The “Queendom of Thrones” panel was one of several panels that started off the fan-led convention Con of Thrones in Dallas on Friday, May 25, and as soon as I read the description online, I knew I wanted to be there. I strolled in after picking up my badge and was blown away by all the discussion from both the panelists and the fans. Can I get a “yassss queen” for all my gals?
Good morning. Going to drink coffee and then talk about Women in #GameOfThrones with @LaurenSarner @kimrrenfro and @kippinsk at #ConofThrones
— Daphne the Pirate Fairy 🏴🧚♀️⚔️ (@daphneolive) May 25, 2018
Very pleased with my morning!
Come see us at The Queendom of Thrones panel at 10am! pic.twitter.com/mnjcBOPlI1
The “Queendom of Thrones” panel was about the discussion of the depiction of women characters on the show. The four panelists were Kim Renfro from INSIDER, Daphne Olive from Common Room Radio, Lauren Sarner from The New York Post, and lawyer-by-day-TV-watcher-by-night Kristine Kippins; they discussed the complexity and challenges of loving Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire as a woman in fandom.
The panelists kicked off with this question: Who is your favorite woman on Game of Thrones? It’s so hard to pick just one, though!
In terms of character arc, @LaurenSarner says her favorite woman on #GameOfThrones is Sansa. #ConofThrones pic.twitter.com/kcfL3vc3y5
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
"I love how she's the only true knight in the series, even though she doesn't have that title," @kimrrenfro says about her favorite woman character Brienne of Tarth. #ConofThrones pic.twitter.com/fEUh3SVNmg
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
Favorite book character? Daenarys. Favorite show character? Sansa! Says @daphneolive! #ConofThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
Daphne brought up a good point about Cersei Lannister. Her character is so evil but yet so complex. The only thing that remotely redeemed her was her love for her three children, but since they’re all gone by the end of season 6, her character had become more and more villainous. Being Queen of the Seven Kingdoms ain’t easy and her portrayal ain’t easy to grasp at times either.
"I want a woman who will be manipulative and vicious and complex about it. Until recently, that level of complexity was the domain for male characters," @daphneolive says about Cersei. #ConofThrones #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/cu3u69FWGm
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
The panelists segued into the subject of rape and how this has been portrayed by the showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss for Daenarys, Cersei, and Sansa. Both Daenarys and Sansa experienced marital rape on their wedding nights respectively, and Jaime raped Cersei in front of Joffrey’s rotting body. While rape is unfortunately something that does happen in real life, were any of these scenes and the way they were shot necessary? The panelists discussed this.
Panelists critique how #GameOfThrones showrunners have portrayed the women characters' storylines and rape scenes and how alot of scenes are unnecessary. #ConofThrones #QueendomOfThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
"Who do the showrunners think is their audience???" @kimrrenfro says. "There's so many incredible women in the #GameOfThrones community." #ConofThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
@kippinsk points out that alot of ppl call #GameOfThrones "rape-y." "I understand it triggers ppl, & it shouldn't be a form of entertainment, but the show isn't just rape-y. There's politics, there's complicated, strong female characters too." #ConofThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
To transition to a more positive topic, the panelists answered this question: What was their favorite scene from the show?
Favorite scene? @kimrrenfro says the scene in S6 where Brienne sworns to Sansa that she would protect her. "It's beautiful." We cried so hard 😭. #ConofThrones #GameOfThrones
— Geek Gals @ #ConOfThrones (@geekgalsco) May 25, 2018
She unnerved the hell out of Tywin in that scene with that unbroken eye contact. Who else can say the same?! #conofthrones #conofthrones2018 #queendomofthrones https://t.co/ZaWpEwEzNK
— Kristine at #ConOfThrones (@kippinsk) May 25, 2018
We loved live-tweeting this panel! Thank you to the panelists Kim, Lauren, Daphne, and Kristine for holding it. A fellow convention goer tweeted exactly our thoughts.
The Queendom of Thrones panel is 🔥🔥🔥 #ConOfThrones
— Melanie Unruh (@melunwritten) May 25, 2018
Featured image credit: ChinLin Pan/Geek Gals
