Thrones more than just great TV
Beyond show’s visceral appeal are qualities shared with other stories that meet deeper psychological needs
Gstory has been transferred to Game of Thrones where the two main competing houses are known as Lannister and Stark.
Making sense of the world is something all humans need and do. As American scholar Athinodoros Chronis wrote, visitors to places such as the American Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg turn what are essentially commercial tourist sites into personal experiences by filling in the gaps in their knowledge, and using their imagination to immerse themselves in the story of the past. So it is with Game of Thrones and the Wars of the Roses. We learn that problems of social and financial inequality combined with the mental infirmity and ineffective and weak rule of political leaders can cause conflict, power struggles, and fighting.
the inner world
People use stories to make sense of individual experiences. For example, some people watch Game of Thrones because they can relate to the battle between good and evil being fought chiefly in the individual human heart of Tyrion Lannister, instead of between heroic elves and evil orcs in, say, Lord of the Rings.
Similarly, other people particularly enjoy Game of Thrones because they feel a personal stake when another character dies. Hodor, body servant to young Bran Stark, was not a major character but he was beloved for his gentleness. Though his master would ultimately cause his demise, Hodor stuck with him loyally until death. We all need a Hodor in our lives.
the outer world
Needing to investigate the outer world reflects the human need to understand not only our own beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives but to appreciate that other people’s are different from one’s own. Some people take this seriously enough to visit locations from Game of Thrones such as Dubrovnik in Croatia, whose walls were used for scenes in King’s Landing and the Red Keep. Travelling to such locations turns Game of Thrones into a personal event that becomes a discovery.
the inner world
Another need for narrative is to break away from daily life. As such, Game of Thrones is effective whenever you just do not want to think about your things anymore.
One 39-year-old French woman we interviewed was struggling to overcome alcoholism. She escaped from her urges by binge-watching horror films, replacing one addiction with another. In the end, escapism is about putting your issues aside and keeping them for later. As a result, they do not get resolved.
after a lonely self
At other times, people use stories to improve personal resources and heal their suffering selves, including coping with profound sorrow, embarrassment, and guilt.
In Game of Thrones, Arya Stark’s migration to Essos is an example of a way to cope with loneliness — her story is a reminder that there are people out there having it harder than you. Or perhaps Tyrion’s similar life events and emotions can make you think you are not to blame for the mess the world is in.
Game of Thrones is the perfect metaphor for where we stand as a society. Our time is a challenging time. Winter may be coming but that is an opportunity to show how strong we are because — like the house of Stark — we are best when challenged. Stories empower people to selfprescribe narrative therapy. Not only do we know which stories we like — but we also know which narrative we need to escape from reality as well as transform it.