Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct that some readers may find upsetting. It also contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season 8 episode 4 ‘The Last of the Starks’.
Game of Thrones‘ latest episode did a lot to set up the final two in the series, but it wasn’t without its problematic moments.
In season 8 episode 4 ‘The Last of the Starks’, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and The Hound (Rory McCann) shared a proper scene together for the first time since season 2.
Helen Sloan/HBO
Sansa has been through a horrific amount since then, including her time with Joffrey Baratheon and Ramsay Bolton. She was raped and tortured by the latter, before she set his hounds on him.
When The Hound expresses regret and comments she wouldn’t have been forced to go through what she experienced if she had left with him six seasons ago, Sansa responded with a line which drew much criticism from fans.
“Without Littlefinger and Ramsay and the rest, I would have stayed a little bird all my life,” she said.
Helen Sloan/HBO
The show seems to imply here that Sansa has become the powerful woman she is only because of the abuse she has received. And that’s a terrible message to send.
Among those who criticised the scene was Jessica Chastain.
“Rape is not a tool to make a character stronger,” she wrote. “A woman doesn’t need to be victimized in order to become a butterfly. The little bird was always a phoenix. Her prevailing strength is solely because of her. And her alone.”
Chastain was one of many who pointed out the problems with the scene:
And that wasn’t the only problematic part of the episode.
The episode ended with a chained-up Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel), a black woman, executed by Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), primarily to further white main character Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) storyline as her descent into becoming the ‘Mad Queen’ is teased.
Helen SloanHBO
It’s also worth pointing out the lack of diversity in the writers’ room, which likely contributed to these issues.
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Game of Thrones season 8 airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Tune in to Digital Spy’s Game of Thrones livestreams on Monday evenings, straight after each episode, on Instagram and Facebook.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct. If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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