Aaron Rodgers can’t seem to win on ‘Game of Thrones’ either
Sometime last spring, before leading his Green Bay Packers in an epically disappointing 2018 season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers jetted off to Ireland to film a cameo role in the final season of “Game of Thrones.”
Eagled-eyed viewers of Sunday night’s fifth and penultimate episode of Season 8 spotted the 35-year-old quarterback, a longtime fan of the show, playing a soldier for the Golden Company.
Incredible performance tonight by Mr @AaronRodgers12 pic.twitter.com/NnETtVWkFi
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 13, 2019
It’s something of a show tradition to cast celebrities in cameo roles, and Rodgers teased such a possibility for months with cryptic hints on social media. The latest tease from the one-time Cal Golden Bears player came just before the episode aired Sunday night.
So what's everyone watching tonight? #GoT pic.twitter.com/0vX7CuUQaL
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 13, 2019
But fans of both Rodgers and of “Game of Thrones” found some commonalities between his recent Packers’ troubles and the divisive plot turns of the show’s final season. Packers’ fans in particular had some pointed things to say about his cameo, including whether his focus is on the game if he’s jetting off to Belfast, Ireland, where the show’s King’s Landing scenes were reportedly filmed last spring.
On Sunday night’s episode, Rodgers played a member of the elite mercenary army hired by Queen Cersei Lannister to defend King’s Landing against Daenery Targaryen’s forces.
The one established image of Rodgers in his cameo showed him standing at attention in a line of extras also hired to play Golden Company soldiers. Like the others, Rodgers held a spear and sported a red coat and black helmet.
Fans also claim that Rodgers was a soldier seen running from an explosion and falling to the ground after being hit by fire. However, other fans disputed that Rodgers is the actor in this scene.
Aaron Rodgers #GameofThrones
— Jose (@Josecarretas4) May 13, 2019
Either way, “Game of Thrones” viewers know that things didn’t go well for Cersei, King’s Landing and the Golden Company on Sunday night. Despite swearing an oath to protect Cersei’s rule on the Iron Throne, the Golden Company surrendered their weapons as soon as they got a look at Dany’s army and her dragon, Drogon, sitting above the Red Keep.
Unfortunately, Dany and her Unsullied forces were not in the mood to take prisoners or to heed the bells calling for surrender. Instead, the Mother of Dragons decided to use Drogon to lay waste to King’s Landing, having her dragon child breath deadly fire on many of its innocent inhabitants and soldiers tasked with defending the city.
For many “Game of Thrones” fans, Dany’s descent into Mad Queen has been an aggravating and poorly established plot turn, given that the show spent seven seasons portraying her as the underdog orphan who methodically but determinedly went about proving herself to be the rightful and worthy heir to the Iron Throne. For critics, Dany’s decision to turn her dragon’s fire on innocent civilians also is an example of the show reverting to that sexist stereotype about how women are too emotional to lead, critics have said.
In any case, some Packers fans showed they could relate to the disappointment felt by “Game of Thrones” enthusiasts who believe their show has turned in a less than stellar performance this season.
Rodgers’ cameo notably comes after the Packers suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 27 years, which led to head coach Mike McCarthy being fired. Reports also circulated, in which ex-Packers criticized the quarterback for undermining McCarthy’s authority and for otherwise being arrogant, passive-aggressive and uncoachable.
For all these reasons, Rodgers’ cameo provoked a range of humorous and pointed memes, criticisms and debates about his decision to take time out of training to appear on the show.
— ron in the Chi (@aarontor) May 13, 2019
True to form, when the battle turned against them, Rogers faked an injury & exited the walls of the Red Keep.
— Tony Quinnto (@tony_quinnto) May 13, 2019
Are we supposed to lock him in a conference room until training camp? We should want happy players who are fulfilled during the season and off season.
— Jennifer (@laneyora) May 13, 2019