Born out of the books of George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones took the world by storm when it was adapted as a show on HBO. But apart from its dragons and dangerous battles, it also showcased some of the most brutal storytelling out there, some of which have sparked major controversies over the years. One particular scene in the series was bashed not just by the public but also by politicians.
A Democratic senator openly called out the show and its content, which obviously didn’t sit well with creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
Game of Thrones’ creators respond to Senator Claire McCaskill’s harsh criticism
Game of Thrones can easily be one of the most thought-provoking cinematic pieces out there. But despite this, there is no denying that it also has several questionable sequences attached to it. Senator Claire McCaskill wasted no time calling out such scenes, particularly those depicting unnecessary sexual violence. She expressed her frustration by posting on X.
Ok, I’m done Game of Thrones.Water Garden, stupid.Gratuitous rape scene disgusting and unacceptable.It was a rocky ride that just ended.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) May 19, 2015
Her strong words only added fuel to the ongoing debates surrounding the show’s portrayal of violence, especially against women.
While the senator was not happy with the series, the creators of the show have come out in defense of their storytelling choices. David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, in an interview with Idaho Public Television, firmly dismissed McCaskill’s comments. Benioff said:
We’ve somehow survived Senator McCaskill’s defection. I just fundamentally disagree. I think the idea that depicting a brutal crime indicates endorsement of that crime is ridiculous. And that’s all I’m going to say. I disagree.
Weiss took a broader stance on the issue and stated that showcasing violent events in a raw and unfiltered way, rather than sanitizing them, was a more responsible choice. He also added that the representation of violence is meant to make the audience feel uncomfortable and horrified.
The creators further explained that their storytelling aligned with both the source material and historical realities. Weiss emphasized that they “tried not to put it in a cartoony place because that’s not what the books did.”
While they stood by their creative choices, Game of Thrones still remains one of the most critically acclaimed and widely discussed shows, despite ongoing debates.
The reason why Emilia Clarke feared getting fired from Game of Thrones
It’s almost impossible to imagine someone else playing Daenerys Targaryen apart from actress Emilia Clarke. She brought a unique realism to the character, but there was a time in her life when she feared she might not be able to continue with the role. The actress had a major medical emergency just as the first season of the show aired in 2011.
In a Page Six interview she did in 2019, she detailed that she had a life-threatening brain aneurysm, which led to a type of stroke. When she was just 24 years old, she collapsed in her washroom, and after being rushed to the hospital, she learned that she had suffered a stroke caused by bleeding in her brain.
She underwent surgery, after which she temporarily lost the ability to speak. However, much to everyone’s relief, she recovered within a week and was able to return to work.
But things were far from over. During a routine scan in 2013, doctors found another aneurysm. She was also informed that her chances of survival were low if she didn’t undergo immediate surgery.
While she recovered, she remained deeply worried, especially since the show required actors to be in good physical health for demanding scenes. Despite these challenges, she continued with the show until the very end.
You can watch all seasons of Game of Thrones on Prime Video.
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