***Spoiler Alert***
Everyone knows that when you play the game of thrones, you either win or die. And right now, the women are winning. If any of the female characters from the show existed in the real world, I would dedicate my life (and my replica of the sword Sting) to them.
Game of Thrones (GoT) is about powerful women. The series began with men dominating each of the realms of Westeros, but they’ve since been foolishly killing off one another, instead of focusing on the one goal they all should have (protecting themselves from the White Walkers). If it weren’t for the women — and Jon Snow — the entire GoT world would be up in ice.
The women in the show aren’t only cleaning up the men’s messes, but constantly becoming stronger and more powerful.
Consider Cersei Lannister; much of the plot progression is her doing, what with killing her husband, denying her husband’s dying wish that Lord Stark act as king and then putting the High Sparrow in power. She is by far the most dangerous character. Her children were the only people that made her human, and now that they’re all dead (her fault) there’s nothing to hold her back from unleashing her rage.
Then there is Daenerys Stormborn of house Targaryen, the first of her name, the Unburnt, Khaleesi of the great grass sea, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the first men, Queen of Meereen, the Breaker of Chains, and the Mother of Dragons (with each conquer she gains an epithet, so clearly she is doing something right.) Daenerys, who was once nothing more than the property of her brother who sold her to Khal Drogo, has come a long way. She is dangerous, beautiful and dedicated to establishing justice and freeing slaves. Her love of the people has earned her their respect and loyalty. Across the sea taking root in Slaver’s Bay, the Rulers of Westeros have overlooked the Dragon Queen and now she’s finally set sail. Winter is coming and so is the Mother of Dragons.
Arya Stark has always been tough as nails. But we’ve seen her grow from a young girl gifted her first sword by her brother, to a bloodthirsty murderer who grins as she slits the throat of the second to last person on her list (of people to die; Cersei is the only one left). She was able to escape countless men who wanted to use her or kill her, learn to fight blind, and give up on life, going to serve the many faces of God and become a girl with no name. But the girl’s name is Arya Stark of Winterfell and she’s going home.
Sansa Stark… Poor Sansa… She’s always had the worst luck with guys. First, she was betrothed to Joffrey, the sadistic young king. Then she was forced to marry Tyrion Lannister, who is very smart, but if you know who he is then you know he’s not exactly a 14 or 15-year-old girl’s ideal man. Then, when her husband (the marriage was never consummated) was accused of murder, she was kidnapped by a dangerous man who was trying to save her but then ended up having her marry possibly the most evil (and psychotic) character on the show. And yet, she now has Lord Baelish of the Vale wrapped around her little finger, an army willing to obey her orders and has become stronger in her resilience.
Brienne of Tarth is easily the best fighter in the show, except for maybe (her hopefully soon-to-be love interest?) Jaime Lannister. She has more honor in one finger than any other man in the show has in their body. Except Jon. Jon is awesome too. But still not as awesome as the women.
Each woman is masterfully created. Each is complicated and fascinating and beautiful in their own right. Each outsmarts the man standing in her way. It’s not often in a syndicated fantasy series that female characters are given so much attention and individuality. If GoT isn’t about powerful women, why is the smartest man in the world now loyally serving the Mother of Dragons? Why is it that weak men will never rule Dorne again? Why is there a queen without a king on the Iron Throne?
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