Yahoo News Game of Thrones season 8: Arya Stark and Gendry sex scene leaves fans divided - 'It had me covering my eyes'
A sex scene in the second episode of Game of Thrones season eight has left fans divided, struggling to decide whether it was empowering or just too uncomfortable to watch.
In the controversial scene, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) has sex for the first time with Gendry (Joe Dempsie), having decided she ”wants to know what it feels like” before going into a major battle (and possibly die).
The moment left some fans feeling uneasy, in part owing to the fact that Arya was a child when the show started. The character is now 18, per HBO’s Twiter account, and Williams, who plays her, is 22.
“That Arya scene made me so awkward lmao. I mean, I’m happy Arya gets to do it before the world’s end but damn if it didn’t felt like watching my daughter do it,” one viewer tweeted. “Not that I have one. Anyway, good, but don’t need to see it.”
“How old is Arya supposed to be anyway?? That scene did not give good vibes,” another person wrote.
Some, however, supported Arya’s decision and thought it made for a great bit of character development.
#GamefThrones ya’ll I did not have a good time with that Arya and Gentry scene. pic.twitter.com/tU6c0LPaye
— Chlo (@little_lig)
How old is Arya supposed to be anyway?? That scene did not give good vibes
— LermyWermy (@LermyWermy)
Was I the only one doing this to aryas scene? #got good choice Arya good choice pic.twitter.com/cg2euolkO2
— kim shiel (@kimihair)
Me during the scene with Arya and Gendry #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/HBShMULaUW
— Brandy Branch (@sowelljan)
Watching that Arya scene like pic.twitter.com/VKO1hwrazm
— TheInjusticeOfLogic (@jaxsonely)
“Arya is 18, in full control and making a choice. She’s having probably the least weird, and most empowering consensual interaction in the whole show. Ever. EVER,” someone else tweeted.
“She went with a guy she always liked, who has a little experience, a body she likes looking at, isn’t eight million years older, isn’t cruel, isn’t weird in some horrifying way, he’s never even been dead. It’s amazing.”
That Arya scene made me so awkward lmao. I mean, I'm happy arya gets to do it before the world's end but damn if it didn't felt like watching my daughter do it. Not that I have one. Anyway, good, but don't need to see it.#GameofThrones
— Anthony Estacio (@mrhappymind)
they’ve literally murdered a newborn baby & also set a preteen girl on fire in Game of Thrones but this Arya scene had me covering my eyes lmao
— Rahul (@rahooIigan)
Everyone wanting Arya and Gendry to get together but not wanting to see a sex scene pic.twitter.com/cIMRZLEgPF
— Carry Bean Khristmas (@khristmas88)
Literally!! When I saw Arya’s scene #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/rzfTNlCWi3
— Lizzy Sampaio (@Lizzy03910404)
On god I know all of you felt the same way during that Arya scene😂 #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/hV4aFVxNkc
— Robb Stark is the TRUE KITN (@lts_Josh)
Me Watching Arya sex scene: pic.twitter.com/PhY03FA5OE
— 🏁Killa Cam🏁 (@killa_cam007)
Arya is 18, in full control and making a choice. She's having probably the least weird, and most empowering consensual interaction in the whole show. Ever. EVER
— ❄Mikki Kendall❄ (@Karnythia)
Others pointed out that having sex for the first time might be among the least extreme things Arya has done during her time on the show.
Game of Thrones is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, and on HBO in the US.
