Leith Skilling

@leithskilling.bsky.social

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Writer 🏳️‍🌈

We write as dedicated readers, engaged viewers, and advocates for inclusive storytelling within global fan communities. On 17 April 2025, Episode 3x08 saw Siuan Sanche - a Black, lesbian woman and one of the series' highest-ranking leaders - brutally beaten offscreen, publicly put on trial, and ultimately depicted as a decapitated corpse. In subsequent statements, showrunner Rafe Judkins characterized this decision as carefully considered, while asserting that it provided the necessary "emotional punch". That "punch" indeed landed, causing considerable distress among LGBTQIA+ and BIPoC viewers. We respectfully urge the production team to acknowledge the impact of this narrative decision and give careful consideration to the points outlined below. BRUTALITY: Siuan Sanche represented one of very few prominent Black lesbian leaders in mainstream fantasy television....The graphic portrayal of her beaten and decapitated body appears insensitive at best, deeply damaging at worst. Explicitly showing Siuan's corpse was unnecessary as the dissolution of the oath bond with her partner, Moiraine, already communicated her death. FRIDGING: Fridging refers to the literary/media practice of killing off a marginalized character to provide emotional stakes or motivation for the protagonist. In this context, Siuan's premature death, especially framing her scenes around her partner Moiraine is troubling. Such a portrayal risks reducing a complex character to a mere narrative tool used for shock value and emotional motivation for a (white) central character. This perpetuates harmful tropes regarding the disposability of marginalized characters. BURY YOUR GAYS: The BYG trope is multifaceted and can be defined the following way: "The unexpected death of queer characters before their stories are fully realized or their characters achieve depth and complexity to the same extenf a their heterosexual peers".
Photo of me from below, looking down with a slight smile. My left arm is raised, showing off my armpit. I'm wearing a dark gray t-shirt. I have short dark brown hair and facial hair. The lighting is purplish-blue-gray.
A man sitting at the edge of a grassy cliff with his back turned, looking out over a quiet mountain valley filled with clouds.
Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere, riding a horse away from the camera down a forest path, leading a second pack-horse by the reins. She has her back turned to the camera. She has long dark hair in a braid and wears a brown fur-lined coat.
Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara, lying on his side in a narrow bed, asleep, shirtless. He has short dark curly hair and a beard. Behind him, Madeleine Madden as Egwene al'Vere stands with her hand resting on his shoulder. She is wearing a pale gray blouse, and a wide brown leather belt. Her face is not visible.