‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ review: The ‘Game of Thrones’ watch is an amazing luxury watch

The last thing you would expect is a Game of Thrones showing that it is comforting.

After all, there is very little luxury Game of Thrones and its progress, The House of the Beast. In that series, you’d be lucky to get through an episode without seeing any combination of graphic violence, rape, or torture.

Yet “comfortable” is the word that comes to mind when I think of HBO’s latest Game of Thrones repentance, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. A lighthearted, small-scale series based on George RR Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, it’s the perfect antidote to any fatigue you might feel at the thought of spending too much time in the dark lands of Westeros.

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms it’s not like the others Game of Thrones the exhibition.

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms it immediately separated itself from its predecessors, taking on the flamboyant notes of Ramin Djawadi’s lover. Game of Thrones the subject matter.

Don’t look at the poop gag as a small opening Game of Thrones or The House of the Beasthowever. It is an additional way of measuring expectations. A few symbols that you associate with other systems of Westeros are shown Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. There are no shrill political discussions in the side rooms of the Red Keep, no huge list of amazing places to spin around, and no dragons.

But you know what Knight of the Seven Kingdoms it has that Game of Thrones again The House of the Beast don’t you? A very tall, very sweet man. And that just happens to be exactly what Westeros needs as a franchise.

Ser Duncan the Tall is the next hero of Westeros.

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

That tall, sweet man is none other than Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall (Peter Claffey). He used to chase hedge knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), but when his master died at the opening of the show, Dunk took up the knight’s mantle and headed for the tournament at Ashford Meadow. There, he hopes to forge his own path as an artist and earn a little coin in the process.

Dunk is not the type of hero we have come to expect Game of Thrones the whole place. He doesn’t come from a noble house, he’s not a fearsome fighter, and he’s not very bright. (“Dunk the Lunk, thick as a castle wall” is a common refrain in Martin’s novels.) Yet what Dunk lacks in those departments, he more than makes up for in a major way: He’s very kind.

See, for Dunk, heroism isn’t about glory or battles. It’s about defending the defenseless and doing the right thing – and even after two seasons spent with it The House of the Beast‘s Criston Cole, that sincerity feels like a blast of fresh air straight to the nose. Yet Dunk’s sense of honor is not reflected in the strong attitude of doing good. Instead, it comes off his (very tall) frame in waves of warmth that Dunk doesn’t quite know what to do with. Raised in the eat-or-be-eaten slums of Flea Bottom, and often looked down upon or even beaten by Ser Arlan, he doesn’t understand that he’s really beautiful. Claffey plays this skepticism with endearing shyness, often curtailing his great height as if he were ashamed to take up space in the world. Yet many people Dunk meets as Ashford Meadow realize that he is special, from Lionel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) to a mysterious bald boy known only as Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).

Egg takes it upon himself to be Dunk’s squire, much to Dunk’s chagrin. He has become a hero himself, and now he has to crush a naughty child? Soon, though, the two have a strangely good relationship: Dunk, tall as can be, without a smart bone in his body, and Egg, crude and small, but incredibly earthy (and sharp-tongued, to boot). Claffey and Ansell are a gift together, whether they’re trading barbs during a tumultuous tournament or enjoying a quiet moment under the stars. Not since Sandor Clegane and Arya Stark have seen Westeros remember one wolf and a cub duo – although here, the pairing will start a happy one, since the cub does not want to kill one wolf. (He might kill her, though.)

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms you find greatness in small things.

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

The fun of Dunk and Egg’s growing friendship really shines through Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ small scale. We don’t often leave the touring grounds at Ashford Meadow, which Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ the production team presents the glory of the stay, all mud tents and protective clothing. These well-used elements create a stable environment where hard-working young people can find joy, from watching games on the sidelines or enjoying well-designed animation shows. Given that previous screen portrayals of Westeros have focused more on times of war, it’s comforting to see these small moments of everyday life and recreation.

This is not what he said Knight of the Seven Kingdoms it has no conflict with action. The show boasts some engaging jousting sequences, and some of the most visceral hand-to-hand combat in the entire franchise. Elsewhere, the Targaryens show up and cause drama, as they always do.

But still, the focus is on Dunk and Egg’s relationship, and the solidarity they find with the people they’ve broken with. That’s it Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in short: good people trying to help each other as much as they can. It’s a welcome change for HBO Game of Thrones list, and proof that the land of Westeros can be more than a brutal cage match between warring clans. However, more than that, it is an anointing for the soul.

Knight of the Seven Kingdoms starts on Jan. 18 at 10 pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.