To watch Game of Thrones?

[AssignedPerfectAtBirth]

Ok, bit of history to this: I started watching the first episode with DH quite some time ago and was extremely put off by the sex/rape scene and stopped watching it.

So many series on, DH still raves about it as do millions of others obviously and I was considering trying it again.

Then this morning I read this:

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/29/game-of-thrones-racism-sexism-rape?CMP=share_btn_tw

Can I have your thoughts/advice on GoT please. I have to say I'm not keen on watching rape scenes for entertainment but I need a bit of context

I used to love Charlie Brooker and Grace Dent when they reviewed for the Guardian. I particularly remember a long running thing about what Gail Tilsley reminded people of-I think the consensus was a disappointed camel.
But anyway, here's a radical idea, why not watch it and make your own mind up? Personally (there's the key word) I love it, I actually think GRRM writes really good women, they are diverse in their varying degrees of awfulness or just trying to get on in a violent world. Just like the male characters. Anyone thinks it's all gratuitous read the Iron Crown books by Maurice Druon, based on real French medieval history and just as bloody.

I hate the violence and rape in GOT, won't watch it anymore after watching an episode where a baby was murdered, a woman raped and people set on fire. I tried again and there was a servant girl hunted for fun then fed alive to a pack to dogs.

I worry that people are becoming desensitised to the level of violence in the series. I have heard about people watching this with their DC and am shocked tbh.

Personally I think it's a brilliant programme. One of the things I like about it is that many of the most powerful characters are women and that there are female leaders, warriors and knights.

It is very violent, however, and some of the violence is occasionally sexual (although I should point out that it's not only against women), so if you find that very upsetting it might not be for you. I don't think any of the rape scenes are titillating or gratuitous and there are actually very few of them, considering the show's setting, but of course some people will always find that sort of thing hard to watch even in a non-gratuitous context. It is set in a quasi-mediaeval, brutal world in the middle of a war - it's not heroic Tolkienesque fantasy at all - and it doesn't shy away from the grimness of that world.

Minkyfluffster It's no good jumping in at random points; you have no context. You need to watch it from the beginning, because the sex and violence is all integral to the story.

There is considerably less sex after season 2.

There is a lot of gore and violence.

It is utterly fantastic.

WhatToDo - I thought I was suitably vague not to be spoiler-y (and I am talking about a season from a few years ago).

I agree that it was probably the right thing for Jon to do - ie uphold the law (although the law you quote is about what happens once sentence is passed; in the scene I am talking about, Jon does not utter a sentence). They avoided interposing our 21st century liberal sensibilities - "surely, Jon will show a bit of mercy, make it clear that disobedience will not be tolerated, next time it will definitely be death" - instead showing even nice guys have to be prepared to use force if they are to maintain respect as leader in a feudal, militaristic system.

That's part of the entertainment of GoT, inhabiting a fantasy world where the rules are different.

I love GOT, have watched since episode 1. It is full of brave, strong women even though not all of them survive. The prostitute Shay was one of my favourites, she made the best of her life choices.

DadDadDad Yes, that it is so realistic is what makes it so compelling.

I don't want to spend my spare time watching babies being murdered, people being set on fire and women raped. No amount of story line is worth it.

Minkyfluffster Like I said, you need the context.

Fair enough if you don't want to watch it, but to lambaste it when you have no context is just silly.

Interesting replies, thanks, especially that much is down to scene setting in the first episodes.

I hadn't noticed that the review was old. It came up on my twitter feed so I assumed it was recent. I didn't know the author either so it's good to have perspective.

Obviously I can just watch it but I wanted to know what to expect as I don't particularly like watching rape scenes even if they were historically common. (That's no judgement on anyone or even the programme btw; it's a viewing choice).

Anyway I appreciate the feedback. I think I will watch it for a few episodes and see. Thanks everyone.

Fair enough if it's not for you, but the only thing I would say is that GR Martin has said that he deliberately set out to show what life would have been like during those times, eg battle wasn't some glorious thing, it was messy and gruesome, men died from limbs being chopped off, in mud and their own piss and feces; it was a massively confusing mess.

Similarly, women were treated horribly and showing how bad it was means that now in s7 you can really appreciate how hard these women had to work to get to where they are

It's our favourite programme.
And 'The Hound' is my most favourite character on TV.

I have only just completely binge watched all 7 series as I refused to watch it when it was first aired, having caught sight of a disturbing scene once.

I heard some people talking about the current series and how amazing it was that I thought I'd give it another chance. Years ago I just happened to get a glimpse of a horrible scene and based my opinion on that. What I discovered was a fantastic, complicated story that has kept me hooked for weeks until I caught up with everyone else. And the disturbing scene I'd caught featured Dany, who is one of the strongest and most brilliant members of the cast. She needed her story to begin horribly, it's what makes her success so satisfying.

I still do look away if I know there's a throat cutting or similar about to happen, I don't need to see it to get the story. But, in the case of the dogs...(not the woman being chased) one of the deaths they dish out is very much welcomed as the person deserved a horrific ending!

I love it but often look away if it's too gory. The best thing about the show is the feels. Its made me cry, laugh,be on the edge of my seat and gasp in shock. I love it for that. I'm invested and I never assume someone will live just because they are a main character!

Also the production is amazing! The battles, the costumes even the opening sequence. It's so well done.

Prepare to fall down a GoT rabbit hole Assigned love your username by the way. I've just started getting into it and I'm completely hooked! DH and DS both love it but I didn't like it at first didn't really give it my full attention and whenever I looked at the screen there was either somebody naked or getting killed or both!
However I've just started watching from season 1 and am really enjoying it as pp say the nudity and sex scenes seem to calm down after season 2 and although there is still a lot of violence it's all necessary to the plot and helps you understand the characters motivations
But the best thing about it is that you notice the further you get into the series not an action or quote is wasted. Someone can make a throwaway quote in season 3 for example that's referred back to in season 6 or 7 and your reaction is 😱

I love GoT!

I think that you really need to watch more than one episode and watch them in order to totally get the story.

Yes, there are scenes that are incredibly disturbing, but they are important within the storyline.

George RR Martin writes his female characters really well - yes, each one has been through something terrible or challenging which shapes them. I see the main female characters as survivors.

When you watch the series you see an incredible story with incredibly complex characters. Yes, it's difficult viewing at times, but those scenes do make you feel so much for those characters.

DH and I have laughed, cried and cheered throughout the 7 series.

So I do think it's worth watching and I do think that the majority of the difficult to watch scenes are necessary in building the story and the feelings that you have for the characters. You'll root for some, loathe others and some you'll start out hating and be surprised about how you feel about them towards the end. It's really well written and utterly unpredictable, which, in a world of totally predictable storylines, is incredibly refreshing.

I think it's worth investing your time in the whole first series on the right order, then make up your mind from there.

I was very put off knowing the rape/violence etc and didn't start watching until very recently for the same reasons as you - I find rape scenes especially toe curling, absolutely hate them!! But honestly you really will get used to the more violent content, I can think of only 3 'rape' scenes in all 7 seasons, and none were as graphic as feared. I started the show with low expectations and we raced through all seasons in under a month! I LOVE it!! My advice is give it the first season, and if by then you aren't interested in season 2 then it's not for you. The majority of the more shocking stuff happens earlier on anyway and after that, it calms down and is very much within context. Sorry this was quite long but I do relate to those concerns and am SO glad I gave it a proper chance, it's a fantastic show, really worthy of the hype!!

I had never watched GOT. I moved in my with DP who is an avid fan so started watching from the beginning around March time in order to be caught up in time for the new series (I made it with 2 weeks to spare!!)

I'm not a person typically affected by violent or uncomfortable sexual scenes in fictional settings anyway but would suggest that you are likely to be so caught up in the fascinating storylines and portrayals that the violent scenes will either be glossed over by you in light of the bigger picture or you will be expecting them. The show is portrayed so excellently that I honestly cannot fault it! I'm looking forward to reading the books during the 2 year hiatus between the latest season and the next!

Also, just to add, starting from the scratch sounds like such a chore but as a new viewer I was begging my DP to let me watch an episode most nights as they were so captivating so I'd imagine that if you have the time you will fly through the 7 series surprisingly fast!

It's amazing, watch it!! I've just binge watched all 7 seasons in 5 weeks and want to go back and start it all over again

I was a late adopter of GoT. Watch it or not (I can understand all the arguments against), but I will warn you it is totally addictive!

Why not try the books first then. I started off as a show watcher from when it first aired and found myself twiddling my thumbs in between seasons, so i bought the books. The books don't necessarily spoil the viewing and vice versa, I am an absolute GoT nerd.

It's brilliant.
(Coming from someone who hates Star Wars, LotR, not keen on Harry Potter etc)