A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Seven

Proof that you can pack in so much during a thirty minute episode. Not everything has to be an hour. Think back to the original GOT, the episodes were longer, but you had different POVs, and all of those stories were interesting. The complaint about HOTD is that it feels like the episodes drag on at times, which to me seems that people cannot get invested in certain parts of the story. This episode just starts strong, and never misses a beat. 

Okay, some of the cool stuff in the episode…

-Baelor coming in the end to stand with Dunk. Again, if you didn’t read the story, did that part just blow you away? I remember the first time reading it and nearly screaming out loud. Also, Dunk’s speech…very reminiscent of Tyrion’s trial speech. The tone, the performance (I mean, Peter Claffey must have watched that scene a few times in preparation).

-So many little things happening. The look on the face of Lord Ashford when he is told to pick up the walnut that Aerion drops. Fun fact, these Houses (Ashford, Fossoway) they belong to House Tyrell, and during Robert’s Rebellion they are loyal to House Targaryen…but I wonder, if the rebellion had started during this time period, would things have been different? This is neither here nor there, but I love the theory called Southern Ambitions (I think I have mentioned it before)…and if something like that was happening a generation earlier, I think Westeros would have been primed for a fall, but sadly most of those lords were squabbling with each other over this or that. 

-Steffon Fossoway…I do not like that asshole. Edward Ashley is the actor, and he does not have a ton of credits so far, but I think being a memorable character like Ser Steffon, oh wait, I am sorry, Lord Steffon, will open some doors for him. 

-Notice that Dunk did not knight Raymun. He seemed nervous (more hints that Dunk is not really a knight), but then Lyonel Baratheon stepped in to do it. I feel like Lord Lyonel is ready to kick some ass. 

-I loved the scene with Steely Pate. He gives Dunk the shield and says that he made it stronger for him, and only charges him a copper. The small-folk have each other’s back, and they love seeing someone like Dunk defend them against a jerk like Aerion. 

-Daeron’s Prophecy…I know a lot has been made about it. And for good reason (a giant dragon, dead on top of Dunk). Prophecy never goes the way we think, and it feels like this one could be similar. 

Okay,  we need to think about this fight…

Aerion, Daeron, Maekar, Ser Steffon Fossoway, and three members of the Kingsguard (Ser Willem Wylde, Ser Donnell of Duskendale, and Ser Roland Crakehall)

vs.

Duncan the Tall, Raymun Fossoway, Lyonel Baratheon, Prince Baelor, Ser Humfrey Beesbury, Ser Humfrey Hardyng, and Ser Robyn Rhysling.

There is strategy to this melee, and I wonder if the show will discuss it at first. Baelor can nullify the Kingsguard. He can engage all three of them, and they cannot harm him (meaning his best bet will be to attack whoever is the strongest, and let Lyonel go after who is next). Daeron has already said that he will take a dive for Ser Duncan. The rest just need to keep everyone busy so Dunk can face Aerion.