SPOILERS: This column contains spoilers for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
Despite being an avid “Game of Thrones” fan, I wasn’t looking forward to the release of the franchise’s newest spin-off, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
When “House of the Dragon” first came out, I couldn’t even get through the first season. The two-season series, centered around the fictional House Targaryen, had promise but was poorly executed. The characters and plot seemed messy, and it was difficult for me to feel invested.
I figured “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” would probably be similar. Fortunately, I was wrong.
The six-episode series premiered Jan. 18 and released weekly to HBO Max until the season finale Feb. 22. The show centers around Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) and is set almost a century before the events of “Game of Thrones” begin.
The series begins with Dunk as he travels to compete in a tournament to make a name for himself after his mentor, Ser Arlan (Danny Webb), dies. On the way, Dunk meets Egg, an energetic and snarky bald child, and the unlikely pair form a bond.
Once Dunk arrives at the tournament, he lands in hot water after he defends a woman against Aerion (Finn Bennett), a ruthless and cruel Targaryen prince. As punishment, Dunk must fight in a trial of seven against Aerion and the Targaryen Kingsguard, which leads to an action-packed battle scene in the penultimate episode.
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” does something that can be difficult to do with only six short episodes: it made me truly root and care for the characters. I think this is also where “House of the Dragon” failed and ultimately caused me to stop watching it; there wasn’t a single character I truly liked or related to. The actions of its characters seemed contradictory at times, and I was hardly able to connect with any of them.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” Dunk and Egg are genuinely likable, and their actions are consistent throughout the season. I especially love the dynamic between the two of them — Dunk is a toweringly tall, sheepish hedge knight while Egg is a tiny, squeaky and argumentative child, yet the pair quickly fall into a brotherly bond that is incredibly endearing.
I also appreciate the show’s atmospheric cinematography. Primarily filmed in Northern Ireland, even basic shots of Dunk riding a horse through the plains or traversing through town are visually stunning. As I was watching, I felt like I had been transported into the fictional continent of Westeros alongside Dunk and Egg.
But while the series was visually captivating as I mentioned, it was also incredibly simplistic and realistic.
Although “Game of Thrones” is known for over-the-top visual effects with its many CGI dragons, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” had a much more stripped-back approach. The series didn’t rely on flashy special effects to capture the viewer’s attention; instead, it focused on simple yet beautiful scenery shots. Much like the relationship between Dunk and Egg, the show was filmed in a way that is grounded and realistic.
While this realism was central to every episode, it was most notable in the fifth episode, when the trial of seven unfolds. The episode cuts between the current battle and flashbacks to Dunk’s childhood, ultimately culminating in an epic fight sequence that left me on the edge of my seat.
The fight between Dunk and Aerion was quite brutal, with Dunk being repeatedly stabbed, swung on and sliced at. The quick, jarring camerawork placed me right in the middle of the battle, and each shot was incredibly gritty and realistic. It had everything you could ask for in a great battle sequence.
Although I don’t think “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” could ever be as good as “Game of Thrones,” it was a refreshing and well-developed story that I’m so glad I watched. The second season has already been confirmed and will premiere in 2027, and I will be tuning in as soon as it is released.
