This review contains spoilers for the Season Finale of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.’
Game of Thrones is largely recognised as one of television’s greatest feats, with fans recently even coming around on the show’s widely disliked final season. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms harnessed fans’ yearning for high-quality Westeros-based television, melting elements of comedy, drama, and action into a recipe for success celebrated by all. Boasting a 93% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series is a unanimous achievement, which allows audiences both old and new to theorise on the weekly releases and immerse themselves in violent, unpredictable fantasy that pulls no punches.
The series finale titled “The Morrow,” follows the immediate aftermath of Ser Dunk’s (Peter Claffey) Trial of Seven. A brutal brawl consisting of sides led by accuser, Ser Dunk, and the accuser, Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett). Concluding with Dunk’s victory and the death of King Baelor Targaryen, at the hands of his own brother’s mace. Opening up to an injured Dunk, accompanied by Daniel Ings’ (The Crown) nattering Ser Lyonel Baratheon, as well as mediocre medic, audiences are met with unfathomable guilt, amongst dire injuries. Ser Dunk is troubled by his survival and Baelor Targaryen’s demise, questioning the legitimacy of the gods, saving the man with no honour, and letting the beloved royal fall victim to violence. Here, questions of Ser Dunk’s legitimacy as a Hedge Knight are raised, with conspirasists given more to chew on.
Self-described as a “fraud,” the substantial implication lies within Dunk not having actually been knighted by Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb) during his service as a squire. Previously, this was left up to interpretation, an ambiguity to Dunk possessing an air of mystery. Throughout A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms final episode, audiences are teased this further and further, until an flashback sequence delivers official confirmation at Ser Dunk the Tall’s fraudulent title. Admittedly, the ambiguity was a flavoursome note that didn’t need spelling out. Leaving the narrative carrying a spoon-feeding mentality that comes across unnecessary, even in its attempt to make Dunk appear both more heroic and inexperienced.
However, outside of this moment the episode is layered with a heart-aching emotions, guilt, grief, betrayal and hatred adding unseen elements to the Targaryen family and their relationships, specifically that of Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) and his father, Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell). Egg’s dynamic with Ser Dunk has been a season highlight offering sincerity and laughs, but their separation for much of the finale foreshadows the opposite journeys they appear to be heading towards: Ser Dunk unsure of his next move, no plan and barely a shield on his back, and then Egg, distantly in line for the throne but laced with unfathomable riches. And yet, Maekar Targaryen’s desperate pleas for Dunk to train under his watch with Egg as his squire rings the bells of excitement. That is, at least, until Ser Dunk counters his offer, requesting to take Egg across the seven kingdoms as a squire, living a peasant lifestyle to toughen him up, an offer swiftly rejected by the pompous royal.
Whilst the episode is largely short of laughs, instead honing into the consequences of Targaryen arrogance and unnecessary violence, the conclusion and final revelation brings Egg and Dunk back together. Explanations of a changed mind and belief in Dunk’s Hedge Knight abilities, with the truth of such only revealed to audiences, infuse a familiar heart into the final minutes, as the pair mount their horses on an adventure into the unknown. As a conclusion to Season 1, “The Morrow” swiftly wraps up lingering conversations and closes side characters’ contributions, offering audiences a chance to say goodbye to these characters, for now, rather than deliver an extravagant twist and final fight in a cinematic style event. At least, until a final scene featuring Maekar Targaryen leaving his castle and questioning the whereabouts of Egg reveal to audiences that once again, Egg was not given permission to act as Ser Dunk’s squire, but has chosen to run away to join the Hedge Knight on his travels, with Dunk blissfully unaware.
Overall, this brilliantly encapsulates the dynamic of the duo and reinforces much of the success behind the series. Praise rightfully has been awarded to actors Claffey, Sol Ansell and Bertie Carvel (The Tragedy of Macbeth), but more credit needs to be given to the writers room. Adapting a short story with such gripping energy, and frankly an unassuming plot in comparison to other Game of Thrones books, is no easy feat. Yet, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ snappy runtimes, raucous laughs and inspirational action boast a truly unstoppable feat of television that will be difficult to beat, all whilst setting up a second season. The Season Finale may stand out as more contained and simplistic, but tees up an exciting future, and simultaneously waves goodbye to one of 2026’s standout series. If you haven’t binged this adventure already, there is no better time than the present.
