Another “Game of Thrones” spin-off is out. This show has not taken on the epic proportions of “House of the Dragon” or its predecessor, and that’s a good thing. For those who are running out of headspace to remember names, family charts, who has a quarrel with whom and who sided with whom, you can relax.
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is based on novellas from George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” series, which takes place between “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” Dunk refers to Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey, a former Irish rugby player), who served as a squire to the hedge knight, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. Dunk attends to the burial of Ser Arlan, and soon after he sets off to make his way in the world with nothing but Arlan’s sword and three horses.
Dunk’s next destination is the town of Ashford where he intends to prove his mettle as a knight via entry in a tourney. On his way to the town of Ashford, he meets a curious young bald boy called Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) at an inn, and by the time the first episode is done, Dunk has himself a very eager squire. To bring home the point that this show is small vs. sprawling — the pilot clocks in at 42 minutes and the five episodes that round out the season run 30 to 35 minutes.
Gone is the signature “Game of Thrones” theme music and the expansive map of Westeros with images relating to significant events and houses. After all, most of the story happens around the tourney grounds.
The focus of the story is really the two characters and the beginning of their bond. “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” also features a lot more of the “smallfolk.” We see much from their point of view this time around.
Dexter Sol Ansell is a wonder and an absolute delight as Egg; his head is completely shaved, he wears these ragged robes and holds a lot of knowledge — both book smarts and street smarts. You would think a wizard is trapped in that small frame. George R.R. Martin says of Ansell, it’s as if Egg “jumped off the page.”
Also in the cast is Finn Bennett, who was Officer Peter Prior in “True Detective: Night Country.” He plays the cruel Aerion Targaryen. Aerion called himself “Brightflame,” while others just called him Aerion the Monstrous.
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New episodes of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” are out on Mondays on HBO Max.
