At a Glance
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Sunday on HBO and HBO Max
- Set between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones timelines
- Follows hedge knight Dunk and his unlikely squire Egg
- Why it matters: First Thrones story told from a common knight’s point of view
HBO’s latest Westeros entry skips dragons and kings, focusing on a lanky hedge knight who can barely afford his own armor. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms opens with Dunk (Peter Claffey) burying his mentor, Ser Arlen, in the rain-setting up a scruffier, street-level view of the realm.
A Funeral and a Promise
Dunk improvises a eulogy: “You were a true knight. You never beat me when I didn’t deserve it… except that time in Maidenpool.” Flashbacks show the older knight smacking the boy at every turn, yet Dunk finishes with tears: “I wish you didn’t die, Ser.” He keeps the dead man’s sword and three horses-his entire inheritance.
The Tournament Gamble
With no coin and no plan, Dunk heads for Ashford Meadow, where a tourney promises prize money. First obstacle: the steward of Ashford (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) refuses to enter “Ser Duncan the Tall” without proof of knighthood. If Dunk loses, he forfeits arms, armor, and horses-everything he owns.
Enter Egg
At a country inn Dunk meets a bald, sharp-tongued boy who later turns up roasting fish beside the knight’s campfire. The child calls himself Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), claims he’s motherless, and badgers Dunk into taking him on as squire for the duration of the tourney.
Knighting Quest
Dunk spends the day hunting any knight who knew Ser Arlen. Ser Manfred Dondarrian won’t wake; two sex-workers mock Dunk as “a knight, but sadder.” Ser Steffon Fossoway wants only to spar. Each rejection drives home how little a hedge knight’s word weighs among the highborn.
The Laughing Storm
Night brings a raucous Baratheon pavilion. Ser Lyonel Baratheon, nicknamed “the Laughing Storm,” drags the shy giant into a drunken dance, then lectures him: “You have no chance… but it’s a great honor to test oneself against a worthy foe.” The scene nails the show’s tone-equal parts absurd, comic, and ominous.
Luck of the Shooting Star
Back at camp, Dunk and Egg lie side by side, watching a shooting star streak across the sky. Egg insists it’s good luck meant only for them since the lords are asleep in silk tents. Dunk’s gruff facade cracks; the partnership is sealed.
What’s Next
The premiere ends with the newly formed duo facing a cliff-hanger: can Dunk find a reputable knight to vouch for him before the tournament lists close? Viewers will discover the answer when new episodes arrive Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
Key Takeaways
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms trades palace intrigue for muddy roads and tavern politics
- Peter Claffey’s Dunk towers over foes yet wrestles with self-doubt and empty pockets
- Dexter Sol Ansell’s Egg supplies cunning and comic relief, hinting at secrets ahead
- The spinoff retains Thrones’ brutal stakes while leaning into humor and heart
