SPOILERS FOR GAME OF THRONES SEASON EIGHT EPISODE FOUR!
YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!
After the lack of lighting nearly derailed the Battle Of Winterfell, we were all hoping for a return to form (and more light) for the next episode of Game of Thrones. While there was a plenty of light, it fell woefully short on the return to form part.
But the part that caused the most controversy among viewers was the scene between Sansa Stark and Sandor “The Hound” Clegane where they discuss her sexual assault from way back in season five at the hands of Ramsay Bolton, which is arguably the most criticised moment in the show’s history.
In the scene, the Hound suggests that Sansa could’ve avoided all of the abuse had she left with him early on in the series. In response, she says, “Without Littlefinger and Ramsay and the rest, I would have stayed a little bird all my life.”
Following the episode’s airing, Jessica Chastain, an avid feminist and women’s rights activist, slammed GoT for its spin on sexual assault and character development on her Twitter, writing:
“Rape is not a tool to make a character stronger. A woman doesn’t need to be victimized in order to become a butterfly. The #littlebird was always a Phoenix. Her prevailing strength is solely because of her. And her alone.”
Rape is not a tool to make a character stronger. A woman doesn’t need to be victimized in order to become a butterfly. The #littlebird was always a Phoenix. Her prevailing strength is solely because of her. And her alone.#GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/TVIyt8LYxI
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) May 7, 2019
Following Jessica’s criticism of Sansa’s scene, a debate was sparked as many people shared their thoughts about the show’s representation of assault and its role in the character’s development.
Using rape and/or abuse to demonstrate a woman's strength or whatever is like the laziest writing there is. Also it doesn't work that way.
— Lauren Pleska ?️? (@RadFemme74) May 7, 2019
It’s also not a tool to make her weaker. I’m a survivor of rape and haven’t let it make me lesser or weaker. I feel like it isn’t what made her or anyone stronger but when it happens we can either let it (like everything else bad) make or break us.
— Jordan Uhlease (@Missmonami23) May 7, 2019
I get your sentiments, but would she have realized that strength if not for the tragic events that happened. Everything shapes you. Good and bad.
— Nadine (@Rosannasfriend) May 7, 2019
she wasn't saying that at all. She was saying, THIS horrible stuff happened to me and instead of crawling in a hole of misery She choose to let it make her stronger.
— Lizzy Trzaska (@OneEyedLizzy) May 7, 2019
Sansa thrived DESPITE her trauma, not BECAUSE of it. That's what is frustrating about the scene and what so many people are missing here.
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) May 7, 2019
dan & david making sansa say that she needed to be abused in order to grow up is such bullshit,, a woman doesnt have to experience rape to develop as a character get out of here with your pathetic attempts to excuse your unnecessary violence against women
— lauren (@sansastcrk) May 6, 2019
that exchange between The Hound and Sansa was definitely written by a man. For the millionth time, rape and abuse of women isn't just character development or a way to show a female character has matured
— Amy Collier (@Amy_Corp) May 6, 2019
Unsurprisingly, this has made fans worried about whether the show will stick the landing in its last two episodes. Having hit a new low with its most recent episode, the only way is up from here.