's has always annoyed me too. Cercei is stuck in her perpetual smugness, & Emelia Clarke's are just freaky.

 

[Twizzle]

well you can tell she wasn't a blonde in the series 1 and 2 full frontals

 

[t-ba]

No. I was asking if they stuck out to anyone else :roll:

Actually, I really noticed it as well in ep5.

The Lannisters are broke 'ey?

How many more of these dumb f**k spoilers are us book reading types going to get before Arr Arr finishes his f**king books?