By Sean Hancock
Set in a small, intimate countryside setting, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a shift from the usual epic and grand scale of the Game of Thrones stories. And that shift is precisely why this show stands out from recent Game of Thrones episodes.
Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s beloved Duncan and Egg novellas, the series trades the sprawling political chessboard of Game of Thrones and the operatic tragedy of House of the Dragon for something quieter, warmer, and surprisingly human. This show serves as a slice-of-life in the world of Westeros.
We follow a lowly hedge knight named ‘Ser Duncan the Tall’ (played by Peter Claffey), who is not part of a well-known house or a famous bloodline, and his young squire ‘Egg’ (played by Dexter Sol Ansel), whose backstory is a mystery for the early part of the season.
The show’s tone stands out most; rather than being dark and intensely serious, it takes a lighter approach and focuses more on the comedy in the vast world created by George R.R. Martin. This story truly embraces the classic knight’s tale. Even with the more lighthearted tone, there is still danger that creates stakes audiences can really get behind.
The relationship between our protagonist, Duncan, and Egg is extremely heartwarming and entertaining to watch. Duncan’s personality clashes with what the usual characters are like in the Game of Thrones world. Duncan’s honor is extremely important to him, and he does everything in his power to keep the oath of a knight, to protect the young and innocent.
The fight scenes are dynamic and extremely gritty, which creates a unique sense of realism for the audience. The fights aren’t overly choreographed; they feel like a real fight between knights trying to kill each other.
Every episode serves a purpose; there is no filler. Every decision by the characters makes sense and works with what the story is trying to do. Each episode is about 30 minutes long, so there is no unnecessary plot to fill time, unlike some full-hour dramas.
The Show is a great way for viewers to dip their toes into the Game of Thrones universe and to understand the world of Westeros.
All episodes are streaming on HBO Max and Prime Video.