8 reasons why the "Game of Thrones" - the main series of the XXI century

Tension before the sixth episode of the final season of "Game of Thrones" has reached a climax. And the main thing here is not even a question, who eventually took the Iron Throne. Especially since I'm back in 2017 suggested that it would remain empty. The main thing - it's really a unique place that has taken the series in modern culture.

Donald Trump constantly uses slogans and images from "Game of Thrones" in its Twitter. VCIOM conducts poll among Russians who have watched the "Game of Thrones." Air Force offers political experts to comment on the story. spectators sign petition with the requirement to make a copy of the last season. World has gone mad? Certainly not.

Altogether, this made me think: what, in fact, is the uniqueness of the saga? Here are eight reasons to consider it the main series of the XXI century.

1. The series has delivered us from feelings of loneliness

"Game of Thrones" has been going on for eight years, with its popularity is increasing from year to year. And even if in an environment dedicated viewers or the other season is subject to active criticism, it again runs on its recognition.

Recently there was informationIn the US, 11 million predicted absenteeism after the final episode of "Game of Thrones"That 27 million Americans out of the exit of the last series "Game of Thrones" are ready to come or be late for work. This shows the tremendous shortage of a sense of ownership in today's society. In other words, people have a need to unite around some bright emotions, which they can share with like-minded people.

In the case of the sixth series of the last season is still interesting: the audience the feeling belonging to a unique event, because no one knew until the very last moment, what the outcome "Game of Thrones".

2. "Game of Thrones" break down stereotypes

Why is this show so interesting, if popular culture fantasy genre has long been in danger of turning into a set of stamps? Answer: that's why. Books by George Martin, like the TV series, were originally built on the rejection of established genre elements. In particular, there is no division of characters into good and bad, the plot is not built on the model of the quest and there is the inevitable happy ending.

Under the influence of marketing fantasy became a kind of Lego designer: magician's figure, a hero and a villain, that's a princess, but the unicorn or dragon. Voila! George RR Martin in his epic "Song of Ice and Fire"I tried to break this stereotype, and the directors and scriptwriters of the series have gone even further. At least in the first season, they offered us a kind of fantasy for adults, where a happy ending did not understood and even the main characters can die at any moment.

3. The viewer no longer believe in a happy ending

Mass culture for decades was sure: the audience does not like disappointments, so he needs a happy ending at all costs. As a result, the film's plot became the same: the main characters to survive under any circumstances, and villains necessarily punished.

But HBO company risked and staked on the logic of George Martin. And what? She won. Furthermore, he was the progenitor of a new trend in popular culture - the plot, where the key characters are killed, and the viewer a chance to empathize with them. The success of the spin-off "Star wars"" Rogue states-one "is explained largely by the fact that the main characters die in the final, but this film was released five years later than the first season of" Game of Thrones. "

At the end of the sixth episode of "Game of Thrones" there are no winners. As said Tyrion Lannister, "All are dissatisfied. Perhaps this is a compromise. "

4. The world first saw so many strong women

In an interview with George Martin asked how he manages to create such vivid characters, women, and the writer said he always sees in a woman above all human. Each heroine of the series - strong personalityEven if it is in a situation where absolutely nothing can be done. Thus, two of the most weak and infantile character at the beginning of the series - Sansa Stark and Daenerys Targaryen - become the ruler of the finale. Saens, remember, ruled by the North, and Daenerys about it... you know everything. The series is perhaps anticipated new understanding of the role of women in the modern world.

5. On taboo subjects finally talking openly

"I did it for love" - ​​so Jaime Lannister answers the question why Branagh threw out of the window. And George RR Martin, HBO and the team were able to show the diversity of human emotions, and to do so, often going beyond the 16+. Thanks to this audience could see their familiar relations algorithms. Between the characters and observers difference is not so great that it may have helped some viewers to see themselves from the outside.

At the same time, and author of the book, and the creators of the series is not afraid to show us not only the usual decent relations, but also deviant model with which the heroes, as well as ordinary people have to a business.

6. We were able to rethink its historical past

One of the indisputable advantages of the series - a complex socio-political structure of the universe "Game of Thrones." Usually bizarre fantasy world and the unreal, and this is its main attraction for mass audience (of course, we are not talking here about the really serious authors like Tolkien, Lewis and Le Guin).

But in the book and the TV series the emphasis is not on the magic, history and politics. We see the slavery Astapora city-states, and Mierina Yunkaya, see Braavos - independent analogue Venice nomadic Dothraki and Västerås, very reminiscent of the High Middle Ages, the era of the Thirty Years' Europe War. Fantasy series is a reflection of European history and an occasion to reconsider it.

7. Power no longer seemed award and became a test

The series is said a new word in the discourse of power. "Whoever plays in thrones, or win or die" - Cersei proved it by experience. More precisely, so long as: No ruler who would voluntarily leave the iron throne. He is like a magnet attracting potential kings. The only exception to the rule was Ned Stark, but he paid dearly for his unwillingness to rule. Perhaps this is a warning to readers and viewers: there are games in which it is better not to enter, because to get out of them will be impossible.

8. The intrigue surrounding the ending kept in suspense until the last (and keep still)

What eventually happened to the Iron Throne? From the seventh season is the concern of all the spectators. I do not get tired to say that the iron throne remains empty. Or melted in the fire of the last dragon from the last Targaryen - just as once and was created at the behest of her ancestor Eygona Conqueror. However, the chance remained that rule Westeros is John Snow, but he wanted to sit on the throne, who killed Ned Stark - that's the question. John - the one who until the last moment refused to and from the power and from decision makingThat change the destiny of the country.

Finals, where the king becomes the elected figure, perhaps, was completely unpredictable. Creators of the series managed to keep the suspense until the end.

The result is a unique phenomenon: firstly, the series, the plot of which is literally evolved before our eyes, secondly, formally fantasy series that talked with older adults in the language, and finally, the series open finale. Because so still and it is unknown what will happen to Vasteras, which is ruled by an inexorable Bran - time keeper.