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There is no doubt that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms comes from the same vein as Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. But fans (and the author) believe that the pilot episode's graphic scene went too far from the classic Westeros way.
WARNING: This article contains MINOR SPOILERS for the pilot episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, so proceed with caution.
Why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Pilot Episode Feels Divisive to Fans
In the pilot episode, titled The Hedge Knight, a wandering young knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (who would soon be known as Dunk, as called by his squire, Egg), was grieving the death of his liege lord and mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree.
Whilst thinking over the fortune he could receive if he planned to sell his three horses, he wields the sword, leading him to believe perhaps he was destined for something greater. Great enough that he might just enter a jousting tournament.
The moment he made his decision, the Game of Thrones theme song accompanied his swelling moment.
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Only to be coldly dismissed by the next scene. The music is interrupted by Duncan graphically defecating behind a tree. The shock cut may have been placed for a jaw-dropping factor and to tell GOT and HOTD fans that this is no sophisticated, political adventure. Still, it left many unimpressed.
"Less than 10 minutes in, and we see the main character take a sh*t in vivid detail. This is a sh**** detail," one fan wrote. Another replied in jest, "It was nice of them to include a cameo of Game of Thrones season 8," which is still considered the flagship series's worst season of all time.
"They need to remind us that this is based on medieval times, when everyone was poor and covered in muck and sh*t," another added.
As much as it's all fun and games for viewers, the original author, George R.R. Martin, was not aware that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was going to include the grotesque sequence.
Showrunner Shocked George RR Martin with Graphic Scene
"Yeah, that was a bit of a surprise," Martin said in a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, "Not to say that my characters don't take sh*ts, but I normally don't write about them at any length."
According to Martin, despite his note not to add the unnecessary scene, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner Ira Parker begged to differ.
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"So, in the script it reads, 'Duncan hears the hero theme in his head' — which wasn't necessarilly going to be the Thrones theme at that moment," Parker said, "He was going to hear that call to greatness that we all hear that when we decide we're going to do something really difficult that we've never done before."
Parker added, "It's a little scary, and you feel like, 'Okay, I'm gonna be the guy. I'm gonna do it!' He picks up the sword. He's thinking about it."
The showrunner explained that, as unnecessary as the pooping scene was, it was a moment where Ser Duncan was "not a hero yet" and was thinking about "how scary it is," enough to "turn his guts to water."
"He's just a nervy kid with a nervous stomach—just like me," Parker continued, "And as badly as you want to do something great, as soon as you actually have to go off and do it, it becomes trickier. And that's what the whole season is for him."
What did you think of the pooping scene in the pilot episode? Too much? Share those thoughts in the comments.
Meanwhile, fans can expect A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 2 on January 25, 2026.
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