SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the premiere of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” now streaming on HBO Max.
Westeros is not ready for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
The new “Game of Thrones” prequel, which takes place about 100 years before the main series and 80 years after “House of the Dragon,” leaves the dragons and politics behind and instead focuses on one oafish knight, Peter Claffey’s Ser Duncan the Tall, aka Dunk, and his diminutive squire named Egg, played by nine-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell.
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is less about Targaryens and Starks and more about Dunk’s personal journey to becoming a knight while at a tourney with some of the fiercest warriors in Westeros. It’s based on “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R. R. Martin’s novella, “The Hedge Knight,” published in 1998, and there are two more books that could form the groundwork for Season 2, which was announced ahead of the show’s premiere, and beyond. Each installment in the six-episode Season 1 is less than an hour long and packs in more jokes and cutaway gags than any single episode of “Thrones” or “House of the Dragon.”
The series starts with Dunk mourning the death of his mentor and elderly knight, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). After saying his goodbyes, Dunk picks up Arlan’s sword in the shining sun and has a hero moment worthy of Jon Snow or Jaime Lannister — but then gets a queasy stomach and explosively poops behind a tree.
Going quickly from hero to zero, Dunk journeys to the tourney to prove himself as a real knight. Along the way, he meets a little bald boy named Egg who secretly follows him and convinces the would-be knight he should be his squire. Resigned to sleeping outside, Dunk also manages to sneak into a party held by the rowdy Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to scrape together some food and catches the eye of a cute puppeteer named Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford).
In an interview with Variety, showrunner Ira Parker, who was a co-executive producer on “House of the Dragon,” breaks down the premiere, that poop joke, and how much of George R. R. Martin’s unpublished source material he has access to for the show’s future.
Parker explains the tone of the show, stating that it all came from Dunk’s point of view. The humor and gags in the series are meant to reflect Dunk’s journey from grand thoughts and dreams to the harsh reality he faces. The iconic poop scene with the “Game of Thrones” theme song was a deliberate choice to emphasize Dunk’s transition from hero to the opposite. Parker also teases the future of the show, hinting at the potential for multiple seasons following Dunk and Egg through their lives.
Regarding the use of dragons in the show, Parker reveals that while there are no real dragons left in Westeros, a fake dragon puppet was included in the episode. The puppet was crafted to disconcert Dunk and highlight his feelings of insignificance in a world of wonders. The show aims to keep the effects grounded and realistic, even with fantastical elements.
As for the young actor Dexter Sol Ansell, who portrays Egg, Parker expresses confidence in his talent and growth. He envisions a long-term journey with the character, allowing Ansell to age naturally and evolve along with the role. Parker also hints at having access to Martin’s unpublished novels, indicating a wealth of material for potential future seasons.
In conclusion, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” offers a fresh take on the world of Westeros, focusing on the personal journey of Dunk and Egg with humor, heart, and a touch of magic. With a mix of drama, comedy, and intrigue, the prequel promises to captivate audiences and expand the rich tapestry of the “Game of Thrones” universe for seasons to come.
