Following the expansive political mess of ‘Game of Thrones’ and the dramatic nature of ‘House of the Dragon’, ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is pleasantly small. It showcased real Westeros, which means, unjust, and sometimes brutal, only this time it is smaller, warmer, and even a bit whimsical.
And, so, appropriately, the episodes are also shorter. The series is only eight episodes long, with about 30 minutes each, a dramatic structural change of the franchise. To certain fans, such brevity was a surprise. However, as showrunner Ira Parker explains, the choice was not accidental, and it was highly motivated by respect to the source material.
Why Dunk And Egg’s Story Works Better In 30 Minutes Format
Talking about the format, Parker clarified that the creative team was not interested in stretching the story. The novellas of Dunk and Egg are not epic, continent-spanning tales, but lean, character-driven adventures. Attempting to stretch them out to hour-long episodes with subplots would run the risk of losing their appeal.
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“We weren’t stretching, We weren’t doing any strange side quests with Dunk and Egg. We wrote it as if George had written a 300-page book,” he told GQ. “One of Martin’s big concerns with this being a faithful adaptation is that it just does not stretch out to that level.” That philosophy is said to have comforted Martin himself, who has always been a guardian of faithful adaptations.
HBO promised that this would not be another instance of stretching a small story to the point of unrecognition. Rather, the show celebrates its size. No unnecessary detours. No political mazes. Just Dunk (Peter Claffey), Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), and the streets of Westeros. And honestly? Something is refreshing about that restraint.
‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Is A Smaller Story With A Bigger Heart
The thing that makes ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ so special is not spectacle, but texture. The series is full of puppet shows that dramatize Westerosi legends, and songs that remind Martin of his affection for in-world music. It is full of little details that make the world seem inhabited. The more concise episodes also make the emotional heart of the story: the developing relationship between Dunk and Egg.
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Their quest is not so much about the reformation of kingdoms but about their own development, honor, and friendship. Even the elements that are expanded, such as a more significant role of Lyonel Baratheon, are additive instead of bloated. Naturally, the tradeoff is that the viewers might want to have more time in this softer part of Westeros.
One can just imagine spending hours and hours watching Dunk and Egg go through tournaments and taverns. However, perhaps that’s the point. The season is something that makes you wish you had more. ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ is a franchise that has been characterized by excess, whether in length, violence, or politics. However, it also demonstrates that less is indeed more.
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