Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
When it comes to the world of Game of Thrones, we’re used to seeing seriousness, drama, and political intrigue, but that’s not the case with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
While this is set in the world of Westeros, it’s not really a Game of Thrones prequel series.
Yes, it’s set around 100 years before the Mother of Dragons appears, and there are Targaryens, but this series is about a lowly hedge knight determined to do himself proud.
A Series Focused on One Person
There are a few things that will immediately make it clear that this is a “lighter” version of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, and the lack of opening credits (with the epic buildup to disgusting noises) is one of them.
Losing the usual opening theme tune was a good move. Instead, we get a simple title card, making it clear that there is a reduction in style and grandness to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Then there’s the fact that we only get the story told from one point of view: Dunk’s. Sure, we meet other characters, including Egg, and it’s clear that there are some backstories to learn, but the main focus is on Dunk and his horses.
He’s a man on a mission: to prove himself as a knight after the death of his master, Ser Alyn of Pennytree.
For all his years, Dunk has lived a simple life. Alyn didn’t have a castle or great wealth.
Instead, Alyn moved from place to place with just three horses and whatever they could carry, and that’s how Dunk grew up.
The dream to become a knight isn’t for the wealth, but for the honor of simply being a knight for a good house, such as House Targaryen.
He’s also trying to figure out what to do with his life, something relatable to all of us.
His master is dead, and there was nothing left behind except for the horses, and now Dunk has to figure out how to make money without begging. Plus, he wants to do right by the horses.
This character is packed with empathy, which could create a weakness, but before we can see that, we need to see him find someone to vouch for him.
It’s soon clear that people don’t remember his master the way he believes they should; there are so many knights that some are forgotten about, and now he needs to figure out what to do next.
Egg Clearly Has a Secret
Now, I do personally know this part of the story from the novellas, but I like how A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms lays a few clues in the first episode for those who don’t.
It’s clear that Egg is more than a lowly stable boy. He speaks far too well to be the innkeeper’s son, and it’s humorous that Dunk hasn’t even picked up on this when flinging him money.
We see Dunk’s naivety as he makes assumptions along the way. People call him dumb and stupid, and sometimes, he does fit that, but he does have a heart.
As for Egg, he’s running from something. A young boy, so well spoken, wanting to be a squire, means that he’s trying to hide.
Why does he take to Dunk so quickly? Well, it’s likely that Dunk hasn’t asked any questions about his upbringing. There were a couple about his mom, but that was it.
The lack of interest appeals to Egg, as he knows he can hide his own identity for a little longer.
However, Egg has his stupid moments. He wants to hide, but he wants to be a squire for a man who is going to a tourney where he’s likely to come across the people he’s hiding from? Does that make sense?
Egg probably hasn’t thought that far, believing that there will be plenty of people around to hide from whoever he is hiding from.
He does show how resourceful he is, though, catching a fish and offering to put up the pavilion — although he couldn’t find it.
There’s no judgment between the two of them — at least, nothing that is mean-spirited. I’m sure to enjoy the bond that Dunk and Egg form.
The Introduction of Lyonel Barratheon
We get a reminder of a few Game of Thrones houses, and it’s a great way to keep the show grounded in Westeros.
However, there’s no need to know any details, as what we need to know is told to us pretty quickly, including who Lyonel is.
I feel like, given the amount of focus on Lyonel and his attitude, he is going to become a bigger player.
The great thing about the show is that it doesn’t give too much away, but there are clear hints for those who have read the books. Those who haven’t can just enjoy the story and share their own theories.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 1 doesn’t get too deep. There isn’t a lot of world-building, further cementing the idea that this is a much scaled-down version of the Game of Thrones we’ve come to know, and it’s a great thing.
While this first episode was almost an hour long, the remaining episodes will be around 30 minutes, which means we need simplicity and direct storytelling, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 1 sets that expectation.
It’s a wonderful start to what is sure to be a much lighter and more humorous story in the world of Westeros.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs on Sundays at 10/9c on HBO and streams on HBO Max.
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