After the climax of the trial of the seven, this first season finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (or, perhaps A Knight of the Nine Kingdoms, if we’re to go by Egg’s accounting of the official realms of Westeros – although I suspect Dorne and the Iron Islands might have a quibble with him) was a much smaller affair. And the show was all the better for it, as we got a chance to see a just what kind of man Prince Maekar is, just what Dunk wants out of his life now that he’s a knight, and how deeply Egg cares for him – enough to run away from his family once again.
In the last several years, there’s become this desire among fans to have a season finale be a massive event that leaves you on pins and needles, desperate to find out what happens next. And that’s all well and good, but for my money, the most satisfying season finales take the time to wrap up the main season arcs, sew some seeds for the next season, and give us ample time with our central characters to see how they’re dealing with everything that happened in the season’s climactic moments. For our characters here, that’s the fallout from the trial, including the death of Baelor and what that might mean for the future of the realm as he was the heir apparent. But, most importantly, it’s looking into what this all means for Dunk and Egg.
After turning down Maekar’s offer to become one of his sworn knights and have Egg as his squire – a hell of a cushy job offer – Dunk is left rudderless. Wandering the countryside alone is hardly a way for someone like him to make a life. Turning down hanging out at Storm’s End and becoming a sworn sword to Lyonel made sense – Dunk would never fit in there. But removing himself from the realm of princes also tracks with who this gentle giant truly is. He is aware that, for the rest of his life, people will say that it was his fault Baelor died (which Maekar aptly points out, after stressing that he will also hear those same claims having struck the blow that ultimately killed his older brother). And Dunk isn’t one for courtly maneuvering. He’s just someone who wants to do good. Lead a good life. Protect those who need it. Be the knight that Ser Arlan was for him when he needed someone. And, honestly, there’s no one better than he to teach Egg just how to be someone that can make the realm proud.
Which is a hard pill to swallow for Maekar, who can clearly see that his other sons – including Aemon, who we don’t meet in this season, but who we know to be a studious and not particularly driven man from who he ultimately becomes later on – aren’t fit for the crown. Little Egg, a good lad, might be his best chance to leave a legacy who won’t stain the Targaryen name. Sending Aerion away won’t change who he really is inside – it likely won’t even paper over the clear signs of madness all have witnessed. And Daeron clearly wants nothing to do with the crown should it pass his way. Aemon neither. But Egg? Away from his family – something that Markar clearly doesn’t want to have happen – he has a chance. And with Dunk guiding him? That’s a really good chance. I mean, Egg was debating killing Aerion while he recovered. Whether or not he would have is an open question, but the desire to kill him was there. He had the means and opportunity until his father revealed himself. That’s a hell of a sign that Egg should be with Dunk. And whether or not Maekar sent him – it certainly seemed like he didn’t – it’s clear Egg also knows he cannot be with his family and hope to become something more than them. Smart kid, getting out.
It’s rare on a series set in Westeros to have some truly good people to root for – people who aren’t backstabbing, plotting, or trying to murder. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms had a shockingly large number of these “good” guys for us to enjoy. Sure, there might not be the depth and complexity of characters we got in Game of Thrones, but even with the shortened episodes and season, we got a heck of a lot of interesting story and characters to explore. And telling a contained arc in this short time isn’t easy. But boy did Ira Parker and his team pull it off. I was ready to be frustrated by this series. I was ready to hate it. And I ended up loving it more than I thought possible. I’m so ready to see what new adventure is coming for our duo – and just what will happen should Maekar catch up to them.
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Writing
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Acting
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Direction
