Comedy cultural commentator and serial gag-pincher Andrew Neil has disagreed with the Herald’s analysis of Game of Thrones.
“Lord of the Rings is densely written, heroic and dry as a nun’s knickers,” he is quoted as saying. “If you ignore Narnia’s Christian symbolism, all you have is a series of quests and battles involving rival rulers. Throw in some gratuitous bouncy bare breasts and there is Game of Thrones in a nutshell, if not a D-cup.”
“Winter Is Coming is a clear precursor of the White Witch’s everlasting winter without Christmas in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” Neil continues. “If I watched Game of Thrones, I wouldn’t be surprised to encounter a faun, a talking mouse, and some snotty refugee children from the 1950s.”
Neil admits to not watching Game of Thrones, although he “caught a few episodes with my goddaughter on Netflix”. He read the first of the books, describing it as “a derivative potboiler, like a medieval Dan Brown. With extra knockers.” This puts Neil in line for the Herald’s cherished Uninvestigative Journalism award, which would look nice on his mantelpiece next to his Persistent Plagiarism Prize.
Perhaps exposure to the sun has affected the sporadically satirical Scot, who is more used to exposure in the media. Maybe the unaccustomed heat has addled the brains of so-called serious journalists, who now seem to think that trivia like Game of Thrones and Love Island count as news.
Then again, it’s silly season. Winter is Coming? It’s July, for crying out loud!
