over sexed media makes me so angry (game of thrones)

[rocket1111child]

Soz in advanced, i've been looking for a place to rant about this for a while.

A lot of people like the Game of Thrones tv show apparently, one time I decided to watch it. It's actually a pretty good series, with a good story line and a decent budget to make everything look really good, but the thing that drives me mad is the sex scenes like every fricken five minutes. They're not even inferred subtly like in other shows, but really in your face. It made me feel super awkward like it was porn.

I watched it till the end of the 1st season (like I said, it was a good show and slightly addictive), but it made me so angry. Furious actually. I don't think it was just the sex that pissed me off, but also the violence nature of the scenes such as rape and objectification of women. I know it's supposed to be a medieval story (but with dragons and zombies), and horrible shit like that probably did happen, but in this current modern world, I don't like the glorification of such behaviours on mainstream media, especially when people are still working hard to liberate women's rights and the such.

Omg, this is real rant, huh. Didn't mean to get so emotional, but it really pissed me off. The thing is, it was a really good story, that I wanted to watch more past season 1, but figured that my sanity would be much healthier by stopping. (Which it is).

It's true that sex is in the media all the time, but is there anything specific that ticks you off too?

Also, anyone have any suggestions of any good (acey) tv shows?

[Vega91]

That's what stopped me from watching GoT, which sucks because I love fantasy. Though even one of my very sexual friends has also stopped watching the show for the same reason, so it's not just an ace thing. Another person did say the sex scenes dropped off after Season 1, though I can't confirm or deny that.

I can almost ignore sex scenes but it's the objectifying and violent scenes that piss me off, to the point I can't enjoy the whole show.

[Hobbes!]

I think it's completely unfair to call it glorification. And it is entirely supposed to be an adult show - one of the reasons I like Game of Thrones (And the books more so) is that it's not preaching at me and lets me decide who the villains are for myself

I get why some aces can't put up with the show. I think for the most part the sex and nudity has a point to it - there tends to be one or two scenes in each season that simply don't, and believe me, it annoys me (Get on with the plot!). Game of Thrones has a really dense plot in the source material, so it always annoys me to see five minutes wasted on titty for the sake of titty.

As far as I'm, concerned, this holds true of all media. Sex being used as a substitute for a decent story is lazy and irritating

[holdenyraphony]

sex is in the media a LOT. I looooveee game of thrones but I also don't stay sex-repulsed ALL the time. so sometimes I'm okay with it, but yeah sometimes I'm like "okay... that's.... that's enough.... stop it..." I think it depends on who I'm watching it with, like if I'm by myself I'll roll my eyes and just wait it out, and try and pay attention to the political goings on that are weirdly important in the sexual bits of GoT, but if I'm with other people, I'll start fidgeting and look away or pretend to text someone or full on leave the room. I guess mostly I'd love to see shows where sex isn't SUCH A HUGE DEAL. y'know? though (and game of thrones spoiler here) they later have a pretty canon asexual character who is rumoured to be gay and then he states instead "I have no desire at all for anyone, I never have." and I just remember pausing it and almost crying because there are very limited asexual characters that aren't like ??? jokes?? and some people were offended because he's a eunuch, but that has nothing to do with his sexuality he even says "before the incident I had no desire" and there's another eunuch character who is clearly sexually interested in a female character, so that criticism of it doesn't seem valid.

[Tarfeather]

I don't like the glorification of such behaviours on mainstream media,

I've never watched the series, but I've read a bit in the books. The descriptions of the characters in the books were very unlikeable, I think the author specifically painted them that way so that you would not sympathize with any of these people. Now, I have no idea why you would want to create a story about horrible people and horrible things happening to these horrible people, but maybe some people are into that? I know I'm not, which is why I dropped the books. Anyway, my point is, the books certainly never meant to glorify any such behaviour, and if the series doesn't get this across, then that's just another case of really shady interpretations of sound source material.

Other than that.. TV series are expensive to produce, so they will almost always reflect the tastes of the majority of people. If you want a good story, I suggest to pick up a book instead. :)

[Maelstrom_17]

Well, you've go to understand, in the majority of countries worldwide, sex sells. I mean, it can be used to make you buy/watch/purchase pretty much anything if you aren't ace, from cigarettes, to burgers, or movies like Fifty Shades of Grey that have no plot whatsoever.

[Guest]

Yes, sex just sells. I don't mind sex scenes in movies except porns.

[holdenyraphony]

Well, you've go to understand, in the majority of countries worldwide, sex sells. I mean, it can be used to make you buy/watch/purchase pretty much anything if you aren't ace, from cigarettes, to burgers, or movies like Fifty Shades of Grey that have no plot whatsoever.

I KNOW. the sex/marketing thing is sooo laughable. like, I enjoy bodies, I think they're beautiful and awesome. but a half naked person trying to sell me things? nah. good try. but it is not working.

[Schrecken]

I've only seen a single episode of the show (and I really wasn't paying much attention to it, the tv was just on in the room) and in that episode there was no sex or nudity, and the violence was no worse than in anything else I like to watch. But I do know that my mom had tried to get into the show when it first came out (she is into the medieval stuff big time) and she gave it up pretty quickly due to the violence and rape. She said it was a good show but she just couldn't stomach that stuff.

I like fantasy movies and tv shows, so I know I'd probably like GoT for that aspect of it, but I am loathe to try and bother with it because of that stuff (the sex and rape, nudity doesn't bother me, and I'm not averse to a fair amount of violence).

Personally I find it totally unnecessary to show all the "gory details", especially for sensitive stuff like rape scenes. Consensual sex scenes are one thing; I don't like them and don't see any point in them (unless they server to further the plot) but many people do like them. But considering that many women do get raped in real life, it is IMO unwise and insensitive to put such things into a show like this that people watch for entertainment because that could trigger many viewers. In a porn it's one thing - rape fantasies, forced sex, whatever - but people watch porn movies for one and only reason, and they know what they are going to be getting. A movie or tv show can infer that a character is/has been raped to continue the plot w/o graphically showing it.

And even violence can get old after a while; how many times do you need to see flying heads and splattering blood? IMO if you get too much of that stuff you run the risk of making the movie or tv show into satire or camp, where none of it is taken seriously, sort of like a horror comedy. A good example of that IMO are the Final Destination movies - though intended as being serious, I find parts of them to be quite humorous simply because the mayhem is so over the top.

[Hobbes!]

To be fair, HBO does give a laundry list of warnings before the start of the show.

[.,.]

Thing about Game of Thrones, it's realistic in a humanistic sense - and they don't care to leave neither sex or violence out of that. Guess it comes to show, no matter what side you're on, no matter what gender, no matter their intentions - they're all fucking. Now, Martin has also included non-sexualised characters, like Brienne of Tarth. It's just realistic, it shows what's real. To be honest it does make me uncomfortable, as an asexual, but I bear no grudge - they're just displaying a reality.

[scarletlatitude]

With the sex and the violence on that show, I'm surprised that the FCC lets it happen.

I am a Game of Thrones fan. I like it because it's not a normal plot. There is no "good guy" who is fighting a "bad guy". Everyone is equally human. I think it does do a good job of being realistic. Not everyone will live. Not everyone will have a good life. Even people have to fight to survive, even if our fighting is with words. And all of that really hooks me in. The sex doesn't bother me anymore. I just ignore it.

At least they also show homosexual love and asexual characters.

I've really never seen a show with that kind of sex so... I can't think of any other examples.

[rocket1111child]

I used to fast forward past the sex scenes, but then it got annoying when they started explaining plot points during it. Strangely enough, all the blood and gore doesn't bother me at all, it's just the sex scenes. It's interesting to see that some of you guys aren't affected by the sex scenes at all. I guess I'm just sensitive.

[Barylambda]

Never watched Game of Thrones, doesn't really interest me. I just wish they didn't have so much sex crap in my news! I want to read about world events without having to go through gratuitous stories that are not newsworthy.

[Tiffanyy]

I'm like you, I can't stand the sexual scenes in GoT. I don't think it's necessary for sex scenes to be that explicit. It would be just fine if they just insinuate, because that kind of scenes are not an important part of the plot. Though I underestand that they do it that way because sex sells.

Regardless, I will keep watching it because I find the story very interesting.

[colorfulgirl]

I've never seen any episode of that but I've heard about it! I think that many people (not only asexuals) are already tired of the amount of sex that we are being exposed to in the media.

It's true that sex sells but there always is a limit. I think we're already at that point where it's just TOO MUCH! It's not even about the nudity but about the over sexualized images that we (and our kids!) are being exposed to.

Honestly, I don't feel embarrassed or disgusted when I see one sex scene in a movie but I can't imagine watching a movie that resolves only around sex but unfortunately it's becoming more and more common in our society.

Filmmakers don't want to try too hard or get creative, so they choose an easy way.

Of course I'm not talking here about the Game of Thrones because I've never seen it (I can't judge something or make assumptions about something I've never watched), just saying in general.

[Hobbes!]

Pop culture has not been kind to Game of Thrones ... the sex and violence is exaggerated, I think (Just a quick note, I'm not saying anyone's wrong to dislike it regardless). And most of it is plot worthy. Two sex/nude scenes in the first couple of episodes act as very elegantly compressed character establishment (Tyrion and Theon, if anyone's wondering which ones I'm referring to)

[scarletlatitude]

Another thing to point out... Remember the red wedding? And they say the sex is extreme... That whole series is extreme.

[rocket1111child]

Another thing to point out... Remember the red wedding? And they say the sex is extreme... That whole series is extreme.

Didn't get up to that point, but I do know that it's a slaughter.

Another thing I don't get either is the nature of censorship. What about kids? I remember how dubbed anime used to change things like making Sailor Uranus and Neptune (from Sailor Moon) into cousins instead of being gay, and how they took out blood and guns from other anime. Yet for somethings (like music videos), it just doesn't matter

[Sleepy Skeleton]

The number one reason why I don't watch Game of Thrones is because there's sex in it. And I heard there's incest and stuff in it?

Yeah, I get that sex is a part of many people's lives. But even I know most stuff you see or read about is heavily exaggerated. People who act like teh sekz is the only worthwhile part of human life really need to get out more.

[Maelstrom_17]

Well, you've go to understand, in the majority of countries worldwide, sex sells. I mean, it can be used to make you buy/watch/purchase pretty much anything if you aren't ace, from cigarettes, to burgers, or movies like Fifty Shades of Grey that have no plot whatsoever.

I KNOW. the sex/marketing thing is sooo laughable. like, I enjoy bodies, I think they're beautiful and awesome. but a half naked person trying to sell me things? nah. good try. but it is not working.

Unless of course, sex turns you on and makes you think of pleasurable feelings. I reckon that the advertisers want you to associate their product with pleasurable feelings so that you will feel more motivated to buy their product.

[Copper]

I love Game of Thrones. There's no good vs evil, its all politics and what each group/person is trying to gain. I do tend to zone out during the sex scenes unless there's a plot element along with it.

While I'm not a fan of all the romance/sex hype in the media, I can usually avoid the worst of it without too much of an issue. I only get upset if I think it makes a character be not in character. An example being the beginning of season 3 of Sherlock. It has the little hypothesis by someone about how Sherlock lived, and has this romantic thing between Sherlock and Molly. At that point, I didn't realize it was just the guy's hypothesis, and not the actual event. So at that point I was pissed, to the amusement of my friend. While that example had a happy ending, others do mess with the characters' personalities like that. To me, that's when it crosses the line.

[Vala]

I had heard about the book series for years but never got around to reading it, and when the TV show came out on DVD I rented it from the library to see what it was all about. I got through the first two episodes before I had to stop, mainly because of the violence, although that was harder to predict than the sex stuff I fast-forwarded through.

I wish they'd make a PG-13 version of it, because it's a well made show. Just not for me in its current state.

Well, you've go to understand, in the majority of countries worldwide, sex sells. I mean, it can be used to make you buy/watch/purchase pretty much anything if you aren't ace, from cigarettes, to burgers, or movies like Fifty Shades of Grey that have no plot whatsoever.

I KNOW. the sex/marketing thing is sooo laughable. like, I enjoy bodies, I think they're beautiful and awesome. but a half naked person trying to sell me things? nah. good try. but it is not working.

Unless of course, sex turns you on and makes you think of pleasurable feelings. I reckon that the advertisers want you to associate their product with pleasurable feelings so that you will feel more motivated to buy their product.

I've been wondering about that. I mean, exactly how sex sells. I've always heard that phrase but never really grasped it. But if it's a show - do people get turned on while watching sex scenes, then? It reminds them of their own sexual experiences?

What would happen if they turned Game of Thrones next season of episodes into something PG-13? Would people still watch? Or do they look forward to the sexy parts? (Although the book/show are more than just sex, of course).

[rocket1111child]

I've been wondering about that. I mean, exactly how sex sells. I've always heard that phrase but never really grasped it. But if it's a show - do people get turned on while watching sex scenes, then? It reminds them of their own sexual experiences?

What would happen if they turned Game of Thrones next season of episodes into something PG-13? Would people still watch? Or do they look forward to the sexy parts? (Although the book/show are more than just sex, of course).

That's a good question. I have no idea.

I like looking at toned, fit looking guys. Calvin Klein adds for example are gorgeous, even the women look good, all beautiful and shiny, but my mind doesn't go anywhere else than that. I guess the marketing fails on me too, since I don't buy underwear :p

[LadyPariah]

I hate this too! Everyone is always asking "Have you watched Game of Thrones?" "Have you seen fifty shades of grey?" "Have you watched this/that?" I have no desire to watch or read anything with copious amounts of sex in it. I've always wanted to watch BBC's Orphan Black, because it looks interesting, but even that has too much sex in it. And what's worse, the scenes are completely random and distasteful. I even refuse to watch James Bond because of the way it portrays women. I even get tired of seeing the scientific or social exploration things on facebook, like "How many orgasms can women have in one hour," and "Look at this animal's genitals."

It just irritates me to no end that everything nowadays revolves around sex.

[rocket1111child]

I hate this too! Everyone is always asking "Have you watched Game of Thrones?" "Have you seen fifty shades of grey?" "Have you watched this/that?" I have no desire to watch or read anything with copious amounts of sex in it. I've always wanted to watch BBC's Orphan Black, because it looks interesting, but even that has too much sex in it. And what's worse, the scenes are completely random and distasteful. I even refuse to watch James Bond because of the way it portrays women. I even get tired of seeing the scientific or social exploration things on facebook, like "How many orgasms can women have in one hour," and "Look at this animal's genitals."

It just irritates me to no end that everything nowadays revolves around sex.

I haven't seen James Bond in years, because I don't care too much for action, but I think I know what you mean about women portrayed. Guys are still the subject (person doing the action), while the girl with boobs is the object (being chased by the guy). I don't really consider myself a feminist, however sometimes I sound like one, especially when I see the media constantly portraying this gender imbalance.

[WhenSummersGone]

It annoys me as well. It's like nothing sells without sex in it, even just a little bit. I avoid shows that have too much sex in it. Once Upon a Time is good as it's more focused on the story.

[Enelya]

I'm sorry the sex is putting some people off watching GOT because I really love the show.

I don't mind the sex in it but I see how it could be off-putting to some people.

The books are slightly less gratuitous (although there is still quite a bit of sex) so they might be worth a try if you were interested in the story. Books are always better anyway ;)

[Theoryal]

That's one of the main reasons I couldn't get into the show too. I tried reading the first book and quickly concluded that if I just skipped every chapter with Danaerys I could handle reading it for the most part, but my impression from what little of the show I saw was that it was just waaaaay too much for me and it honestly made me uncomfortable that many people I know were okay with watching the rape etc. going on in it. I know that doesn't mean that they think it's good but still I guess I wish people weren't so used to graphic stuff like that, I wish it wasn't getting more common and acceptable in mainstream media, and what I really wish is that I could safely watch things that are considered 'adult' without having sex rubbed in my face. I dislike the way Adult has become a euphemism for sexual stuff, since that's certainly not what defines adulthood for me. I love the fantasy genre, but feel like I'm stuck with more simplistic plots, characters, and themes because I don't dare to venture out of children's literature and animated films. :( which prevents me from connecting with a lot of other "geeks" that I might otherwise have things in common with, but I haven't seen or read a lot of the popular stuff in that genre.

[nicknack12]

I wouldn't say angry, but I do find myself getting weirded out by some shows. For example, there's this one show "Lost Girl", and the main character is supposed to be a succubus who seduces people a lot, but I always get kind of irritated/bored when there's a sex scene. I'm watching like, "That's great, you're having sex. Can we get back to the story now? Also, I like your sidekick about ten times better than you. She's funnier." I'm not actually sure if I feel annoyed, uncomfortable, or just bored when there's a sex scene, but it's definitely one of those negative-r emotions