A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a refreshing change for the Game of Thrones universe.
It is light, funny, emotional, occasionally violent, and it sharpens characters in a way only Westeros knows how to do.
We would have gladly welcomed more of it.
We return to Westeros, friends. But forget everything you thought you knew about this continent. After the heavy drama, bloody civil wars, and dragon filled spectacle of House of the Dragon, HBO makes a surprising and refreshing turn.
There are no dragons in the sky here, aside from puppet theater ones.
The Targaryens have already lost them in the Dance of the Dragons, which will be explored in the next season of House of the Dragon.
The focus is not on who sits on the Iron Throne, but on one giant knight, his squire, and a great deal of heart.
Here is everything I thought about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, without spoilers.
The Chemistry That Carries the Kingdom
The entire series rests on the broad shoulders of Dunk, and on his incredible chemistry with Egg. Dunk is a simple knight, thick as a castle wall, a man born in Flea Bottom as a bastard with nothing to his name except his late master’s old armor, his loyal horse Thunder, and an uncompromising ambition to become a true knight, while everyone around him treats him with disdain as a hedge knight, a wandering knight with no allegiance to any noble house.
At his side stands Egg, a bald and bold boy who is revealed to be Prince Aegon Targaryen the Fifth. Egg is more than just a squire.
He is Dunk’s compass and backbone, and their relationship is the beating heart of the series.
You were a true knight, and you never struck me unless I deserved it.
May the gods keep you, ser.
One of the most exciting Easter eggs in the series is the direct connection to the beloved Game of Thrones character Brienne of Tarth.
If you ever wondered why Brienne resembles Dunk in spirit, towering height, and strict code of honor, it is no coincidence.
Dunk is Brienne’s ancestor. George R. R. Martin previously revealed that he created Dunk while researching Brienne’s family background.
This connection explains why in Game of Thrones, both the books and the series, Brienne uses Dunk’s personal sigil, an elm tree against a sunset with a falling star.
Dunk’s sigil and armor eventually became part of House Tarth’s family treasure, and Brienne uses them while traveling anonymously across Westeros.
It is a truly powerful moment that perfectly connects the two series.
If House of the Dragon introduced noticeable changes from the books that sparked criticism, here the situation is the opposite.
This is the most faithful adaptation HBO has ever produced.
The entire season is essentially a single seventy page chapter from the book. The dialogue feels lifted straight from the pages.
The first episode follows step by step the funeral of Ser Arlan, the meeting at the inn, and the arrival at the Ashford tournament.
The tournament comes to life with banners of familiar noble houses, from Lannister to Baratheon, and the atmosphere is exactly what fans of A Song of Ice and Fire hoped to receive.
An unknighted knight is the truest knight of all.
We serve whom we choose, the person we believe in.
Every knight swears to protect the weak and the innocent.
The peak of the season arrives in the form of the Trial of Seven.
This is the series’ biggest shocking moment, presenting an ancient Andal custom in which seven knights fight seven others so the gods may pass judgment.
Unlike Game of Thrones, where honor usually led to the downfall of heroes, here Dunk’s honor acts almost like a superpower that inspires others to stand beside him.
The battle itself is brutal, muddy, and tense, and the series succeeds in conveying the feeling that every lance strike could be the last, giving the show a more serious and dramatic tone.
A Taste of More
The series is short. Very short. Only six episodes, each ranging between thirty and forty five minutes. At times it feels like a small snack compared to HBO’s heavier main courses filled with historical weight and drama. Additionally, for no clear reason, there is no iconic opening sequence with the familiar map and theme music. The absence is noticeable, and more than that, there is no opening at all. The new music does a good job setting a lighter and more adventurous tone, but it lacks the familiar punch of the franchise. That said, by the end of one of the later episodes, you will likely find yourself thinking, now I believe this truly belongs in the Game of Thrones world.
It is fascinating to see House Targaryen in this era. Without dragons threatening the realm, their power relies on politics and personal honor. Characters such as Prince Baelor and Prince Maekar add depth to a family that until now often appeared only mad or conquering. Aerion Brightflame serves as the perfect villain for this season, portraying an arrogant and unhinged prince who believes he is a dragon trapped in a human body. The common people are also given a voice, and the growing courage to speak openly against the Targaryens reflects the opinions of minor lords and ordinary folk toward the royal family.
The Bottom Line
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a love letter to the Westeros of old. It is smaller, funnier, and more emotional than anything we have seen from the franchise recently. It reminds us that behind all the politics and dragons, the best stories are about people trying to do the right thing in a world that does not always allow it, much like the early and near perfect seasons of the original series that focused on human intrigue and schemes before fantasy took over the tone.