HBO and Women: A Complicated Relationship

     HBO is, by a wide margin, the greatest TV channel ever; in my opinion, there isn't even a close second. HBO's lineup over the past few decades include classics like "Oz," "Six Feet Under," "The Sopranos," "Deadwood," and "The Wire;" with more recent series such as "Game of Thrones," "True Detective" (season 1 anyways), and "The Night Of." Their most recent smash success would have to be Westworld" which began airing earlier this year. Since its premiere, the series has been praised for its characters, visuals, themes, plot, and world. Ratings have also been very strong, so much so that many are calling the show HBO's next "Game of Thrones." But with the premiere an old question that has been aimed at HBO comes up again, "why is there so much violence towards women?"

     During the fifth season of "Game of Thrones," an episode aired titled "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken." In this episode, a beloved and innocent young woman is raped by her new and sadistic husband. A major female character being raped isn't new to the series, but what drew outrage was that this story arc was not in the source material and seemed to happen for no reason. It wasn't even implied, you see her get raped by her horrendous husband. This episode was widely criticized, so much so that ratings dropped significantly for the next two episodes. HBO was heavily criticized for the episode, and many began to wonder what is it with the women on HBO shows. "Game of Thrones" wasn't the first HBO series to show women in a questionable or despicable light. Many of the shows I listed before also had elements like those. "Westworld" is the latest in this lineup. The series takes place years in the future at a high tech, 1800s themed western theme park inhabited by androids. Guest pays to experience the world and can do whatever they want. Of the female androids we've seen so far in the park, most are prostitutes or the damsel in distress. During the first episode, one of the most important characters is dragged into a barn and presumably raped. So once again, what is with HBO and women? Many will argue that it's more authentic; "Game of Thrones" takes place in a medieval style Europe and "Westworld" in 1800s America, times where women weren't treated with respect. And throughout all of human history, there have been many men who hold women in low regard and treat them terribly. The critics of HBO will argue that the violence against women is unnecessary, since they are just shows and aren't exactly historic. I don't have the answer and no one does. For the critics the question is "why are women portrayed so poorly in many HBO shows." And for HBO's defenders they ask, "Why should people compromise their artistic expression to appease people who are offended?" Either way, all I know is that I think "Game of Thrones" and "Westworld" are great. 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/30/hbo-slammed-for-sexual-violence-against-women-in-its-shows.html 

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