Judging from most of his progress, dragon house will try to excel in approach as well as in ambition, Game of Thrones. Which, of course, is almost inevitable. The series tells about the golden age of the Targaryens, the most powerful and formidable rulers in the entire bloody history of Poniente (Westeros). In addition to meticulous exploration of the fictional continent imagined by George R. R. Martin. And that includes his brutality, his rudeness, and all the vision of violence that made the premise of the production that preceded it famous.
But despite everything, the series is a controversial moment. The series will try to take the formula of the original story into a new dimension. Make it darker, tougher and more violent. After all, the family with dragon fire in their veins endured a devastating and long period of intervening wars full of brutality. And much of his strength was supported by the horrors he could inflict. The point that showrunners Ryan County D Mikhail Spochnik they want to show in detail. In addition, being much more explicit than it ever was – or could be – Game of Thrones.
Besides, dragon house, will face a very different audience than its predecessor. The one whose reasoning and experiences are much more concrete than the one who was shocked by wild scenes Game of Thrones. In this case, the HBO production will have to deal with more than just the development of the plot or production.
At the same time, he will do so with a critical eye on the resources he uses in his story. How will viewers react to the already predictable scenes of sex without consent, outright violence, bloodshed? What will be the limit of the exploitation of the cruelty of female characters, a complex element in Martin’s work?
Contradictions come and go: dragon house at the center of the hurricane
A few weeks ago, Miguel Sapochnik caused considerable discomfort when he said in an interview that there would be sexual violence on the program. Brutal and outspoken character too. Only under the new type of “analysis and context”. In fact, the producer insisted that it was “an essential moment” to understand the plot. And he pointed out that the cruelties that women were subjected to during difficult times cannot be “ignored.”
Which, of course, made the specialized press think about what kind of historical moment we can talk about. As well as Game of Thronesseries dragon house The action takes place on a fictional continent. One in which, in addition, magic flourishes as a real element and there are dragons as military weapons.
And although Sapochnik was clearly referring to the medieval setting of the plot, his explanation seemed to be a mild excuse for a larger problem. Especially when the last seasons Game of Thronesthey faced public discussion about the use of sexual violence to support the conspiracy.
From the non-consensual sex Daenerys Targaryen underwent during the show’s first romanticized season to the rape of Sansa Stark in a traumatic explicit scene. Women in Westeros weren’t just the target of a scenario in which brutality took precedence over immediate effect. At the same time, it caused controversy about the perception of sexual aggression as a way of developing her characters. By the eighth season, the show’s scenes of nudity and violent sex had all but disappeared from the storyline.
But the controversy surrounding this story continued. Especially in the scene where we see Sansa Stark confess that being raped “made her stronger”. And also Daenerys Targaryen, insisting on her love and the fullness of the bond that connected her to Khal Drogo. Time and time again, the notion that the abuse of women on the show was considered necessary became the focus of public discussion.
The dragon is about to fly over the controversy
So Sapochnik’s claims at least contradict early descriptions dragon house. By the time the series began filming, there were comments from the team involved that the new story would focus more on storytelling. And especially I would leave aside sexual violence and gratuitous violence. But it was clear at Comic-Con 2022 that the latest exploration of Westeros was going to be a lot more raw than one might think.
Particularly after writer George R. R. Martin again insisted that misogyny was “historically accurate”. This, coupled with Sapochnik’s statements, brought attention to the perception of women and sex in production to the fore. Later, Sarah Hess, executive producer, was forced to clarify the words of the team.
And that included pointing out that, unlike Game of Thrones, one would be much more careful when analyzing the idea of consensual sex and rape. both in the book fire and blood as in the series, Queen Alycent Hightower is a teenager who married Viserys I Targaryen.
dragon house and more sensitive audience
Hesse was quick to clarify that the story would try to avoid the fact that the series’ female lead roles “seemed coerced and manipulated”. Which doesn’t seem to have happened. In fiction, the regent’s second wife seems to be used as a pawn by her powerful father to influence the elderly regent of Westeros. Which includes a marriage between the two, in which the significant age difference is evident.
The controversy continued. Matt Smith, who played Prince Daemon Targaryen, admitted that rolling stone that there was “abundant sex” on the show. And he confirmed that it wasn’t always consensual. And despite the fact that he later clarified the information, stating “intimacy coordinators” in order to avoid “excesses”, the paragraph caused concern. Later Esq.the actor delved into the subject again and acknowledged that sexual assault will still be a part of Poniente’s world.
Discussions, dragons and debates in Westeros
In parallel, the series goes through another awkward moment. The diversity of its cast. Game of Thrones it had no racial characters. In fact, the idea of recruiting Caucasian actors was advocated for “loyalty to the cause.” The world of George R. R. Martin takes place for the most part in places similar to Denmark and Norway. At least that’s what the writer said. But for dragon housethe topic has changed and created more problems.
Steve Toussaint, the African-English actor who played Corlis Velaryon, the Tidemaster and husband of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, has faced online bullying. A significant number of toxic fans found it unnecessary to have a black actor in the cast. But apart from Toussaint, racial diversity in dragon house is the first subject of discussion. Once again, the theme that the action takes place on a fictional continent has stirred up old questions about the plot.
Is there historical accuracy in a fantasy world? The show’s producers don’t seem to think so, or at least not strictly. And now in the composition of the house of Westeros there are representatives of different ethnic groups. Something that put the most puristic readers in front of a film adaptation of the cult story.
What questions do you have to solve? dragon house? The series will likely have to compare itself to the long shadow of its predecessor. But also in terms of a much more critical audience than Game of Thrones ever had. Which, ultimately, could be the starting point of a large-scale conflict around one of the most anticipated series of the year.
