Warning! Includes SPOILERS for “The Hedge Knight,” the short story by George R.R. Martin on which A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based!
The new Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, finally has a replacement for Arya and the Hound. Don’t get me wrong, House of the Dragon has plenty of great qualities, but one of the primary differences between it and the original show is the sense of adventure and occasional whimsy. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms might provide that once again.
Since Game of Thrones’ ending in 2019, many series, spinoffs or not, have attempted to capture its glory. While certain shows have fulfilled different aspects of what made the epic fantasy title so great, there’s nothing that’s come close to attaining all of it. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms won’t either, but it’s not trying to, and that’s why I’m so thrilled about it.
Dunk & Egg’s Dynamic In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Is A Much More Wholesome Version Of Arya & The Hound
Peter Claffey’s Ser Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansell’s Egg lying down looking at the stars in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Arya and the Hound’s adventures in Game of Thrones seasons 3 and 4 made for a strangely heartfelt mismatched duo, with both characters pushing past initial differences to find solidarity in the harshness of their lives. They were molded by pain, and that gave them strength, though it also left a complex rift between them.
Dunk and Egg, the two lead characters of the upcoming series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, also find an unexpected bond. Dunk is a hedge knight, a man who’s sworn his vows but not to any particular lord, and wanders the Seven Kingdoms in search of work. Egg is a Targaryen prince, the fifth son of King Maekar I Targaryen.
Rather than the rough edges Arya has to climb past to break ground with the Hound, Egg finds a rather suitable mentor and friend in Dunk. The Targaryen court in King’s Landing hasn’t been the best influence for Egg, aside from exceptions like Aemon (Castle Black’s future maester), and he benefits from being around a kind-hearted man who values honor.
Dunk, on the other hand, gains the obvious advantages of having a prince at his side, squiring for him in his knightly duties. But beyond that, he takes a quick liking to Egg and becomes protective of the boy. After having to bury his own mentor, Dunk finds profound meaning in caring for Egg.
Arya & Egg Share A Very Similar Story Challenge
Dexter Sol Ansell’s Egg looking nervous while holding the reins to a horse in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Oddly enough, Arya and Egg have some of their own parallels, aside from being halves of their respective, oddly whimsical duos. Both characters were forced to hide their identities, particularly from noble families, and cut their hair to do so. Arya cuts hers to fake being a boy, and Egg shaves his head to hide his Targaryen giveaway: the regal silver hair.
Even more importantly, Arya and Egg both find more joy in the idea of riding around the Seven Kingdoms with swords at their sides than in the stately duties that come with being a noble. I have a feeling that audiences will take to Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms with a similar sense of endearment.
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