Got: Lessons In Storytelling

Published May 20, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Good evening fine hosts, in the spirit of reflection, I thought I would share a few hopes I have for the outcome beyond Game of Thrones. By now, we”ve battled online, loved key moments and raged against jetpacking, and likely felt like we got the ending we were going to get.

In an age of “peak TV”, where we have immense quality standards but are flooded with mediocre streaming shows, what lessons can the future storytellers take from the Game of Thrones last season?

One might be your audience cares about world-building, and when the world is huge, you don’t ever stop. We want social mores, histories and prophecies, and the inside look in to interpersonal dynamics. The Expanse builds on our existing universe by explaining the air filtration system on an asteroid or the political ramifications of governing a solar system from Earth. And like space, there is more and more to show, tell, sing, or even dance before we ever get to the specific space mission. Painting those pictures gives the plot something to build from. Because even when the plot is done, the world is still there.

Another lesson can be continuing to evaluate who is telling your story and are they the right people. Diverse writers” rooms should have a mix not because you”re checking a box, but instead celebrate in the variety of perspectives. Pose is grappling with ball culture, the AIDS crisis, LGBTQ challenges, economic anxiety, fashion, personal relationships, and more. What one person is an expert in all these? Instead it takes the voices of many to have us fall in love with a mother, fear for the results of an HIV test, and give our own scores during a house challenge. Whether it is an original story or based on source material, having those voices chiming in together means you are less alone trying to map the journey.

And perhaps the last lesson might be to set expectations. Being true to your audience versus true to yourself can sometimes overlap, but in many cases aren’t aligned. Westworld season 2 had problems being true to the audience, having to trick to stay ahead of the internet chatter. And yet the most compelling episode was “Kikusya”, a tale at the heart of identity and choice. If the story is no longer for the viewer or they just need to deal with it, then do not pull the wool over their eyes or cheat them. If it is for you, make it for you with conviction and you will likely find an audience.

So while things might not have ended how we wanted, there are writers, show runners, and storytellers out there taking the lessons. And I am thankful to Game of Thrones for that. Because, as we”ll continue to quote, nothing is as powerful as a good story.

Thank you!

Emily J.
Richmond, VA

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