If you were to ask Game of Thrones fans what made the series and its source material so incredible, I’m willing to bet the consensus wouldn’t be “the action”. For as incredibly orchestrated and epic as those moments were, the reason they worked so well was because of our investment in the characters and the world around them. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms scales everything down - like, way down - to focus on one knight and his unlikely squire preparing for a jousting tournament. It’s the best thing to come out of the Game of Thrones franchise in nearly a decade.
The series follows Dunk on his journey to become a noble and honorable knight. On his travels to a jousting tournament, he happens upon a young boy called Egg, who’s determined to become his squire. It’s a tightly character driven season that really allows us to get to know these two companions by sticking exclusively to their stories. With just six episodes, some of which barely scratch the 30 minute mark, I was worried it would feel rushed and insufficient. However, because we aren’t jumping all over Westeros, we get more time with the main characters than we often did in a full 10 hour season of Game of Thrones. Peter Claffey plays Dunk with an endearing goofiness - he’s one of the few genuinely noble men in the realm, and you can’t help but cheer for this underdog. The real scene stealer though, is Dexter Ansell. From the first moment Egg appears on screen, it’s clear he’s going to be a fan favourite. His chemistry with Claffey is exceptional, and he will make you feel a ton of emotion through his performance. The collection of colourful and vile characters who play into Dunk and Egg’s story are also written wonderfully with care. Considering how little screen time some of them get, they leave a real impression.
It’s a smaller scale story, but that doesn’t mean the stakes aren’t high - they’re just more personal, which really helps the emotional core of the narrative. It’s a lot more lighthearted than this franchise is known to be, with plenty of great humour and a ton of heart. It’s not all fun and jokes though, as the show also knows when to pull back on the levity and get deadly serious. It’s a deft balance but the show is masterful in knowing how to pair its tones depending on what the story needs to be. There are no huge battles like Hardhome or Blackwater, but the small amount of action is orchestrated masterfully. Because it’s all so character driven, and we spend ample time with each of them, I found myself fully invested in their fates. The show looks unsurprisingly gorgeous, with stunning production design and cinematography. It’s shot and edited in a way that gives it a tone and personality of its own, rather than simply feeling like a Game of Thrones spinoff.
By the Old Gods and the New! A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms forges its own path in this iconic franchise, and it’s all the better for it. A smaller, more personal story that puts its characters first, this reminded me why I fell in love with Game of Thrones 15 years ago.
Rating: ★★★★½
Review by: Benjamin Garrett