A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Just Changed Game Of Thrones Lore In A Major Way – SlashFilm

A falling star brings luck to those that see it, however spoilers do not. This text discusses main plot particulars from episode 3 of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and the “Hedge Knight” novella.

As a lot as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has efficiently cast its personal id, separate and distinct from both “Game of Thrones” or “Home of the Dragon,” its newest chapter goes again to a playbook we all know already works. Titled “The Squire” and formally marking the midway level of the season, episode 3 will primarily be remembered for dropping a surprising twist and lengthy overdue reveal. Sure, that is the second e book readers have been ready for: when our supposed squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) swoops in to the rescue of his cussed hedge knight Dunk (Peter Claffey) and at last declares his true id as Aegon Targaryen, the royal prince and youngest son of Maekar (Sam Spruell). However the different important second is a stunning divergence from the present’s supply materials, which can have all kinds of ramifications down the road.

Who would’ve thought this episodic little journey sequence would alter the franchise’s lore to this extent? Earlier within the hour, Dunk and Egg casually make their method by way of the tourney grounds and encounter a fortune teller. In keeping with her, Dunk will “know nice success and be richer than a Lannister” — exactly the type of vaguely optimistic response one would anticipate from a fraud. However when she turns to Egg, her prediction turns ominously particular. “You shall be king and die in a sizzling fireplace, and worms shall feed upon your ashes. And all who know you shall rejoice in your dying.”

Dunk laughs this off and the episode shortly strikes on, however the weird trade lingers … and for good purpose.

For many who have not learn creator George R.R. Martin’s three “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas and/or do not want to know the last word fates of those characters from different sources (primarily Martin’s “The World of Ice & Fireplace” e book), contemplate this your final likelihood to heed our spoiler warning and head for the hedges.

Nonetheless right here? Properly, let’s simply say we’re getting the sensation that neither Dunk nor Egg ever bothered to take a seat down and binge by way of “Game of Thrones.” Had they carried out so, they may’ve thought twice in regards to the perils of indulging in a whim like getting their fortunes learn within the newest episode of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” As a substitute, clearly in a temper to be amused, Dunk tells this specific fortune teller to do her factor and doubtlessly give them some insights into their destinies. Whereas Dunk’s was pretty innocuous (and never completely correct, primarily based on what we all know of his destiny from “Game of Thrones”), the identical cannot be mentioned for Egg’s.

Ever heard of the Tragedy at Summerhall? For a author seemingly obsessive about darkish and miserable tales, Martin’s canonical endpoint for each Dunk and Egg may truly take the cake. Many years down the road, Egg (er, make that King Aegon V Targaryen) turns into more and more obsessive about bringing dragons again from extinction. Egg hosts a household retreat on the Targaryen trip dwelling of Summerhall supposed to have a good time the approaching start of Egg’s nice-grandchild (Rhaegar Targaryen, who “Game of Thrones” revealed is Jon Snow’s father). What occurs subsequent remains to be shrouded in secrecy, however all we all know is {that a} devastating fireplace breaks out, each Dunk and Egg are among the many useless, and Westeros’ nobles aren’t too damaged up about it. Sound acquainted?

If anybody within the “Game of Thrones” universe begins spouting prophecies and fortunes at you, that is in all probability signal to begin operating in the other way. Subversive author that he’s, “A Track of Ice and Fireplace” creator George R.R. Martin has all the time delighted in tearing down style tropes and traditions. Regardless of a significant exception or two, the age-previous prophecy has been a selected goal of his, following a extra Shakespearean path of getting characters destroy themselves within the try to keep away from their fates.

We noticed this most pointedly again in season 5 of “Game of Thrones,” when a flashback gives a glimpse into Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey within the current, Nell Williams as a baby) and her motivations. When visiting an area woods witch often called Maggy the Frog (Jodhi Might), Cersei is given an unwelcome window into what awaits her down the road: that she’ll marry the king (although not Rhaegar, as she intends), that she’ll be queen sometime (however with a youthful and extra stunning one rising as much as overthrow her), and that she’ll outlive her personal youngsters. Naturally, this information units up her personal downfall.

May “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” be laying the groundwork for one thing related with Egg? It is a chilling thought, however one that might maybe play a extra subtler position within the seasons to return. That is surprising and odd sufficient for younger Egg to brush this apart within the second, although maybe it might eat away at him as he grows older. That grisly destiny will not be depicted anytime quickly, so we’ll have to attend and see.

New episodes of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” air each Sunday on HBO.