A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2 Recap & Spoilers

by

So far, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms clearly shows it’s connected to the previous Game of Thrones series. It keeps the same world and language we’re used to, even though the story takes place at a different time. The show falls between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones on the timeline, but isn’t directly connected to either. The Targaryen family still holds power around 75 to 80 years after the events of House of the Dragon, which focused on a civil war within the family.

The story in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place in 209 AC, about 90 years before the first season of Game of Thrones, which is set in 297 AC. Because of this time difference, the series has a different, more lighthearted feel and doesn’t directly connect to the events before or after it. However, what happens in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is important, especially because the main character significantly influences the rule of Aegon V Targaryen – known as Egg – a king remembered in Game of Thrones by his brother, Grand Maester Aemon. At this time, Daeron II Targaryen is king of Westeros, and his sons – Baelor, Aerys, Rhaegel, and Maekar – are his heirs.

Ser Duncan The Tall Is Still Just Dunk

Image via HBO

Dunk, often underestimated for his size and perceived lack of intelligence, has already arrived at Ashford and taken on a young, newly shaven boy named Egg as his assistant. Though he isn’t skilled in much beyond having a strong sense of right and wrong, Dunk confidently approaches Prince Baelor Targaryen, showing remarkable bravery and a firm resolve.

Plummer tells Dunk to find a real knight at Ashford and get them to confirm Dunk’s or his deceased master’s identity – or both. This becomes Dunk’s main problem in the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He also needs to earn money, get decent armor, and, as Baelor requests, design a personal symbol for himself.

The episode begins with Dunk reminiscing about his mentor, the Hedge Knight, a man who chose a life free from possessions and family. Despite having nothing, the Hedge Knight lived fully and enjoyed life’s pleasures. Dunk fondly recalls Ser Arlan sharing even the simplest things, like shelter under a tree during a rainstorm. As Dunk speaks of his mentor’s integrity, Ser Arlan is shown disheveled, suggesting he’s just been with someone intimately.

Dunk remembers his former master once offered his skills to the Florent, Hayford, and Tyrell families, but no one at Ashford seems to recall him. Meanwhile, the Targaryens have arrived, and young Egg – who, as readers of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight know, is trying to avoid his family – is hiding. An announcement reveals that Baelor, King Daeron’s eldest son, is the Hand of the King and the heir to the Iron Throne, accompanied by his brother, Maekar. This gives Dunk a thought: if no lord remembers his master, perhaps the royal family will. As it turns out, Baelor does remember him.

The Targaryens Baelor And Maekar Hold Court

Dunk has a bad experience with Prince Aerion, one of Prince Maekar’s sons. Aerion is exactly like the rest of the arrogant Targaryens – he has silver hair and acts cruelly and pretentiously. Dunk pointedly refuses all of Aerion’s orders, whether it’s caring for horses, getting wine, or finding companions, which leads the prince to ridicule Dunk’s rough appearance.

Knighthood has fallen on sad days.

Let me tell you, this story really draws you in. We see Dunk, trying to handle this wild horse for young Aerion, and he runs into two Kingsguard knights who are surprisingly down-to-earth. They’re clearly skilled warriors, but they don’t need to show off. Dunk proudly announces himself as Ser Duncan the Tall, and they introduce themselves as Ser Roland of Crakehall and Ser Donnel of Duskendale. One thing that really struck me was how everyone, no matter who they are, seems to notice—and judge—Dunk’s rough appearance. There’s this great moment where a Duskendale knight, a Darklyn, reveals his family were simple crab fishermen, and explains he got into the Kingsguard the same way they found their livelihood – by working at it. It’s a clever little detail that really grounds the story.

Dunk secretly follows a servant to the room where Baelor and Maekar are talking about Maekar’s missing sons, Daeron and Aegon. Daeron was supposed to compete in the tourney, but he refused, which upset his father. Baelor tries to comfort Maekar, but his attention soon turns to Dunk. Dunk then awkwardly but sincerely tries to find someone who will vouch for him so he can participate in the tourney. Baelor remembers Ser Arlan as a respectable knight who never won but never disgraced himself. He then tests Dunk by asking if Ser Arlan ever mentioned the Grey Lion, and if so, what his real name was. Dunk correctly answers, “Damon Lannister—the Grey Lion, now Lord of Casterly Rock,” earning Baelor’s approval.

Dunk isn’t particularly refined, but he seeks out a painter named Tanselle Too-Tall to design a new symbol for him. He has no idea what would suit him, but with Egg’s assistance, they settle on an elm tree with spreading branches and a shooting star. Dunk awkwardly tries to impress Tanselle, then asks Egg if he messed it up. Soon after, Lyonel Baratheon—a character introduced in the first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—asks for Dunk’s help in a tug-of-war, and Dunk and Egg both contribute to the win. Egg also points out that Dunk and Tanselle both share a height advantage, and Dunk encourages Egg, promising he’ll become a great knight someday.

As night fell, Dunk went to Steely Pate, the armorer for the tournament, and discovered it would cost a hefty 800 stags to get his armor made. Pate agreed to take an old suit of armor as partial payment, along with 2 stags upfront, and asked Dunk to bring the rest within a day. With no other options, Dunk sold one of his horses, Sweetfoot, believing he’d be able to buy him back after winning the tournament. He explained to Egg that he hoped to be hired by a powerful house, maybe even the Targaryens. Egg pointed out that the Targaryens rarely employ hedge knights. Dunk then mentioned Ser Donnel, prompting Egg to reveal that his father controlled half of the crabbing fleets in Westeros.

The Tourney Begins At Last

It was incredible to finally see the tourney begin, with Dunk carrying Egg on his shoulders. We watched Prince Valarr, who everyone thought could be the next king, and all the other knights. The fights were really rough, and Egg actually asked Dunk to put him down, which made Dunk visibly worried – I could tell he was thinking about Ser Arlan, and how dangerous this all was. As night fell, Dunk found some peace, but Egg was surprisingly bold, even calling out the Blackfyre bastards and challenging them to give up!

Ser Arlan’s words, shared by Dunk, really stood out in this episode. He described a hedge knight as someone who connects nobles with common people. The episode ends with Dunk remembering his former master, both the good and the bad, and promising to honor his legacy. He declares, “His name was Ser Arlan of Pennytree, and I am his legacy. Tomorrow, we will show them what he created,” as the episode, “Hard Salt Beef,” comes to a close.

Read More

2026-01-27 07:39