A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the Anti-Game of Thrones

by

Despite the positive reviews for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, some fans are loudly criticizing its ending – a familiar complaint, much like the one leveled at House of the Dragon from the start. This criticism is tireless and unpaid, fueled purely by passion. Regardless of whether fans agree with the critique or feel it’s still relevant after all this time, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has become another focus of it.

George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, has publicly expressed his disappointment with the way House of the Dragon has developed, and he reportedly has a very strained relationship with writer Ryan Condal. This dissatisfaction may stem from the fact that he hadn’t finished writing the Game of Thrones books, potentially leading the show down a different path. However, this is just speculation. Similarly, the meaning behind the critical opening scene of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—which seemed to critique Game of Thrones itself—remains open to interpretation.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Isn‘t Afraid of Getting Dirty

The first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms opens with a somber scene: Dunk is burying Ser Arlan of Pennytree, a knight he greatly admired and remembered as just and honorable. Though flashbacks reveal a more complicated past for Ser Arlan, Dunk’s positive memories remain. After the burial, Dunk finds himself lost, unsure of what path to take now that his mentor is gone.

Dunk spends his time practicing with Ser Arlan’s sword and imagining how he’d handle a bandit. Realizing he’d likely be outmatched alone, he decides to compete in the Ashford Tourney, hoping to catch the eye of a lord and become a knight. As Dunk stands proudly, pleased with his plan, the famous Game of Thrones theme music begins to swell… but just as it reaches its most powerful moment…

The scene abruptly shifts to Dunk experiencing obvious discomfort while using the bathroom behind a tree, and the show doesn’t shy away from showing it all. Throughout its run, Game of Thrones has presented shocking content, but this moment might be the most disgusting thing it’s ever depicted. It’s clear that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is signaling a departure from the expectations fans have for a Game of Thrones story.

Okay, so this isn’t going to be one of those huge, sprawling fantasy adventures with armies clashing and dragons soaring. Forget those intense political power plays around a massive table. This is a much more personal story – it follows a single knight, one of the lowest ranks you can get, as he navigates life in the Seven Kingdoms. It’ll be epic in its own way, but it’s a quieter kind of story, not one that needs a huge, dramatic musical introduction. It’s more about the journey of one person, not a massive war or kingdom.

Did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Comment on Game of Thrones’ Ending?

Everyone is likely wondering if this moment reflects badly on how Game of Thrones ended. While the jarring images combined with the beautiful music might suggest it does, that isn’t necessarily true. Despite his issues with the story, Martin hasn’t publicly criticized the finale or the show’s creators. It’s telling that he freely discusses House of the Dragon and his falling out with its creator, but remains silent about Game of Thrones.

It’s understandable why Martin might be less upset about the ending of Game of Thrones than the second season of House of the Dragon. Game of Thrones was his original creation, and without it, none of the other shows would exist. While ruining it feels like a bigger mistake, it’s possible he’s simply more protective of the series he initially built. The fact that the book series is still unfinished likely adds to his feelings, or maybe he’s reacting to what feels like a pattern of disappointment.

It’s important to remember that the showrunner of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms collaborated closely with George R.R. Martin while writing the first season. They shared ideas and Martin provided feedback, with the goal of creating a show he would approve of. If Martin disliked a particular scene, like the one involving defecation, it likely wouldn’t have been included. It’s best to view that scene as a playful nod to the differences between the main Game of Thrones series and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere every Sunday on HBO.

Read More

2026-01-19 21:11