A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Squire
The tourney’s circumstances are heating up on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 3, “The Squire.”
As Dunk carefully considers a proposal that could make or break his reputation, “The Squire” follows the titular character, Egg.
It is a whirlwind episode with shocking revelations, controversial narrative decisions, and horrific mishaps.
Egg is front and center on this episode as he tries to be the best possible squire for Dunk.
Egg’s actions illustrate who he is. He is benevolent, playful, and curious—characteristics to note, considering the big reveal at the end of the episode.
Egg: I think a horse doesn’t want to be ordered about any more than a man does.
In the last scene on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 3, “The Squire,” Egg finally reveals his true identity—he is Prince Aegon, the youngest son of Prince Maekar, and a Targaryen.
This revelation is shocking for a multitude of reasons. On a superficial level, Maekar has finally found his youngest son, safe from harm.
On a critical level, Egg’s identity shows how different he is from his family. He is not bitter like Maekar or cruel like Aerion. He is an inquisitive child who wants to distance himself from his name.
Egg contrasting his family also foreshadows his reign as Aegon V. Egg is considerably different from previous Targaryen kings, and a lot of it has to do with his time as Dunk’s squire.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is essentially Aegon V’s backstory and how his role as Dunk’s squire shapes him into the ruler he becomes.
However, this show also makes a controversial narrative decision that will surely ignite a hot debate among audiences: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is officially following the characterization on Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones is notorious for mischaracterizing several iconic characters in A Song of Ice and Fire, from Arya Stark to Jon Snow.
Daenerys Targaryen might be Game of Thrones‘ most misinterpreted character, with key aspects of her personality and arc completely erased.
By the end of the show, Daenerys is a tyrant obsessed with power and control. She terrifies the smallfolk, and many allies turn on her.
It is unknown what Daenerys’ fate will be in A Song of Ice and Fire. However, given how Game of Thrones has drastically altered her character, her ending will likely be different.
In the books, Daenerys shares many parallels with her ancestor Egg. It is only natural that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows the same trajectory, so Egg must share similarities with Daenerys’ characterization on Game of Thrones.
While it is unknown how Egg and Daenerys will parallel each other in the show universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms plants the seed on “The Squire” when a fortune teller tells Egg that everyone who knows him will celebrate his death when the time comes.
Aegon V’s death is not celebrated in A Song of Ice and Fire—he is beloved by the smallfolk for his compassion and altruism as a king.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms introducing this idea suggests that Egg will eventually do something that will turn the realm against him. While several controversies occur during Aegon V’s rule, nothing he does drastically changes what the people think of him.
However, since Daenerys Targaryen is a different character on Game of Thrones, it makes sense for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ Egg to follow in her footsteps, similarly to how their book counterparts parallel each other.
Dunk: I do not want a victory that I have not earned.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Episode 3, “The Squire,” also features Dunk and Aerion in challenging positions.
Dunk must decide whether to cheat in the tourney, but he is strongly opposed to it. On the other hand, Aerion is not afraid to play dirty, as he fatally wounds his opponent’s horse to secure his victory.
The contrast between Dunk and Aerion illustrates who they are. Dunk may be just a hedge knight, but he is honorable and loyal. He considers bending the rules, but he does not go through with it.
Meanwhile, Aerion is notorious for his cruelty. He is so awful that Egg, his own brother, cheers for his potential death. Aerion is a crazed man, feared by those who know him well.
Dunk and Aerion’s notable differences foreshadow their violent clash at the end of “The Squire,” when Dunk saves Tanselle from Aerion’s brutality.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms becomes more compelling as the narrative unfolds, and it will be fascinating to see what happens to Dunk next.
What did you think of this episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs Sundays at 10/9c on HBO.
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Sarah Novack
Sarah has been a passionate writer and blogger about various forms of media for as long as she can remember, and her favorite method of expressing this passion is through writing and discussion. She loves way too many TV shows, books, and movies, specializing in book-to-screen adaptations, fantasy, sitcoms, and procedurals.