Same of Thrones

"In art as in life, ‘DT’ started off as an underestimated outcast."

Jack Hughes is back to draw another pop culture parallel, this time between two characters with the initials D.T.

by Jack Hughes

There’s nothing I love watching more than American presidential election coverage. The primaries. The polls. The pundits. John King’s interactive maps. All of it. The more the better. It used to be like the Olympics, a brief flurry every four years, but now we binge watch it like an endless series with back-to-back seasons.

But this election season is different – I’m not enjoying it. I've watched from the first Democratic debate to last week’s dueling town halls. All the elements are there, but the overarching narrative is a tedious and untidy mess. The election has somehow degenerated into the frustrating final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. 

At its heart, Game of Thrones was a political drama about who will rule the united kingdoms of Westeros. As in presidential elections, we followed various contenders over several years until it came down to a few candidates. One of them was Daenerys Targaryen who, for our purposes here, I’ll refer to by her initials: ‘DT.’

In art as in life, ‘DT’ started off as an underestimated outcast. Head of a notorious, even infamous family, she was dismissed more as a distraction than a real contender. Despite being ‘high born’ she isn’t the establishment candidate, and instead builds a strong following among the working-class leveraging populist rhetoric.  

There were some early warning signs, the odd flash of fiery temper and her reaction to disloyalty from officials was often draconian (even dragonian). Yet it’s in the last season that ‘DT’ really flew off the handle. Even close advisors and supporters were left shaken and shocked by increasingly hazardous or unhinged actions.

Some will bristle at any inference that Targaryen is Trumpian. They’d argue a more apt comparison is to Cercei Lannister, who, among other sins, was dismissive of the growing threat posed by the ‘White Walkers’ as they spread virulently across the country. Others might respond that a Lannister always pays their debts.

When DT’s brief, chaotic reign ends, it’s decided Bran ‘the Broken’ should lead Westeros. Bran is a genuinely sympathetic character, has been through a lot, and is kind. He’s not the most inspiring leader, mainly because he speaks in non sequiturs such as when Bran said not to envy him as he “mostly lives in the past.”  

Bran doesn’t win the throne on the battlefield but, instead, after a long meeting when everyone is more or less talked into the idea. He’s the sensible choice, they’re told, because he’s an old soul and knows lots about history. Asked if he’ll serve if elected, Bran replies almost wistfully: “Why do you think I came all this way?”

Many felt the woman who was beside Bran during the final election scene should’ve been given the top job. Sansa Stark proved her leadership abilities in a short time and is clearly ambitious. After Bran is chosen, Sansa says she’s going to do her own thing but in a way that hints she’ll step in if anything happens to him. 

And that’s how the power struggle ends: ‘DT’ is carried off (literally) by the forces that first carried her to power and is replaced by someone who is considered the least objectionable alternative by a group of somewhat unenthusiastic voters as the other potential candidates wander off for new, vaguely defined adventures.  

There were some early warning signs, the odd flash of fiery temper and her reaction to disloyalty from officials was often draconian (even dragonian). 

Equanimity and stability are chosen over volatility. The basic tenets of democracy are affirmed in principle, if imperfectly in practice. Bran’s officials quickly prioritize neglected areas – government revenue shortfalls, infrastructure investments, public health, and utilities. (Bran, himself, focuses more on foreign affairs.)

If the polls are accurate, it seems that’s how the election will end too.

In a broader sense, Game of Thrones’ final season is similar to the 2020 election in that longstanding, important issues were dealt with hurriedly, even flippantly, as it got closer to the end. In addition, many promising young candidates didn’t get the endings they’d earned or deserved and were instead hustled offstage.

Heading into both Game of Thrones’ final season and the 2020 election there was much enthusiasm. Whichever ‘House’ or party you supported there was a sense of excitement to see how everyone would come together as well as an expectation that any differences could be put aside to overcome a common challenge.

Alas, as both wore on it became clear these were, sadly, false hopes.

Those who endured GOT’s final season and/or the GOP vs. Democrat fight were left divided, disheartened, and disappointed. Both produced petitions and protests. Both ended with nothing being resolved to our satisfaction. Fans of the show now pin their hopes on future books or prequels, for fans of elections it’s onto 2024.  

---

What do you think of today's email? I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback. I might even put ‘em in the newsletter if I don’t steal it outright.

Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Unless of course you were forwarded this email, in which case you should…

Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of the American Myth comes out June 8 from Penguin Random House. There is no better way to support this book than to pre-order a copy. You’re going to love reading what really happened at the Alamo, why the heroic myth was created, and the real story behind the headlines about how we’re all still fighting about it today. 

Want a way to send gifts and support local restaurants? Goldbelly’s got you hooked up. 

I used this to order scotch delivered right to my door. Recommend.

I’ve lost 35 pounds this year with Noom, and haven’t had to cut out any foods. Noom is an app that uses psychology, calorie counting, and measuring activity to change your behavior and the way you think about food. I’m stronger and healthier than I’ve been in years. Click on the blue box to get 20% off. 

Headspace, a guided meditation app, was a useful tool for my late-stage maturation has been a godsend to me during the pandemic. Click here for a free trial. 

If this newsletter is of some value to you, consider donating. Honestly, I’m not doing this for the money. I’m writing this newsletter for myself, and for you. And a lot of you are contributing with letters and by suggesting articles for me to post. But some of you have asked for a way to donate money, so I’m posting my Venmo and PayPal information here. I promise to waste every cent you give me on having fun, because writing this newsletter for you is some of the most fun I’ve had. Venmo me at @Jason-Stanford-1, or use this PayPal link.