Even in a world as earthy as Westeros, some moments can still catch George R.R. Martin off guard. The mythical writer has just expressed his candid response to one of the most unforeseen moments in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘, a moment of toilet humor that is very brief but very explicit, and at the very beginning of the premiere.
And no, it was not something he foresaw. The scene comes soon after an emotionally based scene, when Ser Duncan the Tall buries his mentor Ser Arlan of Pennytree. The atmosphere is silent, melancholic, and thoughtful, and suddenly, the show switches to Dunk, relieving himself. It is a tonal whiplash that is meant to make people laugh, and, as Martin himself says, it did just that, only not in the manner that he anticipated.
That Opening Scene In ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Isn’t an Accident
Martin confessed that he was confused when he initially watched the crude version of the episode. Although he has never been afraid of portraying the ugly side of life in Westeros, bodily functions are not a major theme in his work. “Yeah, that was a bit of a surprise. Not to say that my characters don’t take s***s, but I normally don’t write about them at any length. When I saw the rough cut, I wrote, ‘What is this? Where did this come from? I don’t know if we really need the s**t.’ But showrunner Ira Parker liked it for whatever reason,” he explained. His response was direct, doubting the need and the source of the gag.
Related: 10 Major Characters Appearing In ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’
It is not surprising that he is hesitant. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas are lighter than Game of Thrones, but they still balance humor with sincerity. The poop scene is not borrowed from the books, so it is not an adaptation decision but a creative one. However, showrunner Ira Parker allegedly defended the moment, as he felt it had a purpose other than shock value. And in context, it does. The scene immediately makes it clear that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is not trying to achieve the same unremitting seriousness as its predecessors.
The Bold Creative Choice Sets The Show Apart From Past Westeros Stories
In contrast to ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘House of the Dragon’, which are full of political intrigue and tragic demise, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is more of a comedy. The story follows Dunk and his future squire Egg as they stumble through tournaments, misunderstandings, and social hierarchies with far more heart than cruelty. The gag in question is a sign of the tonal change that occurs right away.
In case you missed it: Who Is Prince Baelor Breakspear In ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’?
It serves as a reminder to the viewers that Dunk is not a refined knight in a ceremony and myth. He is a hedge knight who lives on the street, sleeps on the ground, and takes life as it is. That grounded, slightly awkward humanity is central to the show’s identity. The fact that Martin is surprised by the creative decision further supports the boldness of the decision. Even the man who made this world was not quite ready for how far the humor could go.
However, that is what makes the scene memorable. It creates a contrast between this series and the darker epics that preceded it. With HBO actively developing spinoffs to the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is the one that is the oddest, and it is not ashamed of it. As the premiere suggests, the viewers can expect more jokes and more surprises.
