Spoilers - last chance to get out guys.
This is covering my one big issue with Season 8 Episode 5 of Game Of Thrones. I want someone to point out what I'm missing - but I can't shake one major problem. But the implications, regardless, did find a way to impact how I continue to drive strategy for DeepBridge Consulting but also for our clients. It also comes down to empathy.
SPOILERS again, SPOILERS.
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So I think everyone saw Dany going mad coming. But the utter lack of empathy the show writers gave the whole situation as it played out was jarring. It was almost like we were experiencing something out of body. One could argue this was one of the most important thing to happen to all of the living characters in aggregate. Why not spend more time bringing along the audience to experience her emotions?
I think the show runners figured because this was in her blood, we'd get it. And honestly I can get behind that. But my issue was that we didn't get a sense of Dany's experience of melting the city. I'll prove a point: Did she have one single line of dialogue, gaze, or a glimpse of her reaction after she clearly went mad? The reason this is a problem because now her fall won't be as cathartic. It won't feel as good seeing her fall which means it certainly won't seem as redeeming when the good triumph.
Seeing the carnage of her actions is not the same as empathizing with her emotions. That doesn't mean we accept them. It actually more means we hate her at an even deeper level. But that's the sign of the best villains. It's why the characters with the best stories of victory were paired with the most dynamic villains.
But for me, Dany just went from nervous to wildly enraged. Which started making me think - how often do you do that with your sales copy? How often do your marketing ask for a sale, but did no work to qualify a lead? This episode will be a great reminder of how awkward the other side of the sale can feel when you don't do the work to bring the customer along emotionally.
It can feel hallow.
It can feel transactional.
And it seems like it's hard to come back from. Unless there's something happening I don't know about, I dont know how I'll ever see her realized as officially the mad queen. Jon Snow's ultimate victory won't feel as juicy. And your customers don't recover the way you think they do when you fall victim to this "plot armor" in your sales copy and marketing. You do more harm than good by choosing what's convenient.
So I urge you - next time you write something for your ad, your IG post, your blog, etc - focus on the emotional components. Take the reader along for the ride and tug and what makes them tick. Get their head nodding. Otherwise, you risk leaving the a very unmotivated customer feeling pandered.