Entertainment, Television

Game of Nudes

We’ve just had episode 5 of Game of Thrones fifth season and, as expected, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. However, there are a lot of people who are really, really, really against it because of all the nudity and the not always girl-boy sex and violence. And I kind of get it, sure, but at the same time, I don’t. I’ve got a real issue with people trying to represent alternative worlds or even old worlds as being prim and proper because there is virtually no way that this was 100% the case all the time. It’s absolutely for certain that people – especially the royals – messed around with each other and had lots of bedroom fun (except Lord of the Rings but let’s not go there).

Now, please don’t think I’m one to condone sexism, especially degradation of women because I’m not; however, I have zero problems with GoT. I don’t feel that the nudity is unnecessary , I don’t feel like it’s shoved in there for no reason and I don’t see it as obscene and insulting. Just last night, one of the rising characters was talking to a girl that he frequently interacted with in the bedroom and both were naked. It’s relevant to the story: it tells you that they’ve just had sex and she is clearly not happy his engagement news. It sets the scene and gives the audience context before the camera intrudes on their intimate moment and gives you the impression that this is all the poor girl has been thinking about while making love to the man she desires. It evokes sympathy for both characters and shows them at their most vulnerable as they bare all.

What is key for me with all the nudity is that it’s always done in a beautiful way, with a different array of bodies. The camera cherishes each person’s form with tinted light accompanied by music that is always soft and aesthetically delicious to the eye. If nudity and sex were not such prominent features, I can’t imagine that I would take the show as seriously. It adds a mature dynamic to the show, reminding you that it’s for adults and to some extent, separates it from the clutching hands of teenagers who jumped on the Breaking Bad bandwagon. It makes me feel as though I’m watching a piece of adult art, not some cheap smut as some people have deemed it. And, really people, aren’t we in a modern world where we can appreciate the human body without blushing scarlet each time at a woman’s breasts? We’re all about respecting each person’s body in 2015 and being keen to represent people fairly without judgement. I will give it that most GoT ladies are skinny beauties with few flaws; but let’s think about the time period and the setting. People aren’t exactly popping for a McDonald’s after work or grabbing some chocolate from the fridge when they please. The nature of the period is starvation, a civilisation in the grasp of war and conservatism, or whatever you might call it.

Doing a degree in film made me realise that pretty people do appear more on camera. Those who are considered attractive will probably land a job over somebody who isn’t the filmmaker’s idea of beauty and I agree, it’s not fair. That’s just how film and television is made. They’re consumed by the masses through the eyes which is why pretty naked people appear so much on our screens. And I have no issue with it. As long as it’s relevant to the story, otherwise it becomes a poorly scripted porno.

I’m looking forward to the next episode and the next and the next. It’s a great set up and something that’s storming through television history with full force. But, as usual, critics offended by a woman’s breasts are flying about casting their curses on anything controversial.