A Knight of the Seven Kingdom, (AKSK) is HBO’s latest follow up on the blockbuster series Game of Thrones and House of Dragon. Chronologically, AKSK takes place in the 100-ish years between HoD and GoT. All three fantasy shows are based on books by author George R.R. Martin. While the latter two are epic in scope, cast, and plot, AKSK is close and achingly personal.
However, for all the hype, watching both GoT and HoD often felt like a job. Just as often, it was a painful job. Thankfully, AKSK is completely different.
*Spoiler Alert* You know the drill. Continue reading at your own risk.
The story of Dunk, (Peter Claffey) a squire-turned-knight looking to secure his place in a scary world and Egg, (Dexter Sol Ansell) a runaway prince who desperately wants to squire for a real knight, AKSK is television's best buddy-series in at least a decade.
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| Egg trying to sort things out. |
When Egg, (his Momma named him 'Aegon') asks Dunk if he is real knight, he's not asking for references and work history. To him a “real” knight is not a complete psychotic or a degenerate alcoholic. See, Egg has two brothers with the title but between them there isn’t one real knight. Or much of a decent human being.
Here’s the rub, Dunk (Ser Duncan) is a knight of questionable provenance. As in there are no witnesses to Dunk’s knighting. No one remembers his former lord. Oh, and he’s a bit, um, threadbare even by lordless-knight standards.
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| 'bama: unsophisticated person of modest education/background. |
Through a comedy of virtues, Dunk ends up on the wrong side of the ruling family. Namely, Prince Aerion Targaryan, (Finn Bennett) a grandson of the king. Aerion wants blood for Dunk’s offense, (punching and kicking him in the face).
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| Prince Aerion, nowhere near as nice as he seems. |
But as mighty and formidable as Aerion is, Dunk makes two of him. And this is perhaps George R.R. Martin’s greatest gift. He’s been around enough to know that the toughest tough guy seldom wants to mix it up with anyone big enough to pull a wagon and eat hay.
Most writers (new and otherwise) don’t get that memo. They are moved by the legend of Leonidas and his Spartans (each warrior worth a thousand), Richard the Lionheart–who led from the front against superior forces, the unstoppable Genghis Khan, and last but not least, Alexander the Great and (purportedly) undefeated.
In fiction we have Thor, Achilles, and Aragorn. They’re all fine characters but the trope isn’t. It’s dishonest and worse, it’s boring.
So, who does it right?
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| For context, this is a graduation ceremony. |
Frank Herbert’s Sardaukar are the fiercest fighters in the known universe. They instill terror in anyone facing them—although mostly, they attack from behind/ambush. Then they meet the Fremen who bring the fight to them with a religious frenzy.
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| Fought this duel after a sword-tip was removed from his arm. |
In Richard Lester’s 1973 version of The Three Musketeers, Athos, (Oliver Reed) is the best swordsman of the group. But swords are swords and a watermill doesn’t care about reputation. Athos’ cloak gets snagged on a watermill and he takes a sword tip to the throat.
Bonus points for D’Artagnan, who kills the deadly swordsman, Rochefort—with a broken sword.
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| FIERCE |
In the Netflix Original, Last Samurai Standing, (based on the manga by Shogo Imamura) Saga Kokushu, (Junichi Okada) is a renowned swordsman and samurai, (military leader in feudal Japan). His nom de guerre is “Kokushu, the man slayer.” Unfortunately, in19th century Japan the samurai class is fast approaching extinction.
In flashback, we (and Kokushu) watch as artillery and rifle companies cut his army to pieces. As a result, Kokushu suffers from PTSD. The mere sound of a sword drawn immobilizes Kokushu as he descends into uncontrollable shakes.
What’s the problem you ask? Just don’t fight. Well, as previously stated the times, they are a changing. The samurai in service to daimyo (petty nobles) have all been dismissed. The landed samurai, (like Kokushu) struggle to make ends meet. Oh, and a cholera epidemic is sweeping the island. Kokushu’s own child has died and his village is suffering.
The only option is an organized series of duels. Really, more like brawls conducted under shadowy circumstances no one can really trust. Still, desperate samurai of all stations—even Kokushu—gather to slaughter each other for the promise of a life-saving fortune.
Except Kokushu still cannot draw his sword, even to defend himself. Yeah, the “compelling,” like the conflict is baked in. Throw in a kid who looks/acts a lot like Kokushu’s late child and you have money in the bank. Which is why the series has already been renewed for a 2nd season by the notoriously fickle Netflix, (seriously, they are the deadliest swordsmen).
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| Um, what does this have to do with that big 'bama and bald kid? |
Dunk is barely qualified for the tournament he’s begs/barrows/steals his way into. Assaulting the king’s grandson was NOT part of the plan. On top of all that the little twit knows the law.
Aerion has been trained his whole life for single combat. He is the preeminent swordsman of his age. Dunk had to pawn his horse to buy armor. I’m not joking.
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| Not as stupid as he looks. |
But Aerion knows one thing for sure he does NOT want to fight that big ‘bama all by his onesies. He invokes a challenge of seven. Really the full explanation isn’t worth the typing. Basically, Dunk has to come up with six other schlubs to fight with him or he forfeits his right arm and right leg.
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| Who wouldn't trust this guy? Um, just watch his hands. |
Long-story-short, Dunk’s drinking buddy and maybe-friend, Lyonel gets a gang of reprobates together. Still, he’s still one man short. Then, as if delivered from the heavens, Prince Baelor Breakspear (Bertie Carvel) heir to the throne, Aerion’s uncle, and the best swordsman in the seven (nine, whatevs) kingdoms pledges to fight alongside Dunk.
Yay! Right?
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| "Is that my blood? What the actual—" |
Obvs, nothing goes the way you expect. Otherwise, what story? Dunk cleans Aerion’s clock and makes him withdraw his challenge/charge/whatevs. Dunk keeps life and limb. Baelor…doesn’t fare as well.
Which is the ultimate lesson.
The ultimate swordsman's greatest adversary isn’t some other swordsman. It’s the time of day, the footing of the battlefield, the guy who showed up with an ax/spear/club instead of a sword. The man determined to take what fate/birth order denied him. Or, the guy who’s scared to his very marrow but harnesses his unbridled terror into the fight because he has something to fight for.
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| Who wouldn't risk a right arm and leg for her? |
Big hearted, narrow in focus, and earnest as first love, AKSK is an absolute joy to watch. I highly recommend it. Last Samurai Standing is grittier, meaner, and absolutely as captivating as AKSK. Do yourself a favor and check them both out.
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