The expression “it was death announced” has never been more appropriate when we observe the reactions to the longed-for moment that Blood and Fire fans named “Cheese and Blood”. One of the most violent scenes in the book – and which marks the bloody escalation of the Targaryens’ civil war – was supposed to be what the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones was: shocking and suffocating.

It was not.

Anyone who is part of the GOT and House of the Dragon fandom is already used to the bad mood of this universe, everything is a matter of creating controversy, so it would be virtually impossible to please everyone given the gigantic expectations of this sequel.

This is because, if we don’t pay attention, it once again appears that actions are caused by misunderstandings. But would it really have been? Daemon demands that Cheese and Blood “kill Aemond Targaryen” because that means “a son for a son”. Clear words and command. But we don’t see how he responds to the possibility, which was actually the true one, about what to do if they don’t find the prince.

Thus, when the pair enter Aemond’s room and don’t find him, it “seems” that they decide to improvise and look for him around the castle. The series does not clarify, but we can consider that it was pure bad luck – and not a strategic decision – that they found Halaena with the children and killed Jareherys. And that’s not even the main problem!

What revolted us, in a torturous and even shameful way, was the lack of violence that we expected to see. The suspense was well constructed, with the killers passing without any problems through the corridors of the Red Keeping, which was strangely unguarded and deserted.

The fact that Aegon had such little regard for his sister-wife was expected, but not even Otto Hightower ensured that his great-grandson was safe was quite strange. Oh, sure, it could be Ser Criston Cole’s job, but he was “busy” with Alicent Hightower, leaving the Queen and her heirs vulnerable to attack.

The “problem” that seems to be chosen as the biggest that we have seen is in the adaptation of what is in the book. As we expected, they psychologically tortured Helaena for a while until she gave in to the command to “choose” which male child she would hand over to be killed. She had three, but we’ve only seen two so far. Forcing a mother to decide which child she will sacrifice to save others only to see the one who wanted to be saved be brutally executed in front of her anyway is almost unspeakable.

But in House of the Dragon, the queen even tries to bribe the criminals to save the children, yet she correctly points to Jaeherys when forced to identify him. Then, she sees the beginning of the attack and runs with her daughter in her arms, experiencing a second trauma when she catches her mother having sex with Criston Cole while she is experiencing all this violence. It will be impossible to “save” the mental health of this tragic princess.

The negative wave for a scene that is still brutal, but less graphic than the Red Wedding, has been huge. It would be impossible to surpass what is effectively one of the historic moments in the saga and in the history of television in general. It was with this episode that Game of Thrones gained global popularity as a phenomenon and overcoming it would always be complex.

What the Red Wedding Represented

The “event” is mentioned in the books A Song of Ice and Fire, but without the details that the adaptation showed with so much foresight. It takes place in the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords, and is a brutal betrayal orchestrated by Walder Frey and Roose Bolton against House Stark. Robb Stark, his mother Catelyn Stark, and many of his followers are murdered during a wedding banquet that was supposed to be a time of celebration and unity. The betrayal occurs during the marriage of Edmure Tully (Robb’s uncle) to one of Walder Frey’s daughters.

The passage is a clear example of the breaking of hospitality oaths, a sacred tradition in Westeros where hosts swear to protect their guests. Violating this tradition is seen as one of the most despicable acts one can commit, and the death of Robb Stark and many of his followers marks a significant shift in the balance of power in Westeros. House Stark, which was on the rise, suffered a devastating blow, and House Lannister, along with its allies, consolidated its power.

Why It’s So Iconic

The brutality and surprise of the event shocked readers and viewers alike, a classic example of the subversion of expectations that George R.R. Martin is known for. After all, some of the protagonists are killed unexpectedly, which is rare in many fantasy works.

The scene is incredibly emotional and well-written, and the cast – especially Michelle Fairley – had a worldwide effect with the reaction from everyone.

the public that to this day feels vivid. The stabbing of a pregnant woman, people being beheaded in every frame of the scene, and the desperate reaction of Catelyn Stark, who goes so far as to kill Walder Frey’s young wife in an act of desperation before being killed, is particularly impactful. It was what was expected from Cheese and Blood, but in comparison, it was fast and “clean”. Are we worse for it?

Pesquisar

Pesquisar