Episode Review: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms 1x3 - "The Squire"

Welcome back to the blog readers. I have really been enjoying the newest series in the Game of Thrones universe titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026-). While it may not be as flashy as something like House of the Dragon (2022-), it is different enough to warrant enjoyment for me. The chemistry between our two leads has been beautifully stellar and the atmosphere has been light but not too light. Now that we are halfway through this season, would we begin to crack the pot open with this midpoint episode, titled "The Squire," written by Hiram Martinez, Annie Julia Wyman, and Ira Parker, and directed by Sarah Adina Smith? Stick around to find out.

NOTE: I will be using spoilers for my thoughts, so DO NOT read ahead if you have not seen the episode.

---

I know the main selling point of the show was always going to be the relationship of and chemistry between "Dunk" and "Egg," but I have grown to love all the characters we have seen. This is just such a different show that it feels worthy of the spinoff order, and I cannot wait to see where we go when we get to the end of the show. This midpoint episode was just as good as the previous two, with the performance of Dexter Sol Ansell being a point of praise, as was the bite-sized story that we got this time around.

You guys know how I feel regarding reviewing the performances of children as to not hold them to a higher standard than adult actors, but I have reviewed them as the need arises to. But the performance of Dexter Sol Ansell in this episode was endearing and confident from the jump. For someone who has barely been in anything (and that is understandable since the kid is 11), he really knows how to command a screen presence for someone so young. The scene with the horse is some of the most heartening stuff I have seen all year (so far), and Ansell's endearing and charismatic performance is a big part in that. Plus, his chemistry with Peter Claffey's Ser Duncan the Tall is as excellent as ever.

Like I mentioned in an earlier paragraph, I mentioned that the story of this episode was bite-sized but still impactful based on the ending, and I want to talk about it. We begin this episode the next morning, where Ser Duncan the Tall (aka "Dunk") is fast asleep, but "Egg" is restless. He cannot sleep as he prepares for his day as squire and decides to personally train Duncan's horse Thunder. It takes most of the morning for Thunder to get in shape for the tourney, and it even takes a minute for the horse to relieve himself. "Egg" keeps going until he is met by Ser Robyn Rhysling, who accuses the young boy of stealing the horse. He explains how he is known as the maddest knight in the seven kingdoms and lost his eye in a tourney just like the one Duncan is about to participate in. "Egg" returns Thunder to Duncan, who initially snaps at him for leaving without his permission, but acquiesces, and the two proceed with working on the day's chores.

Later that day, the pair return to Ashford where Duncan learns he actually cannot participate in the tourney today, since this day of opening games is reserved for highborns and nobles. In the meantime, Duncan tries (and fails) again to flirt with Tanselle as the two continue to bond over goose eggs. They talk on the hillside, where "Egg" expresses a desire to stay in a place such as Ashford. He dreams of returning a war hero and taking the second most beautiful daughter (after Duncan takes the first). Duncan even decides to allow "Egg" to stay on as his squire if he is able to win the tourney. Duncan is then approached by Plummer, who takes him out further into the woods to talk to him in private. Plummer gives Duncan "an offer he can't refuse:" instead of risking all his money in the tourney, he can attempt to unseat Lord Ashford's son, Ser Androw, who has already agreed to throw the fight. As a result, Plummer and Lord Ashford can bet on Duncan the entire way to pay off their debts for putting on the games. Duncan is uncomfortable with this idea, but does agree to think it over.

Horns sound and the conversation between the two men is halted: the games have begun. Duncan reunites with "Egg" on the jousting grounds as Aerion Targaryen takes the field. Lord Maekar is not present as he is searching for his sons Daeron and Aegon. Aerion acts out and selects Ser Humfrey Hardyng to be his opponent. The contest is brief: instead of targeting Humfrey's shield or his person, he decides to pierce his lance in the neck of his horse, causing it and him to tumble over, and the horse to land on Humfrey's leg and the horse to be put down. Aerion tries to celebrate his "victory," but he is pelted in stones and debris by a livid crowd that also tries to bullrush the field. The Kingsguard is able to hold the fans back, but they are clearly struggling. Duncan and "Egg" are able to get away from the commotion and Duncan comments on how someone can sink to that kind of low. They take refuge at a party hosted by Lyonel Baratheon and Manfred Dondarrion during a storm, who sing a risqué song that "Egg" takes a liking to.

After it passes, they leave the party where Duncan finds a fortune teller that he pays to give the pair their fortunes. She tells "Egg" that he is destined to become king, die in hot fire, and have worms feed upon his ashes with all that know him reveling in his death. Duncan nervously laughs it off but "Egg" is petrified at this revelation, and the two leave. Duncan sees Raymun Fossoway, who convinces him to enter his tent and drink with him. "Egg" goes to see another of Tanselle's puppet shows, with the show being a knight fighting a dragon. Duncan remains in denial that Aerion killed Humfrey's horse intentionally, but Raymun rants about throwing off the yoke of the dragonlords. The play that "Egg" sees specifically tells the tale of Ser Selwyn of the Mirror Shield. Aerion wanders in near the end of the performance, not happy upon seeing the sigil of House Targaryen "disrespected." "Egg" is able to make it to Raymun's tent and get Duncan's attention. The two make it to the tent just in time to see Aerion break Tanselle's finger. Pissed at seeing his new crush being attacked, Duncan grabs Aerion and punches him and throws him to the ground. When he sees a knife being brandished, he kicks it away. Duncan is taken by the Kingsguard and Aerion threatens to kick his teeth in, but "Egg" jumps in to stop this from happening. He reveals his true identity: he is in fact the long lost Aegon Targaryen, and Aerion his brother. When Aerion asks why he cut his hair, Aegon replies by saying he does not want to look like his brother, leaving Duncan baffled and horrified to end the episode.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms turns its interesting dynamic on its head by introducing some insane plot twists and showcasing that this bite-sized series might mean more to the whole of Westeros than we initially thought. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.