Until Game of Thrones we never thought we needed these 5 fantasy drama elements in TV shows (& it's not just dragons)

Game of Thrones shifted the cultural perception of fantasy TV.

The show proved that sorcery and swords could bring revolution to fantasy historical drama. The creators of the show redefined this by bringing moral ambiguity, political intrigue, and cinematic visualization into a groundbreaking show.

The article explores 5 fantasy drama elements in Game of Thrones that make the GRRM classic unique.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

Here is the list of 5 fantasy drama elements in Game of Thrones that make the GRRM classic unique:

1. Principles of Machiavellian

The darkest character of Game of Thrones is The Night King, the first leader of the Army of the Dead and the first of the White Walkers. The fans fear the character. Instead of focusing on the dark lord, the series focused on Machiavellian principles.

Characters like Tywin Lannister, Littlefinger (Peter Baelish), Cersei Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen personify the lessons of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. For example, Tywin is the truest Machiavellian of the show. He is famous for killing a dozen at dinner rather than ten thousand in battle.

2. No character is safe

Game of Thrones is famous among the audience for its character deaths or murders by any political means or conspiracy. For example, since Ned's beheading scene in season 1 made the show worked hard to convince fans that no one is safe.

At the end of episode 8, the story reached its final stage and even the strongest heroes died as the battle grew harder. The showrunner could remove anyone who's not vital to the end.

3. Morally complex characters

Game of Thrones has gray characters. It means the series rejected a clear-cut good versus evil. The show gave depth to villains like Cersei Lannister, but heroes like Jon Snow were flawed. Thus, the show made every conflict feel grounded in human desperation rather than myth.

Characters like Ned Stark are also complex and flawed. His honor became a liability in politics, and his honorable lie about Jon's parentage was actually his greatest act of sacrifice. Moreover, The Hound and Melisandre are flawed characters.

4. Magic is a common tool

Magic and sorcery act as a dangerous secondary force in Game of Thrones. This show, unlike other high fantasy shows, used strange, terrifying, and incidental power.

You might have seen a scene where Daenerys attempted to save Khal Drogo through blood magic is a cruel subversion. It means that magic saved Khal's life but leaves him in a permanent vegetative state. As a result, Daenerys lost her unborn child as the price for the magic.

5. Character immune to fire

One of the most interesting characters of this show is Daenerys. She is immune to fire. Even outside the magical elements, she possesses an extraordinary resistance to heat that no one in the show has.

At the beginning of the show, you might have seen her in baths where servants warned her that it was dangerously hot. She entered, but she felt no discomfort.

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