Neither Arya's sadistic murder of Pollivor nor Talisa's multiple womb stabbing are in the book. The show is certainly more violent than the books in many respects.

Fair point. But I note that neither Arya's sadistic murder of Pollivor nor Talisa's stabbing are in the book. The red wedding was far more gruesome on screen than it was in the book as I recall. My general point is that the legitimate sentiments in this article and the backlash should also make us reflect on the…

But that's just it. Arya did not simply kill him. She slowly put a sword through his neck as he lay on the floor unarmed while she smiled. Yes he is morally reprehensible, but that is no excuse for a sadistic murder.

I'm not upset at all. As I said, the rape certainly warrants "self-reflection about the value of representing rape in entertainment shows" and it horrified me as well. But the warranted and rightful cultural backlash against this scene specifically made me wonder why we tolerate graphic violence more than sexual…

I'm not sure why Arya's storyline is more complicated. If the viewer is supposed to feel uncomfortable about Arya's acts while simultaneously rooting for her (as I think you suggest), why doesn't the same logic apply to Jamie?

That just means that we are not that concerned with rape culture, we just don't want to ruin a good 'redemption' character arc with a rape. I don't think that is what the author is saying.

The moral outrage expressed in this article says far more about our culture of violence than it does about rape culture.