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canyonwalkerIn S1E3 of Game of Thrones, Jon Snow, played by actor Kit Harrington, joins the Night's Watch. It's a tough but honorable calling, or so he's been led to believe. When he arrives there he finds a different reality. The watch is depleted and increasingly demoralized, short on both warriors and supplies. Its leaders have turned to convict recruits. Instead of filling the ranks with aspiring young men like Jon Snow who see it as a noble duty, they conscript beggars and petty criminals. His new peers are orphans and men disowned by their parents. Some, turning to thievery to survive, were caught and offered a tough choice— lose a hand (or suffer some other brutal punishment) or join the Night Watch.
Snow is, of course, dismayed at the reality he finds in the Night's Watch. His first instinct is to scorn the ragamuffin conscripts, showing them in the practice yard that their brawling ways and unfocused anger are no match for his trained skill with a sword. But with some life-coaching from Tyrion Lannister, who's visiting him for several days and has taking an odd liking to him, he realizes that instead of scorning the lesser men he can inspire them and lead them.
So, what bugs me about this is how fandom treats Jon Snow. For years I've seen the GoT memes all about "You know nothing, Jon Snow" and "You don't know where to put it" (meaning he's sexually clueless).
In the first two episodes I could kind of see reason to scorn Jon. He was a hanger-on in the castle. Many in the story looked at him side-eye, or with outright scorn, because of his bastard birth. He was a misfit, and a bit of a sniveler, too. I can see why audiences would join in on the teasing.
But in this episode he starts to come into his own. He realizes that instead of looking down on people even more scorned than himself, he has a certain commonality with them. And that he can use the benefits of the privileges he grew up with— education, wealth, discipline, motivation— to make other people better. He's emerging as a natural leader. So why the jabs making fun of him?
*** Spoiler note: I'm still watching the series, so please don't chime in the comments with major spoilers beyond this episode ***
Snow is, of course, dismayed at the reality he finds in the Night's Watch. His first instinct is to scorn the ragamuffin conscripts, showing them in the practice yard that their brawling ways and unfocused anger are no match for his trained skill with a sword. But with some life-coaching from Tyrion Lannister, who's visiting him for several days and has taking an odd liking to him, he realizes that instead of scorning the lesser men he can inspire them and lead them.
So, what bugs me about this is how fandom treats Jon Snow. For years I've seen the GoT memes all about "You know nothing, Jon Snow" and "You don't know where to put it" (meaning he's sexually clueless).
In the first two episodes I could kind of see reason to scorn Jon. He was a hanger-on in the castle. Many in the story looked at him side-eye, or with outright scorn, because of his bastard birth. He was a misfit, and a bit of a sniveler, too. I can see why audiences would join in on the teasing.
But in this episode he starts to come into his own. He realizes that instead of looking down on people even more scorned than himself, he has a certain commonality with them. And that he can use the benefits of the privileges he grew up with— education, wealth, discipline, motivation— to make other people better. He's emerging as a natural leader. So why the jabs making fun of him?
*** Spoiler note: I'm still watching the series, so please don't chime in the comments with major spoilers beyond this episode ***
no subject
Date: 2022-01-09 07:46 am (UTC)I don't remember it from watching, but I didn't pay that much attention while it was on.