It’s been a while since I’ve been as tuned into a show as I was for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Following the disappointing second season of fellow “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon,” I was admittedly skeptical of the show at first, unsure if it would live up to the heights of its franchise.
However, I had no reason to worry, as I was quickly charmed by the duo of Dunk and Egg, whose adventures the series is based on.
Clocking in with only 30 to 40-minute run times, each of the six episodes makes use of every second to build on the characters and story details, making the debut season of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” a tight, well-crafted story with a ton of rewatch value.
Every Sunday, I was left wanting more of just about everything, but ultimately feeling satisfied with the story I got.
Dunk, or Ser Duncan the Tall — the very knight from whom the series is named — is brought to life by Peter Claffey. Throughout the show, Dunk attempts to prove himself as a true knight of the realm, displaying traits of honor and dedication, if with a bit of naivety.
Claffey’s version of Dunk is a character you cannot help but root for, and I found myself invested in his story and perspective.
Dunk is honorable and stands up for what he believes is right, giving a rousing speech at the end of episode four that had me punching the air in agreement.
I was also endeared by the way he looks up to both his mentor Ser Arlan of Pennytree, who haunts the narrative and influences every choice Dunk makes, and Prince Baelor, who is probably one of the most honorable and least problematic members of the Targaryen family that we meet across all three “Thrones” shows.
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Not only is Dunk a fun protagonist to follow, but his story is heightened through his dynamic with mischievous young squire Egg.
Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg, has to be one of the best child actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing on screen. From Egg’s very first appearance, I immediately loved his wit, sass, and humor, and the way he interacts with Dunk.
Ansell also stole the screen in one of my favorite scenes in the season, when he confronts his tumultuous feelings toward his brother. No words are spoken, but the tension is felt, and the expressions on both Egg and his father, Maekar’s, face convey layers of emotion.
Lyonel Baratheon makes a grand debut when Dunk first meets him. Clad in a large, antlered crown, golden cloak, and giant grin, the character gives off an immediate larger-than-life vibe, and everything from his clothing to his armor reflects the great House he represents.
Similarly, each member of the famed House Targaryen gets specially crafted armor and red-and-black clothing to mark their allegiance to their house.
Though I don’t enjoy his actions in the show, Aerion Targaryen’s armor is particularly well designed and off-putting, with his helmet being molded to reflect a dragon-like version of his face — perfect for a man who believes himself to be a dragon in human form.
Not only is the armor well-crafted, but so are the fight scenes, which have to be among the most chaotic, disgusting, and realistic in modern media. Brief moments flash by where bits of action are glimpsed, before someone gets knocked off a horse or slashed by a sword. In short, it’s awesome and showcases just how brutal the fighting in a medieval setting can be.
Though “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” works with only a fraction of the budget of the high points of “Game of Thrones,” the set design, fight scenes, and attention to detail are miraculous.
Though the story of Dunk and Egg is enhanced by knowledge of the original show, one doesn’t have to be a “Game of Thrones” head to enjoy it, as the story stands on its own. Overall, I highly recommend “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” to anyone who wants to be drawn in by an unlikely knight and squire duo. I know I’ll be eagerly awaiting the second season, which I can only hope is just as great as the first.