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shadowkat1. 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.
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no subject
Date: 2014-05-03 06:44 pm (UTC)The tv series -- feels almost like it is glorifying sexual violence. We are in the male gaze. Unfortunately this is not solely relegated to GoT, it's prevalent in Television. Also it's not just one cable network or channel. Or one writer.
You can go back to S2...with Joffrey and his sadistic sex play, or as far back as S1 with Theon and his use of women as objects, or Drago and his rape of Dany (none of which had happened in the books). Nor had the scenes with LittleFinger and his whores.
It would be one thing if it was an isolated occurrence, but it has become repetitive and prevalent. I'm starting to question the writing choices. Why is this happening? Why are they making these choices? Are they even aware of it? GRRM clearly was writing a novel similar in tone to Suzanne Collins Hunger Games - depicting the horrific effects of WAR and a fight over power on the human being, specifically children (the protagonists - Bran, Dany, Jon, Sansa are all 7-14 years of age in the books). But I'm not sure what the television writers are doing.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-05 07:26 am (UTC)I agree. And like you wrote, they added so many sexually violent scenes that were not in the books. While cutting out those that where not exploitative (say Tyrion with Shae) and also the sexual violence that was so horrible that no one could possibly be titillated by it (say the gang rape of Lollys).
It really makes the show pretty skeevy.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-06 01:54 am (UTC)It seems to be a trend with cable shows in the US, lets show graphic violence as entertainment, because we can.