Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may not have the sheer scale of other Westeros series, using its main character, Ser Dunk the Tall (Peter Claffey), to explore the struggles of a hedge knight. After the premiere introduced the major players and brought Dunk and his precocious squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), together, Episode 2, “Hard Salt Beef,” continues to build the story, with Dunk betting everything on his success in the tourney. The latest installment brings in even more fascinating characters, including a new generation of Targaryens; yet even with a chaotic joust at the end, the episode moves slowly, following Dunk through each step of his preparation, despite the season having only four episodes left.
Dunk Earns the Attention of a Targaryen in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2
Since he’s still not officially allowed to participate in the tourney, Dunk searches for someone to vouch for him, telling various lords about the knight he previously served, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). Though Arlan had no accomplishments to speak of, Dunk emphasizes his kind and peaceful nature, determination, and lightheartedness. Unfortunately, no one remembers the old man. This is disheartening for Dunk, but he does have Egg, who insists on remaining by his side while he recounts the story of Arlan’s death over and over, showing how he cares for Dunk even though they’ve only just met. Egg believes there is another way to handle the predicament and suggests Dunk join the lists anyway. However, when the banners of the Targaryen princes pass, Dunk seems to have an idea.
While Egg returns to their camp under the tree, Dunk goes to the stables to watch Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel) and Prince Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell) arrive. Unfortunately, that puts him in the path of Aerion (Finn Bennett), a particularly rude Targaryen prince, who mistakes Dunk for a servant and insults him. However, Dunk is the one who calms Aerion’s horse after it kicks a man in the face. After the awkward encounter, two members of the Kingsguard, Ser Roland of Crakehall (Wade Briggs) and Ser Donnel of Duskendale, introduce themselves to Dunk. Donnel, in particular, interests Dunk as he reveals that he is not the son of a lord, but a crabber, suggesting that not all the well-respected knights are nobility.
After the Kingsguard departs, Dunk follows a servant into the castle, learning that two of Prince Maekar’s sons are missing. Outside the room, he overhears the brothers discussing Daeron, but Maekar notices him and accuses him of spying. With no excuses, Dunk enters and continues his conversation with Plummer (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) from the previous episode, explaining that no one will vouch for him. But, to everyone’s surprise, Baelor recognizes Arlan’s name. Though Dunk awkwardly corrects Baelor’s version of his joust against the hedge knight, the prince is kind about it. In the end, Dunk gets the King’s heir to vouch for him, which allows him to join the tourney, though Baelor does point out that Dunk will need his own sigil for his event. Although the Targaryens’ introductions are quick, Episode 2 gives the audience a clear understanding of the princes, despite how different they are from each other.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Timeline Explained: Where Dunk and Egg Fit in ‘Game of Thrones’ History
The ‘Game of Thrones’ series is not told chronologically.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 Gives Dunk a New Shield
With his spot secure, Dunk must gather his supplies. He takes Egg to the puppet show he saw in the previous episode, watching the story of Florian the Fool before getting the chance to introduce himself to the performer, Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford). Dunk asks her to paint a new sigil on his shield, and though she is willing, he hesitates when she asks what it should be, knowing only that he wants the colors to mimic a sunset. Egg jumps in to help, saying it should be an elm tree, and Dunk adds a shooting star. Though he successfully gets a new sigil, the interaction is not entirely a success because Dunk utterly fails when trying to flirt with Tanselle. It seems to be a common theme with him; well-meaning as he may be, he isn’t great with emotional conversations. He does the same thing when Egg confesses that he’s always called short for his age. Dunk commiserates, saying people often refer to him as stupid, but fails to give the boy any real advice. This time, he’s saved when Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings) calls for his help in a tug-of-war match, which Dunk wins for him.
Dunk’s next requirement — a suit of armor — isn’t as easy to gather. He finds a shop owned by Steely Pate (Youssef Kerkour). The man’s prices are too high, but Pate takes pity on Dunk and agrees to lower the cost in exchange for Arlan’s armor to use for metal. To make up the remaining cost, Dunk is forced to sell one of the horses that Arlan left him. He takes Sweetfoot to the stables, promising to buy her back with his winnings. After that loss, Dunk continues to convince himself of how the tourney could change his life. He tells Egg that if he is even briefly a champion, he could get employment from a great house. When Egg questions the likelihood of that, Dunk tells him about Donnel, but rather than being impressed, Egg reveals that Donnel’s family owns half of Westeros’ crabbing fleet, which still makes him a rich man. While it’s interesting to see Dunk and Egg make their way through the festivities while Dunk prepares for the tourney, it marks a slow pace for a season that is already short to begin with.
The Tourney Begins in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2
In the last ten minutes of the episode, Dunk, Egg, and everyone else gather to watch the first joust of the tourney. In the crowd, Dunk hoists Egg up on his shoulders so the boy can see. The first competitors consist of highborn lords, from Prince Valarr Targaryen (Oscar Morgan) and Lyonel Baratheon to the member of House Tully who bites the head off a fish for applause. They face off five at a time, splintering their lances and falling from horses. It is an epic scene, especially as it impacts both main characters. Egg watches squires who are all much bigger than him rushing to hand off weapons to their knights. Meanwhile, Dunk panics in the chaos, seeing just how fierce his competition is. Though it’s quick, the joust is an exciting addition to the episode, full of action while focusing on Dunk and Egg.
That evening, Egg listens patiently as Dunk contemplates his perspective on Arlan, admitting that he wasn’t the great knight Dunk imagined him to be. Knowing the man who trained him wasn’t a gifted fighter makes Dunk question his own chances, but he also loves Arlan for raising him like his own son. Dunk acknowledges that he is Ser Arlan’s legacy and hopes that, as such, he can show all the lords who forgot Arlan just who the old hedge knight really was.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.
- Release Date
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January 25, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Ira Parker
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Peter Claffey
Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall
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Pros & Cons
- Episode 2 continues to develop a lovable dynamic between the show’s two leads.
- By introducing three important Targaryens, Episode 2 establishes vivid and distinct characters.
- The chaotic joust adds exciting action to Episode 2.
- With only four episodes left, the series needs more momentum.
