Things I Learned From The Game of Thrones

The 3rd (and 2nd to the last) season of Game of Thrones just ended. It has been a suspense-filled ride so far and I really can't wait for the next season even though I already have a sneak-peek at how it ends.

While waiting for the 3rd season to start I had to know what happened next, so I got the books and read only from where the series stopped. I am so impressed with the producers and writers for keeping to the story line of the book. This is the first time I am seeing a true recreation of a book on TV. Even though I am so in love with the story now, I must admit I wouldn't have chosen to read the book given the chance.

I think there are several reasons why the story of the Game of Thrones stands out, it reminds me of so many life lessons we know intuitively but refuse to admit to ourselves:

The bad guys win, almost always.
The Lanisters and their unyielding grip on power. In any typical story the bad guy gets it in the end and its so satisfying. I don't want to spoil the end for you but few bad guys get whats coming to them. Fewer than we would typically like.

The good guys suffer way more than they deserve. The Starks are the most unfortunate ones whose fate is set in motion by one of the first scenes of the King's arrival. Their family are thrown apart and they seek desperately to reunite but they never do. And all their 'do-gooding' and righteous thirst for vengeance and fairness gets some of them killed. I don't know if this is to depict that good doesn't benefit the world but it is heart-breaking that all the longing remained un-quenched.

Best intentions never count. As I said no good guys get rewarded. Tyrion the imp, after leading the battle, instilling courage in the soldiers and saving the city, was rewarded like a prisoner and locked up in a cell, unceremoniously demoted from the Hand of the King. If anything, everybody forgets the good one does for them and most times a little too easily. Tyrion is one of the few who gets his own revenge. Shhh

Life goes on but not as planned. The Starks been thrown apart and all of them in the end chose to follow the path that fate had thrown them on, defining new goals. They learned to accept what had been thrown at them, even though they had gone through the trauma of displacement, and no longer wanted the same things they set out for in the beginning.

Sometimes you are capable of much more than you or anyone else thinks. My favorite character Daenerys was a little lamb who was married off for political gain. But this little lamb grew and grew in strength and capability, forming her destiny to leading an army of 8000 and ruling over several cities and tribes that where not part of her conquests. Don't underestimate anyone, most especially yourself. Cliche but there is greatness in everyone.

Everyone has their own agenda. The Grey-joys, the Freys.... and the entire King's Council of Kings Landing. There was so much betrayal after so many 'swearings' of loyalty; alliances were made and broken at the drop of a hat. Everyone will follow what serves them best, its human nature. And it can take just a minute for someone's ideals to change, especially someone that's weak. One thing I myself have learned and keep telling myself: trust nobody except God. Humans can and will fail you.

Hmmm I almost feel like I should get marks for this. I remember having to write analysis like this for so many literature books in secondary school. Its just second nature now I guess.