‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ review: ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel is a surprising comfort watch

The last thing you would expect Game of Thrones showing yourself is comforting.

After all, comfort is rare in Game of Thrones and its prequel, Dragon House. On these shows, you’d be lucky to get through an episode without witnessing some combination of graphic violence, rape, or torture.

Yet “heartwarming” is exactly the word that comes to mind when I think of HBO’s latest film. Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. A lighter, smaller-scale series based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg novels by George RR Martin, it’s the best antidote to any fatigue you might feel about spending more time in the dark reaches of Westeros.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is not like the others Game of Thrones to show.

Peter Claffey in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
Credit: Steffan Hill/HBO

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms immediately stands out from its predecessors by literally dumping on the inflated notes of Ramin Djawadi’s beloved Game of Thrones theme.

Don’t take the shit gag as an affront Game of Thrones Or Dragon HouseHowever. Rather, it is a way of recalibrating expectations. Few of the characteristics you associate with other Westeros shows are on display in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. There’s no politicking in the side rooms of the Red Keep, no vast list of fantasy locations to alternate between, and certainly no dragons.

But you know what A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to that Game of Thrones And Dragon House don’t do it? A very tall and very kind man. And that turns out to be exactly what Westeros needs as a franchise.

Ser Duncan the Great is the next great hero of Westeros.

Peter Claffey in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
Credit: Steffan Hill/HBO

This tall and gentle man is none other than Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Great (Peter Claffey). He was squire to the knight-errant Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), but upon the death of his master in the opening moments of the series, Dunk assumes the role of knight and heads to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. There he hopes to carve out his own path as a knight and thus earn a small coin.

Dunk is not the kind of hero we expect from the Game of Thrones universe. He doesn’t come from a noble house, he’s not the most formidable fighter, and he’s not even particularly bright. (“Dunk the Lunk, thick as a castle wall” is a common refrain in Martin’s short stories.) Yet what Dunk lacks in these areas, he more than makes up for in one essential way: He’s damn nice.

You see, for Dunk, chivalry isn’t about glory or battles. It’s about protecting the defenseless and doing what’s right – and after two seasons with Dragon HouseAccording to Criston Cole, this integrity is like a breath of fresh air rising directly into the nostrils. Yet Dunk’s sense of honor does not manifest itself in a stifling do-gooder attitude. On the contrary, he radiates from his (very) tall figure in waves of heat that Dunk doesn’t really know what to do with. Raised in the slums of Flea Bottom, where people eat or are eaten, and often belittled or even beaten by Ser Arlan, he cannot understand that he is truly good. Claffey plays on this doubt with endearing coyness, often shrinking his considerable size as if ashamed of taking up space in the world. Yet many of the people Dunk meets at Ashford Meadow recognize him as special, from the cheerful Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to a mysterious bald boy known simply as Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).

Egg takes it upon himself to become Dunk’s squire, much to Dunk’s dismay. He just became a knight himself, and now he has to look after a sassy child? Soon, however, the pair develop a lovely odd-couple partnership: Dunk, as tall as can be, with barely a wise bone in his body, and Egg, skinny and small, but surprisingly worldly (and with a sharp tongue, to boot). Claffey and Ansell are a gift together, whether they’re trading barbs in the middle of a noisy tournament or enjoying a quiet moment under the stars. Not since Sandor Clegane and Arya Stark has Westeros seen such a memorable Lone Wolf and Cub duo – although here the pair immediately gets off to a gentler start, as the cub doesn’t want to murder the Lone Wolf. (He might harass him, though.)

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finds greatness in the little things.

Dexter Sol Ansell in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”.
Credit: Steffan Hill/HBO

The sweetness of Dunk and Egg’s budding friendship really shines through A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on a smaller scale. We rarely leave the Ashford Meadow tournament grounds, which A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms“The production team renders the film in lived-in glory, complete with muddy tents and worn armor. These well-used elements create a sturdy atmosphere where hard-working little people find joy, either watching the jousting from the sidelines or enjoying beautifully crafted puppet shows. Given that previous on-screen depictions of Westeros have focused primarily on times of war, it is soothing to witness these small moments of daily life and leisure.

This does not mean A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is free from conflict and action. The series features gripping jousting sequences, as well as some of the most visceral hand-to-hand combat in the entire franchise. Elsewhere, the Targaryens appear and cause drama, as they are wont to do.

But even then, the main focus is on Dunk and Egg’s relationship and the solidarity they find with the people they’ve crossed paths with. It is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in a word: good people who try to help each other as best they can. It’s a welcome change in HBO Game of Thrones programming and proof that the world of Westeros can be more than just a brutal cage match between warring families. But even more, it is a balm for the soul.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.