• Warning: Spoilers ahead for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” season eight, episode four, “The Last of the Starks.”
  • On Sunday’s episode, after spending many seasons apart, The Hound expressed regret that he couldn’t protect Sansa Stark from trauma.
  • “Without Littlefinger and Ramsay and the rest, I would’ve stayed a little bird all my life,” she replied.
  • Fans were frustrated with the line because it implies that women should be grateful for men who harm them, even their rapists and abusers, because it “builds character.”
  • Many fans pointed out that “Game of Thrones” has often been criticized for its lack of female writers, which may explain why scenes like this are poorly received by women.

Season eight of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has featured many tender scenes between characters who were previously separated for years. But one such scene on Sunday’s episode, between Sandor “The Hound” Clegane and Sansa Stark, wasn’t received as sweet or endearing but rather seen as disappointing and problematic by many fans.

Back on season two, The Hound fled King’s Landing and offered to take Sansa with him, to bring her back home. She declined. On the most recent episode, titled “The Last of the Starks,” he expressed regret that he couldn’t protect her.

“You’ve changed, Little Bird,” he said, using Cersei’s old nickname for Sansa when she was the royal family’s hostage. “None of it would’ve happened if you’d left King’s Landing with me. No Littlefinger. No Ramsay. None of it.”

“Without Littlefinger and Ramsay and the rest, I would’ve stayed a little bird all my life,” she replied.

ramsay sansa game of thrones

Foto: Ramsay with Sansa on season five.sourceHBO

They're referring to two men who abused Sansa for political and personal gain. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish betrayed the Starks, sold Sansa to an abusive husband, and tried to manipulate her at every turn. Ramsay Bolton was the abusive husband, who raped Sansa every night they were together.

Read more: 5 of the best organizations that help survivors of sexual assault

Sansa has evolved since escaping from Ramsay and has since been given multiple revenge plotlines, which included the satisfying murders of both men.

But many fans found this line of dialogue rather disturbing, as it implies that women should be grateful for men who harm them because it "builds character" - or that women can be strong and empowered only if they've endured some form of abuse.

https://twitter.com/ErinStrecker/status/1125227325983993856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/sansastcrk/status/1125347084729823232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/ashdecarr/status/1125392498933817345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/ohkayewhatever/status/1125260259877183488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Many fans pointed out that "Game of Thrones" has often been criticized for its lack of female writers, which may explain why scenes like this are poorly received by women.

https://twitter.com/DavidDTSS/status/1125238082905739269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/AlannaBennett/status/1125205564315795458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Others, however, felt that Sansa's reaction to her trauma was realistic and relatable.

https://twitter.com/fangirlJeanne/status/1125280660933959685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

For her part, Sophie Turner has defended her character's controversial and traumatic experiences, as well as Sansa's reactions to them, many times.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can visit RAINN or call its hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member.