A scene during Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones has reignited the controversy over the show’s depiction of rape and sexual violence, drawing criticism from various media outlets as well as a United States Senator.
During the scene in question, Sansa Stark is sexually assaulted by her new husband Ramsay Bolton, who also forces Theon Greyjoy to watch. Bolton’s rape of Sansa Stark carries particular weight following last season’s notorious episode during which Jaime Lannister assaults his sister/lover Cersei next to the corpse of their dead son, Joffrey. Claire McCaskill, a Democratic Senator from Missouri, tweeted, “Ok, I’m done Game of Thrones. Gratuitous rape scene disgusting and unacceptable. It was a rocky ride that just ended.” Various media outlets found the scene similarly harrowing, if not superfluous.
