A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Meet the New Targaryens

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As a huge fan of the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stories, I wasn’t surprised to see the Targaryens become central to them. It’s almost inevitable! They always seem to grab the attention, and honestly, it makes sense. George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, built so much of the whole world around that family. It’s pretty clear they’re his favorites, and he loves writing about them!

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms does a commendable job of weaving the Targaryens into the story in the second episode. They’re presented as a part of Dunk’s journey, not the main focus. This helps explain Dunk’s (played by Peter Claffey) disappointment with the lords who’ve overlooked Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), and it shows that powerful people aren’t always boastful. This realization about the complexities of people comes at a crucial moment for Dunk, as his self-assurance is waning just as he reaches a critical turning point.

A New Batch of Targaryens Arrive

The first part of the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms focuses on Dunk trying to prove he deserves to be a knight by demonstrating Ser Arlan’s integrity. The episode delves deeper into Ser Arlan’s past, perhaps with excessive detail. A scene showing Ser Arlan urinating was unnecessary and raises questions about the purpose of such graphic content beyond simply shocking the audience.

Beyond the unsettling image, Dunk’s recollections of his former mentor aren’t exactly inspiring. The man was a flawed individual – a heavy drinker, unfaithful, and easily defeated in a fight. This makes Dunk’s training seem questionable, and suggests he might be taking on more than he can handle.

The show creates a sense of distrust around Dunk’s claims. He’s presented as someone lost in his own illusions, pursuing a goal that’s only really believed by an equally driven young boy. Interestingly, Dunk doesn’t seem credible until he receives official endorsement from the Targaryen family.

Dunk boldly seeks an audience with the most powerful people to try and get his name recognized. In a different scenario, the Targaryens might have easily dismissed him. While Maekar Targaryen reacts with annoyance, Baelor Targaryen actually listens to Dunk’s story and fondly remembers Ser Arlan as a brave and skilled knight.

It’s heartwarming to see these Targaryens showing genuine kindness to common people, but they feel very similar to characters we’ve already seen in House of the Dragon. Baelor, as the future king, reminds us of a kinder version of Viserys. His brother, Maekar, is quick-tempered and insulting, just like Daemon. And even after a single scene, Maekar’s son, Aerion, is shaping up to be one of the most unlikeable Targaryens – a frustrating combination of Daemon, Aegon II, and Viserys (with a touch of Harry Lloyd’s portrayal of Viserys from Game of Thrones).

Dexter Sol Ansell Becomes a Quick Scene-Stealer as Egg

As the second show to focus so much on the Targaryen family, relying heavily on familiar Targaryen characters and storylines could suggest the franchise is starting to repeat itself. This is concerning, especially since plans are already underway for a new project – either a series or a large-scale film – about Aegon the Conqueror. Whether audiences will still be interested in stories about these dragon-riding families – even those with darker hair like Baelor and Valarr – remains to be seen.

Dunk is busy making new friends, which will probably be useful down the road. It quickly becomes clear that even in Westeros, who you know is just as important as what you can do, especially if you’re trying to climb the ranks. Dunk realizes he needs connections to succeed as a knight, since he wasn’t born into a powerful family. He tries to get to know some friendly members of the Kingsguard to help him out. He also awkwardly attempts to flirt with a puppeteer named Tanselle, but thankfully his friend Egg steps in to save him from embarrassment.

The young, bald actor is truly exceptional – one of the best child performers around. Ansell perfectly embodies a character already known for its charm and wit. As Dunk’s companion and squire, Egg consistently shines, whether he’s rescuing Dunk from awkward situations or winning a playful contest. And that tug-of-war scene? It’s a standout moment of television, beautifully filmed and just as impressive as the first jousting match – which was also wonderfully lit in the darkness.

Although Egg generally appears trustworthy, the story subtly reveals inconsistencies in his character, suggesting he isn’t being entirely truthful. These hints are enough to make readers suspect he’s keeping something hidden, but not enough to give away his secret to those unfamiliar with the books. For example, despite being an orphaned commoner, Egg demonstrates surprising knowledge of Westeros’s nobility and merchant class.

He speaks with a refined accent and uses sophisticated language – he’d never use simple words when more elaborate ones would do. He also frequently finds fault with his meals and isn’t shy about voicing his strong dislike for the Targaryen family. It’s clear this boy isn’t from a humble background.

Dunk Crosses the First Threshold of the Hero’s Journey

The first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms clearly shows that the story will follow Dunk’s path to becoming a hero. It won’t be a traditional tale of rescuing princesses or saving the world, but rather a personal journey of growth. Along the way, the series is also giving a positive portrayal to the often-overlooked hedge knights who have existed for generations.

Considering Dunk’s adventures likely span the whole series, Episode 2 shows him starting his main quest. Selling his horse for armor is a point of no return, but he’s rattled when he sees skilled knights failing during the tournament. Egg also feels intimidated, realizing he’s much smaller than the other squires.

Last week’s episode focused on what people leave behind, while this week explores what makes someone truly deserving of respect and admiration – specifically, what makes a great knight. Is it simply following a code of honor and fighting for justice? Or does birthright play a bigger role? Shows like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon demonstrate that historical ideas of noble knighthood don’t always align with the actions of those considered legendary. For example, Daemon Targaryen often acted ruthlessly, even if he believed it was for the greater good. Similarly, Criston Cole’s betrayal of the rightful queen stemmed from personal rejection, proving that even those in positions of power can be motivated by selfish desires.

After finishing the second episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it’s clear Dunk’s journey is just beginning. He’s driven by a desire to prove people wrong about the life of a hedge knight, but honestly, it feels less about personal glory and more about clearing the name of Ser Arlan. Some might see that as admirable selflessness, while others might call it naive. I’m really curious to see if, a few episodes down the line, Dunk can finally silence those who underestimate him. Right now, he still feels like he’s got a lot to prove.

New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere every Sunday on HBO.

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2026-01-26 06:41