REVIEW: ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 - Slower Approach Smoulders with Passion and Laughs

James Crooks
2 minutes ago
4 min read

Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* © HBO

Picking up from Episode 1, amongst the chaos of day-drinking, festival celebrations and seeking entrance to the tournament of Ashford, audiences return to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2 with Ser Dunk the Tall (Peter Claffey) seizing great opportunity at the hands of powerful new arrivals. Armed with tattered garments, a rusted blade and damaged shield, Dunk pitches himself to the various Lords assembling within Ashford anticipating great festivities. Namely, that of Baelor Targaryen – a surname fans of the franchise will immediately recognise. Whilst the connection to Emilia Clarke’s (Solo: A Star Wars Story) Daenerys Targayen is loose, and frankly confusing to general audiences, viewers should recognise this House as a regal lineage throughout Westeros. Thus, spiking intrigue at their inclusion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ debut episode delivered exposition of Dunk’s Squire past via flashback humour at the hands of his Hedge Knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). Yet the second episode marks a different approach. Immediately revisiting Dunk’s travelling past by acknowledging Ser Arlan’s sincerity, repainting his image as a man of the people. Not destined for typical honours, riches or heroisms, but the simple of life of a kind, perhaps insignificant, Hedge Knight. Such elaboration upon the glimpse of the character in Episode 1 provides profound context of Ser Dunk’s ambitions. Justifying his aim to become something more and contextualising his disappointment when no lords recognise his father figure, despite his presence at their side in times of war.

Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms © HBO — Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree in *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* © HBO

Peter Claffey (Small Things Like These) continues to carry a perfectly crafted Boy Scoutish innocence here. Reminding viewers of his inexperience and perhaps undeservingly brazen ambition, unaware such achievements are atypical for a peasant of his kind. Such purity washes the hands of an otherwise gruesome franchise, one marked by bloody murder, rape and other crimes of detrimental condition. Despite only being 90 minutes into the series, with the second episode being a disappointing 33 minutes (more on this later), audiences already feel warmed by the simplicity of their protagonist. Like a family dog brandishing the famous ‘Puppy Eyes’, viewers will feel enamoured by the gentle giant. A compliment to Claffey’s acting gravitas within his first leading role.

Continuing his mission to secure tournament entry, Ser Dunk is accompanied by Squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) for much of the second episode. Evolving the dynamic, and unlikely friendship, between the two reaps much success within the humour of this instalment. Unconventional and wildly inappropriate hilarity, such as Dunk seeking romantic advice from a mere child, guarantees laughs at its sheer absurdity. In an era where television trips over itself in attempts of layering richer depth, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms enjoys a trivialised approach. Simmered down to encourage guilt-free fun in a familiar setting, rather than add further lore to an already decorated history. Ironically, as necessary as this approach is, audiences may be right to question the way in which episodes are consumed.

Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms © HBO — Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg and Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall in *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* © HBO

A pattern already recognisable emerges from the series’ weekly release. Slow-burn approaches may reward patient viewers in their final moments, but exciting momentum spawned from Dunk and Egg’s adventure becomes hindered by preposterous runtimes. Sure, Episode 2 finds Dunk bargaining for armour, discovering romantic intrigue and finally finding a Lord’s recognition of Ser Arlan of Pennytree, securing entrance to the tourney. He also watches the opening jousting even, packing generous activity into these limited minutes. But this success generates a palpable enjoyment abruptly halted by end credits, just as audiences get comfy. Asking fans to return weekly for measly 30-minute episodes feels cheeky. Whilst usually a stern detractor of the binge format, perhaps the series may have found it a more narratively appropriate approach... only time will tell.

Let’s get clear on one thing though; this hardly damages the jolliness of the second viewing. Dunk and Egg’s electric chemistry continues to spark, as does Dunk’s less-than-gentle exploration of the immediate world around him. Acting like a hero sent to the past, unaccustomed to his surroundings and making a fool of himself as he strives for greatness. This episode’s commanding presence of the Targaryen family raises stakes slightly, making audiences cringe at Dunk’s bluntness and stupidity, aware of the horrors the rulers could inflict upon him at the flick of a finger. Especially given the fact one of their younger children is revealed to be missing. A less than subtle Chekov’s Gun; the idea that referenced factors within a narrative must eventually come to play within the story.

Once again, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reigns supreme over the current television slate. Episode 2’s humour is hot-footed and quick-witted, but a remorseful heart boasts a unique dramatization of the franchise, reinventing the world ever so slightly. Given how the series is adapted from George R. R. Martin’s short novellas set approximately 100 years before the main Game of Thrones series, audiences can expect A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to remain positively tight-knit and self-contained. A much welcome approach certain to continue throughout the remaining 4 episodes, even if the release schedule is slightly questionable. On the other hand, one could rightfully spin the desire for the binge watch format as a testament to the sheer brilliance experienced so far.