The HBO Max app buffered, and I knew I was in for something different. Anticipation had been building for weeks around *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, but nothing could have prepared me for *that* scene. The moment Ser Duncan the Tall succumbed to a sudden, urgent call of nature, I nearly choked on my popcorn.
If you’re a Game of Thrones devotee, you’ve likely already witnessed the initial episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This fresh HBO offering, rooted in George R.R. Martin’s Westeros, introduces us to a more grounded hero: Ser Duncan the Tall, affectionately known as Dunk. He’s a hedge knight harboring grand aspirations, though his courage occasionally falters. This is brought to life early in episode one, as Dunk contemplates entering a local tournament, only to be sidelined by a swift attack of stomach trouble.
io9 engaged with showrunner Ira Parker at a recent A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms press event, particularly regarding Dunk’s mental image of tourney glory underscored by echoes of the Game of Thrones theme.
“Right away, when he picks up that music, the truth of what it takes to actually step up and deliver, and how scary that is, washes over him, pitching him into a very unheroic situation,” Parker explained. “Which hopefully is very easy to relate to for many who have dreamed big and [then] been broadsided by the reality of ‘How am I going to pull this off?’”
The aforementioned “situation” involves Dunk finding refuge behind a tree as he experiences explosive diarrhea. A vivid, unforgettable, and somewhat repulsive moment, it initially gave pause to Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, an outspoken admirer of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms unlike his feelings about some other adaptations of his creations.
Even George R.R. Martin Had Doubts
Have you ever tried to explain a joke, only to have it fall flat? Humor can be as elusive as smoke. Perhaps that’s how George R.R. Martin felt when he first encountered the scene.
Speaking with the Hollywood Reporter, Martin confessed, “Yeah, that caught me off guard a bit.”
Yet, placing faith in Parker’s vision, he acquiesced. “It’s not that my characters are immune to bodily functions, but I tend not to dwell on them. My initial reaction to the rough cut was, ‘What’s this? Where did it spring from? Is this really necessary?’ But [showrunner Ira Parker] was fond of it for his own reasons.”
Parker clarified to THR that the scene wasn’t intended as mockery toward Game of Thrones or Martin’s characters and narrative. Instead, it aimed to encapsulate Dunk’s shared feelings of uncertainty during a critical juncture in his journey.
Why Did They Include The Poop Scene?
Consider it a narrative shortcut. This wasn’t just about shock value; it was about grounding a would-be hero in the messy reality of fear and self-doubt. It’s a device designed to remind us that even legends begin with moments of profound vulnerability.
“What we’re getting at is Dunk isn’t a hero—not yet. He’s just an anxious kid with a queasy stomach—just like me,” Parker stated. “And as much as you long to achieve something great, actually stepping up to the challenge brings complications. And that’s the heart of his season-long development.”
New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are available Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
Dunk is Not a Hero…Yet
Think of that first day on a new job, or the moments before a big presentation. Butterflies don’t even begin to cover the feeling. The reality is often far less glamorous than the dream.
Parker uses Dunk’s gastrointestinal distress as a visual metaphor for the chasm between aspiration and execution. It’s a bold choice, and as Ira Parker said, “All we’re trying to say here is that Dunk is not a hero yet. He’s just a nervy kid with a nervous stomach—just like me,” Parker said. “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.”
How Does This Relate to George R.R. Martin’s Other Work?
While Martin’s books don’t often fixate on the act of defecation, they are renowned for their unflinching portrayal of human nature in all its brutality and frailty. This scene, though unexpected, aligns with the series’ commitment to showing the less glamorous side of Westeros—a world where even knights have bad days.
Will There Be More Scenes Like This?
That remains to be seen, but the inclusion of this scene signals a willingness to subvert expectations and explore the vulnerabilities of its characters. It’s a gamble that could pay off by adding depth and relatability to a genre often dominated by stoicism and grandeur.
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The next episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms arrives Sunday on HBO and HBO Max. Is this willingness to embrace the awkward and unglamorous what makes Martin’s world so compelling?