Game of Thrones S8E2: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”

Ninety years before the events of the series, Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) roamed Westeros with his trusty squire Aegon V Targaryen (Egg). Duncan is renowned for his loyalty and honor. Even Joffrey remarks in Season 4 how Duncan has 4 pages written about him in a history of the Knights of the Kingsguard. But as notable as his service to the King was, his dedication to the entire realm was even more laudable. He was a hedge knight, a protector of the common people.

If this reminds you of Brienne of Tarth, there’s more than just a thematic connection. According to George R.R. Martin himself, Brienne is a descendant of Ser Duncan. What’s more, the stories Martin wrote on Dunk and Egg were published in a collection called, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” the very title of this episode.

This is Game of Thrones at its best. When it is able to use its extensive and unprecedented world building to color uniquely human stories (even if they’re about dragons and White Walkers). Almost every scene and interaction in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” functioned this way. The episode wasn’t just an exhibition of great character development, it was a masterclass in the conclusion of character arcs. The key to its brilliance was the very thing I couldn’t stop complaining about in the last episode.

Do I still have concerns from Episode 1? Sure. We did finally learn that the Night King wants Bran. And it does make some sense. The White Walkers were created to wipe out men and Bran’s (still largely undefined) role seems to be as a keeper of human history. Still, why then did Bryndyn Rivers (the previous Three-Eyed Raven) allow the Night King to mark Bran? What was Bran doing all of the previous episode? What is Bran doing in general? Did Sam really need to pontificate on the importance of human history for a full minute? Wait, why is Sam at this war council in the first place? Why is Theon speaking at this war council? Why is Jaime at this war council?

But all of these nitpicks pale in comparison with the majesty of the episode’s overall brilliance. In a lot of ways, this episode actually covered pretty similar terrain as “Winterfell.” It was centered on meetings, reunions, and callbacks to past seasons. Yet, here the episode worked because the characters stayed true to their nature. Instead of acting toward the fulfillment of some plot point, the characters acted like themselves. The payoffs didn’t come from artificially created stakes. They came from the arcs of these characters reaching a natural peak after years of development.

The height of this episode, and maybe of Game of Thrones as a whole, was the Brienne and Jaime scene. It is undoubtedly one of the best scenes in the entire show’s history. From the moment we meet Brienne, we know that above all she values chivalry and honor. Over the course of seven seasons, we learn how these values have haunted her. How people have tormented her for not being a traditional Lady. And along the way, we also learn (with her) about Jaime. How despite his Kingslayer (Or Tormund’s “King Killer”) moniker, how despite pushing Bran out of a tower in the first episode, he does have a moral compass. He is perhaps even honorable. Jaime’s redemption is one of the great character arcs in any work of fiction.

So in this scene, it is not simply fan-service that Jaime knights Brienne. It is the culmination of each character’s development over years. It is the result of two people following their personal codes for multiple seasons and logically ending at this point. And along with Pod, Davos, Tormund, and Tyrion, we got to witness it. Even better, the show let us savor it. I couldn’t believe each time they returned to that room. It felt like a blessing to sit with this group of unlikely allies and just let the moment play out. It is a moment that no other show could possibly conceive. No other show would even have the history to make something like this work. But here, Thrones drew on its greatest strength and it paid off perfectly.

I love every easter egg and insane historical fact that comes up surrounding Thrones. Hearing “Jenny’s Song” was a thrill. To learn that Brienne is a descendant of Ser Duncan is wonderful. To have the title of this episode tie Brienne and her ancestor even closer together is a really nice touch. But if these flourishes are just for theorizing and misdirection, it doesn’t mean much. For Thrones to instead use it as the thematic foundation of this episode was special. It may have made for the most heartfelt episode in the show’s history.

Here’s the heartbreaking part: if next week keeps in line with the consequences so brilliantly executed here, there are going to be so so many deaths. Since I don’t have any more thoughts to give on the episode, let’s look at some of the characters we will likely be saying goodbye to:

1. Theon Greyjoy: Theon has either committed himself to death or will yet again flee from his duties at the worst possible moment. I don’t think anybody in the Thrones’ writers room (or any writers room ever) would be stupid enough to bring Theon back through eight fucking torturous seasons just to have him jump ship again. (Odds of death: 100%)


2. Greyworm: In the history of television no character has every laid out their plans for after the war and lived to actually enjoy them. Really pulling for Greyworm to defy the odds and see Zihuatanejo with Missandei. (100%)


3. Jorah Mormont: Jorah had the best episode of his character’s history. He gave selfless advice to Dany, he reunited with his good cousin Lyanna, and he received Heartsbane from Sam. All Jorah wanted was to be forgiven for the shame he had brought upon himself and his family. He has been. (99%)


4. Brienne of Tarth: Brienne had maybe the best episode for any character in Thrones history. This episode seems like the fondest farewell the show could have given her. Plus, Jaime needs a reason to go back and strangle Cersei. Is it because Brienne’s hit with an errant crossbow bolt from Bronn? Is it more simply because Brienne dies in a fight where Cersei refused to send troops? I hope we don’t find out. Still… (95%)


5. Beric Dondarian: I can’t imagine any other reason for Beric to show up this episode except to remind us he’s still here (see Ghost). And if you want to bet on anybody based on past performance, let me remind you that Beric has already died 6 times. I’m pretty confident we get number 7 here. One caveat would be if Beric has been kept around to give his life to another. In the books, it’s to Catelyn Stark. Could it be Tyrion here? (95%)


6. Tormund Giantsbane: Tormund really pulled out all the stops this episode. What a fucking delight. Alas, like Greyworm, not many characters lay out their entire history and hang around for much longer. Here’s to hoping Tormund fucks tradition and sticks around. (95%)


7. Lyanna Mormont: No offense to the Lady of Bear Island, but I didn’t like her chance of survival in a battle anyways. Having argued with good cousin Jorah…it looks tough. Would the show be cruel enough to do it? I think so. (90%)


8. Ser Davos Seaworth: Jesus Christ Davos, stop fucking telling everybody you’re not a fighter! We get it. Jeeze Louise. My eyes are welling up from these onions just thinking about it. (90%)


9. Podrick Payne: Pod looked good in the training yard. Did he look good enough? The song he chooses to sing isn’t exactly a happy one. (90%)


10. Dolorous Edd: Oh Edd. He can’t even get respect as Commander of the Night’s Watch. I think he’s going to die before he gets fucked. RIP Edd. (85%)


11. Ghost: Where have you been, Ghost! Please Thrones, if you don’t have the budget to keep Ghost on the show, okay. But if you use that budget for a Ghost wight that would be unforgivable. Please save our furry friend! (50%)


12. Tyrion Lannister: Something’s gotta give for Tyrion. He has been flat out terrible as Dany’s Hand. Meanwhile, this whole episode he’s oscillating between talking about his imminent death and then proclaiming that he thinks they’re going to make it. My prediction, he dies but is resurrected by Beric. A happy medium for his thought process. It could maybe redeem him or at least snap him out of this losing streak. Plus, if he is a Targaryen, he could join Dany and Jon as having been reborn. Seems pretty interesting to me! (30%)