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1. The AV Club lists 15 differences between the TV Series Game of Thrones and the books. For me, some made sense, others - such as the rapes - just made the tv series more violent and difficult to watch.
2. Speaking of the Unease over the rape sequences in GoT and other other similar series - apparently, I'm not alone in this : Rising Unease Over Rapes ReCurring Role in GoT.
It helps to understand that rape happens off-page in the books. It's there, but less prevalent and sort of as an after-thought. Whether that's better or worse, I don't know. But it's less in your face. Also being a book - easier to ignore.
Visuals are harder. [ETA: after reading the comments below, I think I've clarified in my head why the rapes in the books didn't bug me as much - it's because they are treated as part of WAR, and not romanticized or shown in a titillating manner. Sex isn't either. While the television series does the opposite. I'm not quite sure why.]
While television has a history of doing rape - it is a matter of degree. And yes, anyone who has watched daytime Soap Operas can attest to rape being a definite and recurring trope - BUT, it is dealt with better, often from the victim's pov and the victim tends to be a survivor and the rapist does weirdly pay for it over time, without being demonized. And, being a soap opera, it's just one of many things.
Prime Time television isn't as good with the portrayal - it's slam bang thank you mam. Soaps explore all the angles. Prime Time uses it either as a plot point to get everyone riled up or to move a character from point a to point b. Sometimes, as in the case of Scandal, GoT, and House of Cards - to make a nasty/villainous female character either weaker, more sympathetic, or understandable. Or in the case of Buffy, to move Spike's story forward and get him his soul. Or in the case of various cop shows - to rile everyone up, and it is often the strongest female character that it happens to. Or in the case of Downton Abbey, a means of focusing on the victim's husband's pain and developing his story. There's an inherent sexism and misogyny in these portrayals, which I think is a reflection of how our society handles gender and rape and it's not a positive one. Culture is a reflection - a mirror. Instead of riling at the reflection, "out out damn spot! or damn, you stupid mirror, I don't have a pimple", I think we should ask ourselves why it is reflecting that? Why do we have that pimple or how did that spot get there? And how can we change it? Instead of throwing out the mirror or throwing a blanket over it.
3. The MTA fired the president of the Long Island Rail Road this week. She was the first female president of the LIRR and served as president the longest - 7 years. LIRR President abruptly fired
I was surprised, but not at the same time. Also on the fence...the devil you know is often better than the devil you don't. But attempting to feel positive about it.
2. Speaking of the Unease over the rape sequences in GoT and other other similar series - apparently, I'm not alone in this : Rising Unease Over Rapes ReCurring Role in GoT.
It helps to understand that rape happens off-page in the books. It's there, but less prevalent and sort of as an after-thought. Whether that's better or worse, I don't know. But it's less in your face. Also being a book - easier to ignore.
Visuals are harder. [ETA: after reading the comments below, I think I've clarified in my head why the rapes in the books didn't bug me as much - it's because they are treated as part of WAR, and not romanticized or shown in a titillating manner. Sex isn't either. While the television series does the opposite. I'm not quite sure why.]
While television has a history of doing rape - it is a matter of degree. And yes, anyone who has watched daytime Soap Operas can attest to rape being a definite and recurring trope - BUT, it is dealt with better, often from the victim's pov and the victim tends to be a survivor and the rapist does weirdly pay for it over time, without being demonized. And, being a soap opera, it's just one of many things.
Prime Time television isn't as good with the portrayal - it's slam bang thank you mam. Soaps explore all the angles. Prime Time uses it either as a plot point to get everyone riled up or to move a character from point a to point b. Sometimes, as in the case of Scandal, GoT, and House of Cards - to make a nasty/villainous female character either weaker, more sympathetic, or understandable. Or in the case of Buffy, to move Spike's story forward and get him his soul. Or in the case of various cop shows - to rile everyone up, and it is often the strongest female character that it happens to. Or in the case of Downton Abbey, a means of focusing on the victim's husband's pain and developing his story. There's an inherent sexism and misogyny in these portrayals, which I think is a reflection of how our society handles gender and rape and it's not a positive one. Culture is a reflection - a mirror. Instead of riling at the reflection, "out out damn spot! or damn, you stupid mirror, I don't have a pimple", I think we should ask ourselves why it is reflecting that? Why do we have that pimple or how did that spot get there? And how can we change it? Instead of throwing out the mirror or throwing a blanket over it.
3. The MTA fired the president of the Long Island Rail Road this week. She was the first female president of the LIRR and served as president the longest - 7 years. LIRR President abruptly fired
I was surprised, but not at the same time. Also on the fence...the devil you know is often better than the devil you don't. But attempting to feel positive about it.