GoT is Over

The “Game of Thrones” 8-season series produced stunningly by HBO, based on George RR Martin’s books (until the final season or two, which were scripted by the HBO producers when Martin didn’t keep up with his writing), was one of the most successful productions in TV history, and the way the story ended was one of the most controversial, eliciting a campaign with a million signatures to demand that HBO do the ending episodes over again.

Professional critics have pointed to the poor writing and rushed wrap-up as the main problems leading to viewer dissatisfaction.  There were gaps in the narrative that were unfilled-in.  Things happened that weren’t adequately explained.  Characters that viewers cared about were abandoned.

The amazing thing for me, far away here in South East Asia, is how this entertainment industry issue assumed the stature of an important world event on a par with Trump’s impeachment, India’s election of a right-wing government, Theresa May’s resignation as Prime Minister of Great Britain, and the US-China trade war.  Assuming that this TV story was at least potentially as important as the commentary about it inferred, I have tried to list the most significant criticisms of the way Game of Thrones ended:

1. Once again strong women were thwarted.  There were many female candidates of promise to be a dominate leader, and every single one of them was consigned either to death or some sort of oblivion.  The series lapsed back into old misogynistic territory. 
2. No solutions to vast socio-political conflicts were ever considered except horrendous violence and massive slaughter.  Even maneuvering and intrigue by various palace factions always erupted into war.  The solution to any particular war itself was consistently the murder of the leader.  The series never even hinted at a new scenario for resolution of conflict.  It chided us we are hopeless as people.
3. Racism prevailed.  The world as seen by Game of Thrones was not racially diverse to begin with, but there were racial exceptions on the margins.  One culture was similar to Mongolians of the time of the Khans, and another thriving civilization was more Persian or Ottoman.  But they were stereotyped as savage in various ways, and then somewhat (temporarily) redeemed by being led by the fairest Caucasian of all.  The series did nothing to help us resolve our penchant for dividing ourselves on racial lines.
4. Oligarchy was assumed.  Throughout the long story, ordinary, non-elite, plain-blooded people were fodder.  No republican emerged.  No rebellion against tyranny was undertaken if not (as rarely happened) led by someone high-born and entitled.  The lesson is, “That’s how it’s always been,” even though it has not.  GoT insists the trajectory back to nobility-in-charge is inevitable.

Squandered! Such a vast opportunity to improve the world’s vision of its possibilities, wasted!