The highly anticipated return of the Game of Thrones franchise to television screens has been marred by controversy, with many fans expressing outrage over a graphic and unexpected scene in the opening minutes of its latest spin-off.
A Shocking Start for a New Knight
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on George R. R. Martin's 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' novellas, premiered on Sky Atlantic on Sunday night, January 18, 2026. The series, set roughly a century before the events of the original show, follows the adventures of low-born knight Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey) and his young squire, Egg.
However, the show's debut took a bizarre and stomach-churning turn just moments into the first episode. As Ser Duncan, grieving his mentor, decides to enter a jousting tournament, the iconic Game of Thrones theme music begins to swell. In a jarring cut, the heroic crescendo is abruptly interrupted by a close-up shot of Duncan graphically defecating behind a tree.
Fan Backlash Erupts Online
The visceral reaction from viewers was swift and largely negative on social media platform X. Fan @WilfLukas captured the sentiment of many, writing that they felt 'personally disrespected' when the theme song was 'just about to drop we LITERALLY get s****d on… not a good start for me'.
Other fans were equally unimpressed. @Super75 questioned the creative decision, stating: 'That is not what I needed to see five minutes into your brand new show. Not sure gross out is how you hook people.' The scene also reportedly ruined meals, with @shubmik adding: 'What the f*** knight in the seven kingdom? I was eating food.'
Not all responses were critical. Some, like @TimmyMKE, found the opening an 'interesting way to start', while @dyokbokai simply said: 'Okay poop scene love that.'
Creators Defend the Divisive Moment
The scene even took the saga's creator, George R. R. Martin, by surprise. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Martin admitted, 'Not to say that my characters don’t take s***s, but I normally don’t write about them at any length.' Upon seeing the rough cut, he questioned its necessity.
Showrunner Ira Parker defended the inclusion, explaining it was a character-driven choice, not a disrespectful jab at the franchise. Parker argued that when Dunk hears the heroic theme in his head, 'his guts turn to water' because he is 'not a hero yet'.
'All we’re trying to say here is that Dunk is not a hero yet,' Parker elaborated. 'He’s just a nervy kid with a nervous stomach... 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.'
Despite the rocky start for some, the series continues. Episode two of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs on Sky Atlantic on January 26, 2026.
