Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on the geekilicious women who inspire us. Our crushes range from fictional female characters in our favorite genre shows, movies and books…to creators in geeky media. We celebrate you, oh women of geekdom! 

DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Game of Thrones. If you have not seen this series, you are in for an epically beautiful, brutal, mind-blowing treat! Go to HBO and binge all seasons now, or get to watching season 8, which just premiered! AGH!!

Brienne of Tarth

Fast Facts: 

Brienne of Tarth (played by Gwendoline Christie) is not a knight. She’s better. She’s a friend, protector and ally… but only to those who truly deserve it. She is an extreme threat to those who don’t.    

Brienne is always fighting. It is her lot in life and she is so very good at it. She fights against mockery, self-doubt, the patriarchy, a blood magic shadow baby assassin, the Kingslayer (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), the Hound (Rory McCann), countless soldiers, Stannis (Stephen Dillane) and a literal bear. She fights for herself, honor, good, Renly (Gethin Anthony), Catelyn (Michelle Fairley), the Kingslayer, Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya (Maisie Williams) and the living. She never gives up. Ever.  

The Real Deal:

Brienne is absolutely, without a doubt, the most loyal and honorable character in the world of Game of Thrones. She doesn’t feel uncertainty, unless it’s about herself. Her weaknesses lie only in her emotional self-doubt and the love she gives to those who won’t return it. She knows what is right, and she knows what she’s fighting for. She is a warrior, through and through. Her physical strength is unparalleled. No man can beat her… now that Jaime only has one hand. Only Arya (and maybe the Hound) is her match… well, her living match. We’ll see. She is strong, smart, bold, deep-hearted, fearless and true. To be a knight is below her. Brienne transcends every regular notion of gallantry and honor. She is amazing. 

Why She Matters:

Let me count the ways. Brienne is an unconventional female character. She occupies the male space much more than most other female characters in fiction or otherwise. Gwendoline Christie, herself, is 6’3″ tall. That’s taller than most men. And, Brienne lives in a world where she is sort of neither male or female. She’s not comfortable with the expectations put on her based on her sex, and the world isn’t comfortable with what she actually is. She is stronger than men, bigger than life and better than everyone. She’s truly unique. For those reasons, she very much matters. She represents what many writers and creators fail to understand. Women are people.  

Brienne matters inside the world of Game of Thrones, too. She is who the other characters truly need. She can be trusted when no one else can be. There is no doubt that she will show up, kick a$# and ask for more. Her determination is relentless and her skill is without equal. There is no better human ally for the living.  

So, let’s all be like Brienne of Tarth. May we defend truth, justice and honor. May we all conquer the hate and the judgement that comes our way with pure goodness and undeniable skill. Let us be the loyal and true friends that protect our loved ones in their darkest days.  

Be Brienne. Because “Nothing’s more hateful than failing to protect the one you love.” 

RELATED:  GAME OF THRONES:  5 Most Anticipated Season 8 Reunions

RELATED:  GAME OF THRONES Season 8 Theory:  Arya Will Kill the Night King

 

 

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