The second episode of Game of Thrones season 8 tapped into everyone’s emotional side. It showed how all the characters are preparing for the War of the North—they eat hearty meals, gear up, and cherish their possible final moments alive. The last part sounds depressing, but that’s exactly what you do when you’re battling the undead before sunrise.
One of the key moments of episode 2 was Brienne of Tarth’s knighting. This happened during a final drinking session with Jaime Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Davos Seaworth, Tormund Giantsbane, and Podrick Payne. It’s an emotional moment because she’s always wanted to be a knight, but she couldn’t because it’s considered absurd and “unladylike” for a woman to be one.
To that, Tormund said, “F*ck tradition!” Jaime stood up, took his sword, and used his power as a full-fledged knight to dub Brienne. It’s only fitting since the two have a solid friendship and Jaime is indebted to her for protecting him in previous seasons.
The scene ends with Brienne looking at Jaime with tears in her eyes and later smiling from ear to ear.
I don’t care about Sansa Stark and Daenerys Targaryen’s feud, or Arya Stark losing her virginity. Ser Brienne’s (I love that they made “ser” gender fluid now) is a groundbreaking moment. It’s raising a middle finger at gender norms and showing everyone in the GOT universe that Brienne is more than a six-foot-tall, “manly” woman who is seen as a freak.
Meanwhile, there are publications who seem to be more invested on who Brienne will end up with after the War of the North. Marie Claire released a story focused on her supposed “love triangle” with Tormund and Jaime. It’s basically a pros and cons rundown of the two men and why Brienne should choose either of them.
So, a woman warrior receives a prestigious title and people still think it’s more important to pair her with someone. It’s like saying Brienne is incomplete without a man in her life.
If you’ve been watching Game of Thrones long enough, you’ll know that Brienne is honor-bound and focuses on protecting people. Aside from being Jaime’s former guard and protector, she was Renly Baratheon’s Kingsguard (also a role not traditionally held by women), and also pledged to the late Catelyn Stark that she will find and fight for her daughters.She’s not exactly worried about getting married, which may be weird for many characters since they’re living in medieval times. But for us here in the modern world, that’s pretty empowering because she chose to wield a sword and not follow what’s expected of women. It’s the same with Arya who’s always preferred weapons training over learning how to be a lady.
Brienne has fought and won many battles against men. She once told Jaime,”All my life men like you have sneered at me. And all my life I’ve been knocking men like you into the dust.”
She was mocked her whole life because of her mannish appearance, and her dream of becoming a knight just came true. Her relationship status is the last thing anyone should worry about, especially when a death match against the Night King is coming.
Why not praise her accomplishments or her strengths as a warrior instead? Because it just sounds like you’re one of the people who’ve underestimated Brienne all her life, and only see her worth when there’s a man involved. What a shame.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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