spaltor — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:17:55 GMT

I do not get HBO. In my television, I prefer "hard" sci-fi to epic fantasy. Not necessarily in my books, however. But really, it all depends. That said, as far as "Game of Thrones" is concerned, I was planning to maybe Netflix it once the DVDs were released after the first season. I wasn't super-excited about it, but I know a lot of people that were.

It premieres Sunday, and this "review" by Ginia Bellafante was published yesterday in the New York Times - the New. York. Times. - that insults me and geek girls everywhere. The more I think about it, the more enraged I become. If you have the chance, I encourage you to read it (and give it a terrible rating). But, I'll pull out some of the more offensive bits and add my own comments below...

The fantasy epic set in a quasi-medieval somewhereland... keeping track of the principals alone feels as though it requires the focused memory of someone who can play bridge at a Warren Buffett level of adeptness... [it] ought to come with a warning like, 'If you can’t count cards, please return to reruns of Sex and the City.

All that in the opening paragraph. What I take from this is that Ms. Bellafante is complaining that she's not smart enough for this show, and is upset about that. Also upset that a television series based on fantasy isn't set in present day New York.

Embedded in the narrative is a vague global-warming horror story.... How did this come to pass? We are in the universe of dwarfs, armor, wenches, braids, loincloth. The strange temperatures clearly are not the fault of a reliance on inefficient HVAC systems.

Newflash! Science fiction and fantasy stories have always been used as allegories for modern day problems. That one just hurts my brain. But wait, it gets better.

What is “Game of Thrones” doing on HBO? The series claims as one of its executive producers the screenwriter and best-selling author David Benioff, whose excellent script for Spike Lee’s post-9/11 meditation, “25th Hour,” did not suggest a writer with Middle Earth proclivities.

So, people can't be interested in more than one type of thing? huh.... interesting.... But, really, it's the implication that high fantasy is some lower form of entertainment that really boils my blood. Someone like Benioff who's done such "real, important" work has no business slumming it in the world of fantasy fiction, obviously.

The true perversion, though, is the sense you get that all of this illicitness has been tossed in as a little something for the ladies, out of a justifiable fear, perhaps, that no woman alive would watch otherwise.

Wait, WHAT? Maybe I can be more of a prude that most, but televised sexytimes tend to turn me OFF from a show. Tell me the story. The complaints I've heard about other "genre" shows (I hate that designation, but that's a different rant) is that scantily clad women and sexytimes are added to attract the 18-25 male demographic. Not women. And then to suggest that the only reason a woman would watch a fantasy television series is for sex? Oh, and by the way, the sexyimes that Ms. Bellafante is referring to are integral to the book series, not something that was "tossed in" by the television producers.

And the claim that women wouldn't watch this type of series without loads of sexual content? Shenanigans. My appointment television this season has included: Being Human, Stargate Universe, The Cape, The Big Bang Theory, V, and Sanctuary. Recently watched titles on my Netflix account include: Battlestar Galactica, Spaced, Eureka, Warehouse 13, and Legend of the Seeker. And don't even get me started on my DVD collection. ....the seething has begun.....

While I do not doubt that there are women in the world who read books like Mr. Martin’s, I can honestly say that I have never met a single woman who has stood up in indignation at her book club and refused to read the latest from Lorrie Moore unless everyone agreed to “The Hobbit” first.

Who's Lorrie Moore? Seriously. I had to look her up on Wikipedia. The woman has written 3 novels, 4 short stories, and a childrens book since 1985. She "writes frequently about failing relationships and terminal illness." It seems to me that she doesn't write "frequently" at all. What, are these women that Ms. Bellafante knows really slow readers or something? Thank you very much, Ms. Bellafante, but I'd much prefer Christopher Moore (12 novels since 1992), Terry Pratchett (over 40 - probably more - works published since 1971), or Jasper Fforde (10 novels since 2001, with 6 more planned for release by Spring 2014). And Mr. Martin's series has been recommended to me more times than I can count - always by women. So, given the choice, I'd demand "The Hobbit."

“Game of Thrones” is boy fiction patronizingly turned out to reach the population’s other half.

TIME. OUT. That's the zinger, right there. W.T.F. Boy fiction? Really?!?! What is that supposed to mean? I am very much not a boy, and I just listed my three favorite authors (of the moment) all who write, by this definition, "boy fiction." And you know what? Most of my non-fiction books are about sports. Would that be " boy non-ficiton"? What does that say about me? I think it says that I'm smart, eccelctic, and an avid reader. What is says about Ms. Bellafante is a different thing entirely.

If you are not averse to the Dungeons & Dragons aesthetic, the series might be worth the effort.

Bring it on. Next time you review a "genre" show, Ms. Bellafante, I encourage you not to make blanket sexist statements regarding your own sex.

Now, for a completely different take on women and "genre" television, I will point you to MSNBC's recent article Geek Girls power viewership for sci-fi/fantasy TV. Thank you, Ms. Susan C. Young, for presenting geek girls so much more fairly and accurately. You'll hear all over the internet that the population of geek girls is rising. I'm not sure I believe that. I just think we're banding together and taking a stance. And if I can get my thoughts down to a concise 150 words, I'll be taking a stand by submitting a letter to the editor of the New York Times.

spaltor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:19:22 GMT

the solicitation post - i know this is the time of year for this kind fo thing, and people are seeing a lot of these kinds of posts... but i just registerd to walk in the 2009 NYC Kindney Walk, held by the National Kidney Foundation, on October 18. if you would like to donate to my walk/cause, my personal page can be found here. no begging, no pleading. just being informative, and saying thanks. thanks!

spaltor — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:30:49 GMT

i've been toying with the idea of locking my journal for quite some time now, and have decided that this is the route to take. cause i definately don't want strangers stumbling upon me. it's just creepy. so the only change is that now you'll have to be logged in to read anything i post, assuming you're my friend. ;)

i hate to be cliche, but if you think you know me and what to be my friend... "comment to be added."