Episode 3 of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms raises the stakes as a bustling tournament gets underway and a long-teased secret finally surfaces. With the arrival of the Targaryens, the series begins to show its hand, blending spectacle with character-driven drama.
Dunk remains an unlikely hero. Towering over nearly everyone around him, he is physically imposing yet persistently gentle, often seeming unaware of his own size. As he prepares for the tournament, his nerves provide much of the episode’s humour, particularly given his obvious physical advantage over most of the field.
A Growing Gallery of Unsettling Knights
The cast of eccentric knights continues to expand. Following the debut of Lyonel «the Laughing Storm» Baratheon, the episode introduces Ser Robyn Rhysling, described by Egg as the most unhinged knight in the realm. Sporting a metal eye patch and a battered walking stick, Rhysling quickly establishes an unsettling presence with cryptic, war-obsessed declarations that suggest Dunk may soon face more than he can handle.
For now, Dunk is far from ready for battle. He lacks proper armour, has no shield and struggles to control his horse. Much of the episode instead focuses on his growing bond with Egg as they wander the town, drink and observe the brutal realities of the tournament. Despite the harshness of the setting, their camaraderie brings a sense of warmth and youthful optimism.
The day’s most shocking joust involves Prince Aerion «Brightflame» Targaryen, whose violent streak sets him apart even among his volatile family. Wearing a black skull helmet, Aerion wins his match by killing his opponent’s horse, sparking outrage from the crowd and leading to a grim execution carried out off screen.
Showrunner Ira Parker has said A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms pushed boundaries during these sequences, including staging what he describes as the first-ever night joust filmed for television or cinema. The production relied on elite professional riders to ensure realism and safety during the dangerous scenes.
Prophecy and Pressure
Later, the tone shifts when a fortune teller delivers a chilling prophecy to Egg, predicting both his rise to kingship and a fiery death. The moment plants unease beneath the episode’s lighter exchanges and foreshadows the revelation to come.
Dunk faces his own moral test when tournament officials pressure him to throw a fight for gambling profit. He refuses, clinging to a sense of honour that sets him apart in a world driven by cruelty and corruption. His innocence also blinds him to the true reason behind Egg’s unusual intelligence and confidence.
The episode’s climax confirms what readers of George R. R. Martin’s novellas have long known. Egg is no ordinary boy but a Targaryen in hiding. When Prince Aerion threatens a travelling puppeteer close to Dunk, Egg steps forward and commands the prince’s guards to stand down, revealing his royal authority.
Egg’s real name, Aegon, is left hanging as the episode ends on a cliffhanger. With his secret exposed and Dunk finally facing a worthy adversary, the series appears poised to move from quiet character study into open conflict.
The fourth episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be released on February 6.
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