‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’: Season 1 Finale Ending, Explained

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Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 finale!

Like all good shows, the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has come to a close. This Game of Thrones spin-off ends with its signature blend of humor and emotion. The final episode, “The Morrow,” focuses on what happens after the trial by combat, where Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall fought Prince Aerion Targaryen to prove his innocence. Although Dunk won – despite being injured – the beloved Prince Baelor Targaryen sadly passed away soon after, ultimately fulfilling Prince Daeron Targaryen’s vision of dragons returning.

The season finale beautifully wraps up the series’ central ideas by allowing Dunk to become truly independent and step out from under the shadow of his old mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree. It also demonstrates that a show doesn’t need constant action to be captivating, particularly when it’s based on a strong foundation like George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight.

The Aftermath of the Trial of Seven


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Dunk won his trial by combat against Aerion, saving his hand and foot, but the victory came at a high cost. He left the trial badly injured and with the tragic loss of his dragon. The death of Baelor, who died in his arms, deeply affected him. While recovering under the care of Ser Lyonel Baratheon’s maester, who dramatically declared him near death, Dunk was offered a position at Storm’s End. He respectfully refused, believing he brings bad luck to those around him. A particularly humorous moment came when Lyonel mentioned his caravan would leave “after the roast,” immediately followed by a shot of Baelor’s funeral pyre – easily the funniest line of the episode.

After Baelor’s funeral, Dunk spoke with his son, Prince Valarr, who questioned why the gods had taken his father but spared Dunk. Dunk himself was also pondering this. He then met up with Raymun Fossoway, who had recently been knighted and established a new branch of House Fossoway at Cider Hall – he’s even married and might be expecting a child. Raymun has been very productive lately.

Prince Maekar Targaryen, the man who killed Baelor during the trial by combat, asks Dunk to consider taking Prince Aegon, nicknamed “Egg,” as his squire. Egg overhears their discussion, unknowingly sealing off another potential path for his future. Meanwhile, Aerion recovers from the trial, and Egg attempts to attack him while he sleeps – a fitting act considering Aerion’s reputation as “Aerion the Monstrous.”

Dunk Struggles to Map Out His Future in the Wake of the Tourney


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Ser Duncan the Tall faced a difficult choice. He could accept Lyonel’s invitation to a life of revelry with The Laughing Storm, or he could take Maekar’s offer to train as a knight at Summerhall. Maekar’s proposal included a home, food, and training for both Dunk and his young squire, Egg, all without cost. Both options were attractive, leaving Dunk unsure whether to choose one or find a different path entirely.

Despite his reservations, Dunk trusts his instincts and wants to forge his own path, refusing to be controlled by others. This desire for independence, much like the overall story of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is about finding one’s identity. Dunk is growing up alongside Egg, and initially, he tries to distance himself from everyone, convinced that anyone he gets close to will either abandon him or meet an untimely end – he feels cursed with bad luck. The extended flashback in episode five, showing Dunk’s difficult childhood in Flea Bottom, reveals the source of his trauma and how it deeply shapes his self-perception.

A Knight of the Nine Kingdoms and His Squire


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In the end, it’s Daeron who convinces Dunk to take Egg on as a squire. Daeron remembers a time when his brother, Aerion, wasn’t cruel, and wonders if people are born mad, or if their experiences shape them. He hopes to steer Egg away from becoming like Aerion, believing it’s still possible to guide him. The show often highlights how Arlan shaped Dunk into the knight he is, and Dunk now sees a chance to do the same for Egg, preventing him from following the paths of either Aerion or Daeron.

Dunk agrees to Maekar’s offer, but with conditions. He and Egg won’t be staying at Summerhall; instead, Dunk wants to take Egg on the road, letting him learn through experience like Dunk did with Arlan. Maekar is against this, pointing out that Egg is a prince and shouldn’t be traveling among commoners. However, Dunk stands firm on his idea. The story doesn’t reveal whether Maekar ultimately agrees, but he does mention that Egg is his only remaining son.

Before saying goodbye, Dunk gives Raymun Sweetfoot a gift. Raymun intends to grow his family’s cider business. Egg catches up with Dunk, and it seems Maekar is okay with them both traveling around Westeros together. As they leave Ashford, Dunk and Egg discuss where to go next, choosing Dorne. Egg then casually mentions he’s heard Dorne has excellent puppet shows. During their ride, Egg explains the true layout of the realm, clarifying that there are actually nine kingdoms – the Crownlands, Westerlands, Stormlands, Riverlands, Iron Islands, the North, the Reach, the Vale of Arryn, and Dorne – not just seven. As they ride on, the ghostly image of Arlan can be seen running across a field, symbolizing Dunk’s progress and recovery from his loss.

As the Targaryen army rides away from Ashford, Maekar suddenly realizes his son, Egg, is gone. He hadn’t allowed Egg to travel with Dunk, creating a situation similar to the movie Home Alone, but set in the world of Westeros. Maekar’s reaction is reminiscent of Catherine O’Hara’s frantic mother in the film.

How ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Ending Differs From the Book


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Much of the story from “The Morrow” didn’t appear in The Hedge Knight. After the trial scene, the novella itself is quite short and moves directly to the conclusion. Like previous installments in the series, the show uses the exact dialogue from the book. While Lyonel’s offer isn’t present in The Hedge Knight, his role was notably larger in the television adaptation; he’s a relatively small character in the original novella.

Several scenes in the Season 1 finale weren’t part of the original story, including Raymun’s appearances, Arlan’s story about the Pennytree, and the scene with Daeron. The show also changes the timeline of the Targaryen army’s departure compared to the book. Additionally, Egg doesn’t attempt to kill Aerion while he’s sleeping. However, these changes actually improve the story and add depth to the characters.

The Real Meaning Behind ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’


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Dunk is haunted by the memory of Arlan, and his grief makes it hard to see things clearly. When Dunk arrives at Ashford, he desperately tries to get people to remember Arlan fondly. We see him praising his mentor, but these moments are contrasted with flashbacks of Arlan behaving badly. This highlights how our memories of those we’ve lost can become distorted and idealized over time.

Arlan often treated Dunk poorly. In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dunk deals with this mistreatment and consciously decides not to repeat the pattern with his new squire, Egg – essentially breaking a cycle of harmful behavior. This series thoughtfully explores whether people are naturally good or evil, or if their upbringing and experiences shape their sense of right and wrong. Ultimately, it asks us to consider what truly defines a knight.

Even though people constantly try to humiliate Egg, Dunk chooses to be kind to his young apprentice. Dunk’s sadness about losing his difficult father figure, Arlan, is made worse by his feeling that he doesn’t deserve a friend. Having lost his parents, and then Rafe, Arlan, and Baelor, Dunk has become isolated. But he finds a new sense of purpose in guiding Egg, focusing on someone else and finding a direction for his own life.

Dunk truly becomes himself when he steps out of Arlan’s shadow, finally leaving the memory of his former master behind. He’s no longer just known as Arlan of Pennytree’s squire; he’s Ser Duncan the Tall, an independent man who’s now guiding a prince. From this point on, his path is his own.




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2026-02-23 06:37