A self-labeled feminist has actually complained about the change, not realizing feminism is to blame: http://indignantfeministrants.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/why-hbo-why-why-ruin-a-game-of-thrones/
So I tuned into the HBO show, expecting to be pleased. And I was, for the most part. That is, until the scene of Khal Drogo’s and Daenerys Targaryen’s wedding night, where what unfolds (which I swore I had saw a clip for, I think off of Jezebel, but can’t find anymore) is a rape.
...
Today, I went back and started re-reading the book, and when I got to this scene, I was shocked. Not only does Khal Drogo spend an extensive amount of time trying to comfort Daenerys, but he actually asks her for consent. Yes, indeed. He explicitly asks her, “No?” when about to begin penetrative intercourse and she explicitly provides her consent, saying, “Yes.”
Now the book purist in me is DOUBLY angry. Screenwriters, you took a touching–even tender scene, and bungled it into a rape. Why would you do this!? What is up with the terrible obsession with the racialized rape fantasy? I’m disturbed and aggravated by this change. It would have been so much better to see their relation played out consensually. But no. Khal Drogo has to be even more “barbarian-ized.” Good job furthering the Other-ing of people based on the color of their skin.
Oh, right, because this is a race issue.
edit:
A rather lively commenter had the following to say:
I’ve only started watching this series, but with all the nudity and extreme violence, it’s quite telling that feminist’s rape hysteria would ruin an otherwise wonderful scene. These crazy feminists want to make all sex into rape, and to even suggest that, yes, even a woman forced into a marriage might CONSENT to it and ENJOY it in the end is too much for their little brains to handle. Of COURSE they must demonize male sexuality, because that’s what feminists are all about – demonizing boys, men, and masculinity in order to gain power for their insane worldview.
Thanks for posting this article. I Google searched it to find out if anyone else was paying attention. I’ll be posting this at Reddit.com/r/MensRights.
It seems you’re a bit confused – not surprising for a feminist, of course. The reason they ruined this scene is precisely due to feminists – can you imagine how much they would have protested if they had displayed Daenarys *consenting* to a forced marriage? They would have said the screenwriters were all “rape apologists”! And THAT is why the screenwriters ruined a perfectly good scene. FEMINISM.
Here’s another example of what feminists would just *love* to define as rape: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSHinT0i6G4
How far our society has fallen since even 1980. Thanks, feminism!
I couldn't agree more.
another edit:
I thought I'd share a few more choice quotations from the thread:
Feminism has created a culture where male sexuality is demonized and women are always victims, where all heterosexual sex is considered rape. It’s that simple. If you don’t understand that, you don’t understand feminism.
and
I really do think it’s sad that we have so many people today who can’t connect the dots. How could someone not realize that today’s feminized society would react with anger if a woman was shown to enjoy sex with a man who has basically forced marriage upon her? What, women can enjoy sex even when they’re not in control, even if they were forced into it? What, a woman would actually start to fall in love and become the willing sextoy of a man who forced her to marry him? But I thought all women were strong and independent, and never like to be dominated? She has to be a victim, not a willing participant, because according to feminism, all women are victims, and all men are perpetrators.
Feminism certainly is a contributor, but it's not entirely to blame. More on this in my new article, Patriarchy and the low-born male.
