The sixth and closing episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wrapped up numerous the character moments and threads set in movement all through the course of the season. Tinged with a way of “why me”, a depressing Dunk questions his place within the greater image, in a world with out Baelor Targaryen in it, due to him indirectly, form or type.
He brings this sense of fear to Lyonel, who chastises Dunk for considering Baelor really did something noble. He fought in opposition to individuals who have been sworn to not injure him, whereas individuals like himself, Reymun, and the 2 Humphreyes put their lives on the road in Dunk’s identify. It does little to make Dunk really feel higher, although, whose survival guilt is tearing him aside. An excellent man, a rarity among the many noble class, he’s found, has died due to him. As a result of he selected to defend a peasant lady. As Maekar notes in a while within the episode, he could also be remembered because the one who struck the blow that killed his brother, however Dunk might be simply as a lot remembered because the one who killed Baelor. When crops fail, and wars are misplaced, and Baelor isn’t there to place it proper, Dunk and Maekor might be accountable. No stress.
However regardless of the glances and hesitations from individuals round him, Dunk is now a recognized entity, and he will get a proposal not solely from Lyonel to maneuver to Storm’s Finish, however from Maekor to let Egg be his squire at Summerhall if he bends the knee and stays at court docket. Dunk refuses each, telling Maekor that he’s had sufficient of princes. Comprehensible feeling contemplating occasions which have transpired, however one which stings Egg, stating that maybe he was fallacious about Dunk being the knight he thought he was afterall. Egg appears to be like as much as Dunk due to his humble upbringing and his clear code of proper and fallacious, one thing sorely missing at court docket, and this refusal to assist tutor Egg in chivlary stings.
After reflecting on Set Arlan’s closing moments, of not letting story go unfinished, and talking with Prince Daeron about how Aerion was once a form boy, Dunk brings Maekor a counterproposal: let Egg squire with Dunk on the street, below the hedges, away from the Targaryens and the corruption of energy. Maekor naturally refuses, which is predicted given his station, however extra stunning was the refined revelations of simply how a lot the bitter prince cares for his youngest son. When Egg considers killing Aerion, Maekor doesn’t scold or beat Egg, however holds him shut in silent understanding and some of the emotionally weak moments between Targayens we’ve seen thus far. However I’m certain Egg was eavesdropping as soon as once more on Dunk’s dialog, and by the top of the episode, he has snuck away from his father as soon as once more and joins up with Dunk to hit the street to components unknown, the place new adventures await them within the 9 kingdoms, as Egg scolds Dunk for not understanding higher.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms actually had its justifiable share of bizarre and out-of-place moments. From the projectile pooping, Ser Arlan’s third leg, and the very actual music used on the finish of the finale that took me out of the present and made me consider South Parkthere have been moments that felt prefer it was going out of its method to do one thing completely different. These smaller moments often didn’t work for me. I additionally nonetheless suppose this may’ve labored higher as a three-hour film. However the present was fortunately elevated by nice appearing, nice writing, tight runtimes, a faithfulness to the supply materials, and a way of enjoyable. What’s extra, although, is that we had a hero character we might get behind and root for. Dunk could also be a lunk, however he’s good-hearted and carries the virtues of a knight excess of these pesky nobles do. It’s good to have a clear-cut hero with out being muddled by “morally gray” tropes, to cheer on the straightforward act of doing the suitable factor. I, for one, can’t await future tales of Dunk and Egg.