This Is The One Upsetting Way 'Game Of Thrones' Is Still Failing Women

For the third year running, "Game of Thrones" is doing a major disservice to women.

And no, we're not talking about its irresponsible portrayals of violence against women.

I stopped watching the show this season for that reason, but I've been following the plot along with the internet. From what I hear, it was a pretty chill season for the women on "Game of Thrones," many of whom rose up and were vindicated.

But behind the scenes, "Game of Thrones" has a long way to go to support women -- or even just to meet basic levels of equality for women.

The past two seasons (the fifth and sixth) had no female directors for any episode. "Game of Thrones" just announced its lineup for the seventh season. Once again, there are no female directors on the list.

According to New York magazine, there has only ever been one female director on "Game of Thrones," Michelle MacLaren, who hasn't directed an episode since the fourth season.

Meanwhile, there have only ever been two female writers for "Game of Thrones," out of seven credited writers. Jane Espenson is credited on one episode and Vanessa Taylor is credited on three.

Generally, when you see stats like that, it gives you a good idea of just how well women are portrayed on the screen. The examples we've seen over the past few seasons shows what can go wrong when there are very few women involved in telling women's stories.

To be honest, I still don't feel like I'm missing out by not watching the show now that women are getting a few Ws. This news makes me feel that even more.

I mean, I spent "Game of Thrones" finale night watching Simone Biles do flips men struggle with while Aly Raisman beasted past the haters, and then I nursed the female achievement hangover by reading the Supreme Court's endorsement of women's access to abortion.

At least some areas of real life are empowering and supporting women.

Citations: New York magazine