[Snufkin]

What in particular do you want to discuss?

You have me on Tumblr and FB so you probably know my opinion of this already.

Rape scenes exist in all forms of media, with which I have no real problem so long as the person writing them knows exactly what they're doing. Rape scenes exists in Game of Thrones, both in the books and on the TV shows, and while disturbing and horrific, they didn't cause the fuss this one caused.

But the reason this one caused a fuss was because book!Jamie would never treat Cersei this way. Even in S3 of the show, Jamie saves Brienne from being raped. Jamie shows no signs of being capable of rape until this episode. His character becomes a fan favourite as the books progress, and it's his change from being a douchebag to being a more moral figure that causes that. It will now be impossible in the TV show adaption because of this rape scene which has changed the dynamic of not only his character, but also his relationship with Cersei.

I'm not sure I equate this to a rape discussion over what the problems were with the episode, though what the actors/writers have said regarding the scene are exceptionally worrying. Rather, it's a problem with a monumental changing of character dynamics. Excluding characters from the show when adapting from the book is one thing, but the whole point of Jamie's character arc is he becomes more likeable, and this change changes that.

Though, not enough has been said about the rape scene in S1E1 between Dany and Drogo. There is no consent shown in the TV show, but the books show she does consent. She's not enthusiastic about it, but she grows to feel affectionate for Drogo faster and consents to sex, where as the show very much portrays Drogo to rape her.

I think D&D are good at telling stories and adapting a very complex book series, but they seem to throw rape scenes in which don't exist and change the way you see characters. Everyone has flaws in the show, but when you make someone a rapist, it's hard to see them as anything other than a downright villain, which both Drogo and Jamie are certainly not in the books.