It's time for a new story in the ever-expanding Game of Thrones Universe. The HBO franchise unleashes the third show in the George R.R. Martin phenomenon in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - a somewhat more light-hearted, humorous affair that the original series and other spinoff House of the Dragon. To say that fans are ready for more would be an understatement.
As the GoT saga continues to grow and expand, the wait for new episodes from the spinoffs gets longer. House of the Dragon will return for its third season this summer, so the fact that we have A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to enjoy too is a treat. And if you're ready to learn more about the origins of Ser Duncan the Tall (and the story of Dunk and Egg!), stick around as we recap the events of the premiere episode below.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms starts with a death
The premiere episode kicks off with Ser Duncan the Tall burying his longtime master and friend Ser Arlan of Pennytree on a rainy hillside. It's an emotional scene, clearly displaying the respect that Dunk has for the old man who once took him on as a Squire. Now, without his former master, he's at a crossroads, reflecting on the role he once played and looking ahead to what his next chapter will look like. Whatever it may be, it involves a journey to Ashford Meadow. And, with that, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms begins.
If the more light-hearted tone had you thinking you wouldn't be greeted with some truly shocking visuals then you'd be wrong, for the episode features a truly unexpected scene of Dunk, well, pooping out in the open for all the world (and us, as viewers, unfortunately) to see. Thanks Dunk!
As Dunk sets out on his travels, he crosses paths with a small, bald child named Egg. There's some unlikely banter between the two pretty early on, and the rapport between actors Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell is electric. Egg inquires about what type of knight Dunk considers himself to be and, eventually, the boy offers to be his squire. But Dunk doesn't take him up on it - telling him that he wouldn't want to be a squire to a knight like him. And although he tells him he could do with a "clip round the ear", he is grateful for his help and tosses him a coin.
Dunk then makes his way to Ashford Meadow in a sequence that reminds us how well the Game of Thrones franchise does cinematography. Wow does it all look stunning, and it really encapsulates the scope of Dunk's journey - which is extensive, to say the least. There might not be any dragons in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms but it looks expensive anyway!
There, he offers to take part in a tournament but, after some unusual banter from, he is granted permission to compete... if he can find someone who can vouch for him as a knight. The problem is that he is making much of his story up; he wasn't a knight and nobody can prove it. That is until he learns that Ser Manfred Dondarrion is nearby. As Ser Arlan once fought for his father, Dunk hopes that he might have a chance of being vouched for after all.
While waiting on Dondarrion to wake up, he crosses paths with the odious Ser Steffon Fossoway and his cousin (and squire) Ser Raymon Fossoway. Raymon befriends him and invites him to a party in the House Baratheon tent, where he meets the captivating Lord Lyonel Baratheon. Lyonel tells him that just because giants are used to getting punched, Dunk shouldn't slouch. Although there is some intimidation there, Lyonel softens due to Dunk's earnestness and the two have something of a dance-off - which is quite possibly the best scene in the whole episode.
Dunk's attempts to enter the tournament ultimately fall flat as he catches up with Ser Manfred Dondarrion only to get shut down because the arrogant knight doesn't remember Ser Arlan whatsoever. And just as he makes his way off downtrodden, he runs into Egg - who has also found his way there... washing his clothes and preparing food at the campsite.
A Knight and his Squire
Dunk isn't particularly pleased to see Egg, but the boy is unfazed by his anger, quizzing him once again about what kind of knight he is. Dunk is committed to the idea that knights can look different, revealing his name to be - after much deliberation - Ser Duncan the Tall. Egg quips that he has never heard of him, saying that he would have heard if him if he was one of the good ones.
Dunk softens and allows Egg to be his squire for the tournament, telling him that if things go well, they'll see where they can take it from there. Egg is pleased - a little touched, even - and the two settle down to get some sleep before the tourney tomorrow.
Dunk had told his new friend about his ritual of sleeping under a tree out on the open and, together, they got to put into action. As they looked up at the sky, Egg offered some words of encouragement upon seeing a shooting star, telling him that it's a sign of good luck and that all the other knights who slept in their tents wouldn't see it... meaning that the luck was indeed theirs alone. What a beautiful ending
And with that, the tale has taken Dunk to the beginning of a new journey - one where he gets to inspire something as he was once inspired by Ser Arlan. Dunk and Egg, the iconic partnership is born.
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