Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers!

Though typical for the “Game of Thrones” franchise, be aware of graphic content in this week’s episode, as Episode 2 starts with almost immediate full-frontal nudity.

After this, the episode continues with a flashback from Dunk’s life as a squire for Ser Arlan, as Dunk searches for people who could corroborate his story of being Ser Arlan’s squire. 

Much to my excitement, the main focus of this episode is the arrival of the princes of the royal Targaryen family and the issues that arise with their arrival. After continuing the last episode’s interrogation of lords at the tourney, Dunk happens upon a conversation with the royal family at Ashford, where Prince Baelor Targaryen recalls that he does, in fact, remember Ser Arlan from jousting against him in his younger years. 

Also briefly introduced in this episode is Tanselle, a puppeteer at the Ashford Meadows tourney played by Tanzyn Crawford. I find it really refreshing to see a person of color as a potential love interest, specifically a Black woman. In “Game of Thrones,” Black women and characters only appeared in relation to slavery or poverty. In fact, the lack of diversity in “Game of Thrones” was so pertinent that George R. R. Martin himself addressed it in 2014, stating, “Westeros around 300 AC is nowhere near as diverse as 21st century America, of course … but with that being said, I do have some ‘characters of color’ who will have somewhat larger roles in WINDS OF WINTER [the sixth book in the Game of Thrones novel series]. Admittedly, these are secondary and tertiary characters, though not without importance.”

As mentioned in last week’s article, so far, many elements of the show, especially the cinematography, are much different compared to “Game of Thrones.” 

“Game of Thrones” featured some of the most visually complex and interesting scenes I have seen in fantasy television, with singular episodes like “Battle of the Bastards” featuring multiple scenes that went viral for their spectacular composition. Though “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has a lot to live up to in terms of visual appeal, it is currently doing pretty well. For example, out of all of the few jousting and tournament scenes in “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” I have never seen such an interesting way of portraying them like this episode did, where the camera follows the lance very closely, as if it were its own subject, as it drives into the competitor’s opponent. 

The comedy of the show definitely becomes central in this episode, with things like Dunk immediately getting on his knees to apologize to Prince Baelor for correcting the prince about the details of the memory he recalled. Claffley perfectly embodies the awkwardness of Dunk even further when he almost embarrasses himself in a moment with Tanselle until Egg jumps in, noticing the awkwardness. 

It is very exciting to see Dunk portrayed as this really awkward and socially inept/oblivious character, as most of the main characters throughout the “Game of Thrones” franchise are typically really strong, bold, and powerful in their personality, demeanor, and actions. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that fantasy tales surround a protagonist knight who is essentially socially inadequate. “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” deviates from the trope of heroic, charming knights, likely popularized by the tales of Sir Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, through the depiction of Dunk. 

Episode 3, “The Squire,” releases on HBO Max on February 1, 2026. Check out the next installment of “Foxes Talk Television” reviewing episode three next week.