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Where’s a gal to look for a workable get-ahead manifesto these days? Surprisingly, the answers may be found in the macho HBO series “Game of Thrones,” with its third season premiering this Sunday.
Based on the best-selling fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin, the show follows the lives, loves and, predominantly, political machinations of several warring kingdoms in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.
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It’s a bloody, primitive time: Inhabitants live and die by the sword, and existence is nasty, brutish and short. The series has been criticized for its overreliance on female nudity, which seems to be a near-requisite for every episode.
But, much like “Mad Men,” it’s the women — the supposed second-class citizens of this male-dominated society — who are proving to be the show’s strongest, most complex characters. Perhaps that’s why viewership of the show is more evenly divided than you might think: 45 percent of the “Game of Thrones” audience is female.
Compared to the whimper-not-a-bang arrival of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In” and the hypocritical corporate policies of Yahoo CEO Marissa “I wouldn’t consider myself a feminist” Mayer, the fierce ladies of “Game of Thrones” are a much more colorful illustration of girl power (albeit in a land where death looms large around every corner).
Whether you’re a take-no-prisoners type or a shrewd introvert, there’s a role model here for just about every working woman.
Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)
This silver-haired scion of an exiled royal family started the series shivering in front of her Attila the Hun-like husband for an arranged marriage (and none-too-consensual honeymoon). Two seasons later, minus her spouse and her Svengali-like brother, she’s come into her own as the real backbone of the show. Dany is now known as the Mother of Dragons, after she put some dragon eggs in a fire to hatch, then got in with them and emerged unscathed — an ill-advised but highly effective way to make your detractors take you seriously.
The takeaway: When you find yourself on unfamiliar ground, go to work learning the language, whether it’s Dothraki or the inner workings of corporate policy. Surround yourself with people who can help you achieve the post you want in life. Learn to play within the existing rules, then amend them when you’ve got the power to do so. And don’t sell yourself short when it comes to what you need to get the job done. Does it take an army of eunuchs to help you conquer nations and take back your rightful place on the throne? Don’t settle for anything less.
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley)
They may hail from opposite ends of the good guy/bad guy spectrum, but Cersei and Catelyn have a fair amount in common. Both are mothers of political leaders: Cersei’s is the cartoonishly evil King Joffrey, while Catelyn’s brave-hearted son Robb is the beloved King of the North. Both have chafed at the patriarchal power structure that married them young to men they didn’t love (and, OK, one of them has a thing for her brother, which we’re not recommending). Both women have made the most of their back-room positions, orchestrating major political power shifts and, essentially, determining who lives and who dies in the show’s titular game.
The takeaway: It may not be as glamorous as a public position, but having the ear of the person in charge means you are essentially shaping policy. Begin to effect change from under the radar and watch your own destiny shift.
Arya Stark (Maisie Williams)
The tomboyish youngest daughter of — spoiler alert, if you’re still in Season 1 — the late Ned Stark, Arya has been in hiding for most of Season 2, as she’s persona non grata with Evil King Joffrey, who executed her dad. She stealthily found her way into a position as server to Tywin Lannister — father of Cersei — who’s one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Lurking around a table of old male politicians with her pitcher of mulled wine, she’s in a position to see and hear everything, and to use it against them later. When Tywin stops to speak to her one day, she spots an opportunity to knife him in the neck but opts to wait, instead conversationally reminding him of the role that women played in the country’s history. He’s impressed but wary. As he should be.
The takeaway: Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a menial position. Stay on your toes and keep an eye out for a chance to stand out in front of a higher-up. They’ll remember you.
Ygritte (Rose Leslie)
A tough wildling girl from the icy, uncharted northern region, Ygritte is initially taken prisoner by Night’s Watch soldier Jon Snow, but turns the tables by alternately mocking and seducing him until his guard’s down. After handing him over to her own people, she’s still empathetic — and willing to help him out of dire straits — but doesn’t suffer fools gladly; her tagline is, “You know nothing, Jon Snow.”
The takeaway: Have a heart, but don’t put up with B.S. from others. And a finely honed wit can help you out of many a sticky situation.
Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie)
All her life, Brienne has been mocked for her hulking size and ugliness (this being television, Martin’s character is being played by a former model, but let’s not quibble). In a world where characters compete to see who can be the most duplicitous and back-stabbing, her unflagging loyalty to Catelyn Stark and the late Renly Baratheon is viewed by many as simplistic and even laughable.
But when push comes to shove and swords come out, the chain mail-clad Brienne can hold her own against multiple male assailants. And her stubborn refusal to be dragged down in the muck of Jaime Lannister’s sardonic taunts may ultimately earn his respect (we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but that’s the way it looks).
The takeaway: Know your strengths and stick to your beliefs, no matter how much shallow schemers try to make you doubt yourself.
Melisandre (Carice van Houten)
This high priestess of the most extreme religion in Westeros, Melisandre is the closest adviser to Stannis, another royal hopeful. She’s got some mysterious witchy power in the amulet she wears around her neck. She’s also got it in other places, as we saw in one graphic scene where she gives birth to a murderous shadowy wraith.
The takeaway: Have a shadow demon in your loins and no one will mess with you. Less specifically: Develop a special skill that only you can offer, it will make you invaluable — whether getting ahead at your office job, or seizing the Iron Throne.
Click through below for “Game of Thrones” inspired fashion.
sstewart@nypost.com