Trolololol.

TLDR Version: The very dynamic of the situation is changed with real! Sansa Stark rather than fake!Arya. But the showrunners decided that the narrative itself doesn't change. It's poor writing and shitty storytelling, IMO. And in other's opinions. So why exactly, does there have to be rape again? Because this isn't…

It's a secret they're trying to hold tight, but they know it's not Arya, and by the virtue of her relationship to the Starks, she could pass. Those that knew Arya? In the North? More than a few could easily dispel that notion. That's why she's hidden away.

True. But then, I'd argue that Spartacus may not be in the realm of current pop culture, but there is no denying that it challenges its viewers regarding titillation and exploitation of both male and female form, sexual assault on both sexes, and believe it or not, a positive portrayal of homosexual relationships in a…

But then, in that instance, we could argue that if they are using a real Stark girl, rather than the fake Stark girl, and wouldn't that change things quite a bit in the Jeyne storyline?. In the books, it's a commonly known fact that it isn't Arya, really. The Bolton's know it, Theon knows it. Thus, their treatment of…

This is true, however, it is an assumption made on the history and experience of the show's handling of similar subject matter.

Oh wow, I completely disagree with you there.

I'm sorry, that was flippant. Are you trying to convince me that the show's use of raping Sansa was 100% justified and not problematic at all? Because it isn't happening. I've had my reaction to the show, I've processed it, and I still think the way they handle women and gender is a disservice to the source material…

Well, yeah, my way is obviously better. Duh.

Whatevs. Stephen DeKnight's proven with Spartacus and Daredevil that he has a better understanding of the ramifications and implications of violent and sexual assault while still making an entertaining show.

Excuse me?

Robbed of her own arc and story to service the needs of Theon's story. Progression of character halted to revert to Season 1 levels of meekness, has her own story suddenly hinge on being raped to gain agency and "experience" and "edge" because everything else just wasn't horrific enough, and rape needed to apparently…

I admit its disappointing for myself as a frequent reader and commenter there, but I'll deal.

Because it wasn't the first, and it certainly doesn't promise to be the last time the show debases a character through sexual assault.

Except Brian Fuller, the showrunner, has been emphatic that he's never going to use rape as a plot point, because there's so much else to do.

Except now there are people defending the rape because, "It was in the books? What else could have happened? The rape was in the books!"

You asked me about the Cersei-Sept scene, and in telling me how deliciously fucked up it was found by some people, denied the fact that enough people did not find it that way that numerous statements were made about the scene in question.

Well, we can celebrate now because Sansa has real motivation to be a player in the game and be all edgy and manipulative.

Well, it would certainly be different. TBH? It's more Theon torture porn. it's more "Let's abuse Sansa because we can and it'll make her edgy"…I can't say what my honest reaction be, but I can tell you that lurid torture porn is not exactly why I like to watch Game of Thrones.

Crazy in the head, crazy in the bed.