The latest episode of HBO’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” a Game of Thrones prequel series, has ignited a heated online feud with Breaking Bad enthusiasts over IMDb ratings. Episode 5, titled “In the Name of the Mother,” initially earned near-perfect scores, briefly hitting 10/10 before dropping to 9.7 amid allegations of targeted low ratings from Breaking Bad fans. This prompted retaliation from Game of Thrones supporters, who flooded reviews for Breaking Bad’s iconic “Ozymandias” episode, ending its 13-year streak as the only TV episode with a perfect 10/10 rating on the platform. As of February 20, 2026, “Ozymandias” now sits at 9.9.
Details of the conflict emerged on social media, with users on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit accusing Breaking Bad fans of review bombing to protect “Ozymandias’” top spot. In response, Game of Thrones fans countered by submitting one-star reviews for the Breaking Bad episode, many laced with Westeros references like “The North Remembers.”
Reports indicate the drops required only a small number of low scores to shift the averages, given the high thresholds for perfect ratings. Both shows remain highly regarded overall, with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” drawing strong viewership and critical praise.
This IMDb skirmish echoes past “couch critic” review wars in entertainment. Notable examples include the 2017 Star Wars film “The Last Jedi,” bombed over plot choices and diversity; 2019’s “Captain Marvel,” targeted for its female lead; and HBO’s “The Last of Us” Episode 3 in 2023, hit due to its LGBTQ+ storyline. Other incidents involved “The Rings of Power” in 2022 for diverse casting and “Watchmen” in 2019 over racial themes.
Such fan-driven rating battles highlight ongoing tensions in online communities, often amplifying debates beyond artistic merit. While platforms like IMDb use algorithms to mitigate manipulation, these events underscore the influence of coordinated campaigns on public perception of popular media.
