Ryan Kirksey
The following recap contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2, “Hard Salt Beef” (written by Aziza Barnes & Ira Parker and directed by Owen Harris). Light spoilers also include plot points from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
Coming out of Episode 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there seem to be two primary questions viewers of this show are asking. The first has to do with the exoteric question of the nature of the show and what it is intended to be in the larger Game of Thrones universe. The second is more plot-based and narrative-focused, but perhaps is the fundamental question that will be answered throughout the course of this first, six-episode season.
Let’s tackle the question about the nature of the show first. In a text conversation this week with a friend of mine who is an avid watcher of all things Game of Thrones, he said about the first episode, “It kind of felt like they were trying to keep it comedy-ish.” There were hints and murmurs about this idea when the trailers for this season were first released, and certainly they have been confirmed by a number of moments and sight gags in the first two episodes.
After the cheeky cut from the original Game of Thrones theme song to Dunk’s (Peter Claffey) disturbing bowel movement in Episode 1, there was endless online debate about whether or not that type of humor belonged in a Game of Thrones show. Even George R.R. Martin weighed in on the topic.
The first minute or so of Episode 2, where we have another sight gag that puts Ser Arlan’s (Danny Webb)—how shall we say it—manhood on full display, it’s clear the showrunners of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms plan to keep the humor and the farcical coming. Shocking naked moments might be a part of it, but so will moments such as when Egg (Dester Sol Ansell) tells Dunk he should find Longthorn Tyrell and “turn his arsehole into a lance hole.”
Tyrion Lannister once said in Game of Thrones that “the true history of the world is the history of great conversations in elegant rooms.” It appears through two episodes that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is going to be a lot of common conversations in smelly horse stables, but to me, it’s refreshing as a side of Westeros we have yet to explore.
The second question is, and will be, essential to understanding Ser Duncan the Tall’s place in this world. Is he actually a knight? Perhaps more importantly, does it matter if he was knighted by Ser Arlan or not if no one recognizes his status? In a voiceover at the beginning of this episode, as we watch scenes of Dunk and Ser Arlan together towards the end of Arlan’s life, Dunk makes appeals to House Florent, House Hayford, and House Tyrell in his continued attempt to find someone who remembers Ser Arlan and will endorse Dunk for the tournament lists.
“Ser Arlan was a great knight. Someone will remember him,” says Dunk.
In one sense, it’s a desperate plea for Dunk to earn his keep (and more riches and a career) as a member of the tournament. But in another, it is an appeal to Dunk’s own sense of purpose: the life he has led to this point under the tutelage of a man he holds in such high regard was not a waste. Is a man as great as we claim him to be if he did not leave an impression on this world?
Ironically, it’s not until the Targaryen family arrives at the tournament under all their pomp and circumstance that Dunk is finally able to locate someone who remembers the greatness of Ser Arlan. Firstborn son of the king and heir to the Iron Throne, Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel), arrives with his brother Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell).
In these two men, we see the embodiment of the famous line from King Jaehaerys, “When a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin.” Baelor is humble, decent, and respectful, even to lowly hedge knights with no lineage like Dunk. Maekar is dismissive, petty, and overbearing.
Dunk follows them inside the Ashford castle, where he overhears them talking about Maekar’s missing sons: Roland and Aegon. They seem only mildly concerned about their absence and believe they will show up to accompany the rest of the family by the end of the tournament. After being discovered, Dunk, to his credit, continues his quest to find someone who can vouch for Ser Arlan.
Dunk tells a tale of how Arlan jousted many years ago with Baelor, and the Targaryens had to break a number of lanes before they were able to defeat him. This made an impression on Baelor, and he tells the tournament master he sees no reason why Dunk should not be named to the lists. Finally, Dunk receives the validation he has been looking for concerning his mentor, but he is still looking for validation as a knight.
Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett) sees Dunk and comments that “knighthood has fallen on sad days.” Another member of the party tells Dunk that “a sword and shield do not make a knight.” Dunk knows that he has work to do and promises to fight bravely in the tournaments.
In their downtime, Dunk and Egg watch a puppet show and meet Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford), a Dornish puppeteer who is also an accomplished painter. Dunk knows he needs a new sigil for his shield, and so employs her to paint it with a sunset, an elm tree, and a shooting star, connecting all of Dunk’s past and present. This symbol will eventually become famous in some of Dunk’s later tales, but its origins are simple and begin with a puppet show that caught their attention.
Dunk is then approached by Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), who asks if Dunk will heed his call to war. Stimulated by the request, Dunk jumps at the chance, but soon learns that the war is simply a game of tug of war. Dunk performs admirably, saving the Baratheon squad from their fate in a muddy pit.
The last order of business for Dunk ahead of the tournament is to find some armor. Even after negotiating the armor-maker down from 800 stags to 600, Dunk admits he only has two to his name. He sells one of his horses to pay for the rest, knowing he will need armor for perhaps jousting and combat.
As the last night before the tournament begins grows late, the greatest houses send out their best knights for a jousting exhibition ahead of the games. It’s both a wild spectacle that amazes Dunk and Egg, but also a stark reminder to Dunk that the great knights are celebrated, honored, and feared. More importantly, they are remembered. Ser Arlan does not have that distinction among these great houses, so Dunk understands he is the only remaining part of Ser Arlan’s legacy that must help the rest understand his greatness.
While others may have already come to this realization, Dunk finally realizes that it is true; a sword and shield are not what make a great knight. Dunk wants them all to see what Ser Arlan’s “hand has wrought,” setting up the tournament to be quite the proving ground for someone who is currently the most anonymous knight across the seven kingdoms.
