A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms -- A Game of Thrones Prequel that Breaks New Ground

When I did my January Television Blog a few weeks ago of what I had been watching, and what I was looking forward to watching when it came out -- I made a critical error. I didn't include the newest entrant in the Game of Thrones World, another prequel called A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms. And it's not because I wasn't excited for it -- I had no idea it was coming out so soon.

But I've been watching it weekly on Sunday nights -- alongside Industry, which may warrant it's own blog soon -- and I'm happy to report through 3 episodes, it's a banger. A prequel set roughly 80 years after House of the Dragon -- and roughly 90 years before Game of Thrones -- following two unlikely heroes wandering the world of Westeros: Dunk and Egg.

Dunk -- aka Ser Duncan The Tall -- is a young "hedge Knight" we meet following the passing of his former mentor. Dunk takes up his mentor's sword, shield, and horses, and makes his way to enlist in a Jousting Tournament. Along the way he meets Egg -- a small boy who offers his services to be Dunk's Squire -- which Dunk begrudgingly accepts, setting us off on their journey.

The 1st 3 episodes of the 1st season have been released -- a season that I believe is slated for 6 total episodes. So at the halfway point, I wanted to write about why I've enjoyed this show so much -- and how it is breaking ground in the world of Game of Thrones. It has separated itself from House of the Dragon -- a fine prequel in it's own right. But A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms is a more enjoyable, more accessible prequel with more potential to be a long-running classic.

Shorter Episodes - More Comedy

There's nothing wrong with hour-long dramas -- don't get me wrong. But that's what we had with GOT, and that's what we've gotten with HOTD -- so it's a refreshing twist on the GOT shows we're accustomed to when we get a 30ish minute, almost sitcom-style Westeros show.

It's not a pure comedy show -- it's categorized as a Drama, there are plenty of dramatic elements and action sequences that we're used to seeing from GOT. But it makes a lot more time for comedy -- whether it's by subverting your expectations with a joke or bit as tension rises, or cutting to a funny flashback scene, or just letting Dunk & Egg cook with their funny dynamic.

I've really enjoyed that aspect of the show so far, and I think it makes it a more enjoyable watch than the ultra serious, extremely dark, and always intense vibes of HOTD. And the more light-hearted moments sprinkled throughout make the moments of tension all the more effective. It strikes an extremely strong emotional balance and blends different genre elements well.

Perfect Casting for the 2 Leads

I didn't know very much about Dunk & Egg coming into watching this show -- just tidbits from watching GOT and tidbits on social media. But through the first half of the season, I think it's safe to say they nailed it casting the unlikely duo.

Peter Claffey plays Dunk -- an Irish actor who's a mounting 6 foot 5, and looks even bigger on screen. Dexter Sol Ansell is the name of the boy actor that plays Egg -- just 11 years old, looks even younger, and has the perfect voice that makes the jokes funnier, and the endearing moments more endearing.

They also did a nice job populating the world with great characters played by great actors, most of which are from the family's we're familiar with -- but are uniquely their own. Lyonel Baratheon (played by Daniel Ings) has been an early favorite of mine -- Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel) as well, a very different type of Targaryen -- and Aerion, played by Finn Bennett, who is very much the type of character you'd expect from the Dragon House.

Familiar World, but Breaks New Ground

It's always nice to be in a familiar location, space, narrative when watching something. Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Lord of the Rings -- there's a reason they've been very successful, and there's a reason they're able to spin-off and do different movies and shows in their universe.

But what makes those spin-offs more successful, is when they're able to achieve something different than their predecessors. Think Andor in the Star Wars world -- or changing the vibes of the franchise from the prior 2 movies with Thor: Ragnarok. When Game of Thrones ended, and House of the Dragon followed -- I think HOTD is a good show, but it's almost too similar to GOT in many ways.

I mean -- HOTD literally has the exact same theme song as GOT, just changes the intro visuals. In AKOTSK -- Minor Spoiler Alert -- they trick you into thinking it's going to that old theme song, then cut right through it with a hilarious bit.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms definitely feels like a Game of Thrones universe show -- but it doesn't feel like it's copying GOT. Which is not only very refreshing, but in many ways improves upon/makes the context that came before it stronger.

There's going to be overlap in terms of the families, events, geography of the universe the story is told in -- but finding unique and creative methods to tell that story, without trying to imitate to shows before you — is the true success. And to this point, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is succeeding on that front — creating a show that’s familiar, unique, emotional, dramatic, and hilarious.

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, I highly recommend giving this show a shot and seeing what you think! If you're watching -- let me know in the comments what you think so far.