A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros: a young, naive but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits await these improbable and incomparable friends.
Episodes
The Hedge Knight
On his journey to the forthcoming tournament in Ashford, Dunk meets a clever young boy named Egg, who offers to…
Hard Salt Beef
Dunk appeals to various lords in order to gain entrance into the tournament...but Egg advises him to hold onto his…
The Squire
After Egg attempts to train Dunk's uncooperative horse, Dunk teaches his new squire an important skill. As they take in…
Seven
After landing himself in the Targaryens' crosshairs, Dunk exercises his right to request a trial by combat.
In the Name of the Mother
Dunk finds himself drawn to the promise of a new future.
The Morrow
The people of Ashford mourn a significant loss following the tournament; Dunk reflects on his future and evaluates his responsibilities…
Where to watch
ORAMACAST.COM Review
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” arrives with the weight of Westeros lore on its broad shoulders, and largely, it carries that burden with a surprising grace. This prequel series, set a century before the familiar machinations of “Game of Thrones,” strips back the grandiosity to reveal a more intimate, yet equally compelling, portrait of heroism.
The narrative, spanning six episodes, excels in its character-driven focus. Ser Duncan the Tall, portrayed with earnest vulnerability by Peter Claffey, is a refreshing antidote to the cynical anti-heroes dominating much of prestige television. Claffey beautifully captures Dunk’s inherent goodness and naive courage, making his journey of self-discovery genuinely endearing. Dexter Sol Ansell, as Egg, is a revelation; his precocious intelligence and understated defiance provide the perfect foil, their dynamic forming the beating heart of the series. The direction, while lacking the sweeping epic scale of its predecessor, smartly prioritizes character intimacy, allowing the audience to truly invest in this unlikely duo. Cinematography, often favoring natural light and grounded compositions, paints a Westeros that feels lived-in, dusty, and dangerous, rather than overtly fantastical.
However, the series isn't without its stumbles. While the focus on character is a strength, the overarching plot sometimes feels a touch episodic, a series of encounters rather than a cohesive, escalating conflict. Daniel Ings, as a powerful foe, is effective, yet the narrative occasionaly falls into predictable beats for a fantasy adventure, relying a little too heavily on established tropes. The screenplay, while sharp in its dialogue, occasionally sacrifices deeper thematic exploration for immediate gratification, hinting at the political complexities of Targaryen rule without fully delving into them.
Despite these minor quibbles, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is a triumph of character and understated storytelling. It proves that Westeros can still captivate without dragons or White Walkers, reminding us that the most compelling battles are often fought within the human heart. It’s a series that respects its lineage while forging its own path, offering a poignant and often humorous exploration of honor, friendship, and what it truly means to be a knight. A solid 8.5/10.
